Monday, May 26, 2014

Step, Ouch, Step, Ouch...

Sorry, but this will be a painful post.

After those two races last weekend, my heel has been killing me more than ever. That's quite a lot of hurt.

Gave myself an easy day, and then tried to run a three-a-day last Tuesday. I did manage to run three times - morning, lunchtime, and on the track that evening - but they weren't pretty to say the least. And each was more painful than the previous one. Then, after another very painful run - a thirteen miler heading as far as Chesterland, the one where I was really doing the Step, Ouch, Step, Ouch thing -  I finally decided to get some medical attention.

I'm not even sure this is the normal PF that I've had on and off for so many years. The pain is different now - it doesn't ease as I run more and loosen up as it used to. And it's located more in the back of my heel instead of underneath. Running fast seems to irritate it the most, but running far doesn't help either. My appointment is for a week from now. Stay tuned.

Today's annual Quickie 2-mile wasn't as terrible as I thought it would be. I was expecting more extreme pain, and it wasn't all that awful. I finished in a not-so-speedy 14:43. I can handle not-so-speedy so long as it goes along with not-so-painful as it did today.

Hope springs eternal.

Here I am at the Quickie, trying very hard to not get passed by Steve Combs pushing his
TWO kids in a stroller. Thanks to John McCarroll for the photo.





Monday, May 19, 2014

King of the 5K

So far this year, I've run three 5K races. But if you count Sunday's 10K as two 5's... Maybe we should simply say that I've done my share of the short stuff. And not much of the long. And I'm okay with that. I'm also okay with progress, such as it is. Each of the 5K's was progressively faster, although not by as much as I would have liked. The 10K was about as expected, based on everything else.

Saturday's Hy-5 was fun, and although it was the day before the Cleveland Marathon, it was bigger than I thought it would be. Wifey Debbie, Daughter Veronica, Son-in-Law Barry and the kidlets were all on hand. I thought I'd just walk with everyone and help push the stroller, since I had the 10K the next day. But I made a last minute decsion to run after all. Debbie and Veronica, who didn't mind, would take turns pushing, and Barry would run as well.

It rained both before and after the race, but we were lucky to stay dry during the actual run. It was flat, fast and fun. After a rough first mile, I settled into a decent pace and finished strong with - finally - a decent sub-seven final mile. My time was 22:06, good (although I use that term loosely) for second in my age group.

Sunday's 10K was a different story. Because of the associated Cleveland Marathon, it was big, expensive and quite the hassle for such a relatively short race. On the other hand, it was nice to see so many runners, including several friends, bringing downtown Cleveland alive. This time the sky was clear, but it was cool again with temperatures in the upper forties; perfect for running.

Once again, the first mile was rough. It seems that getting my breathing down right takes some time and practice. The next couple miles were also not the greatest, but the final few were better. I don't know why this is; I just eventually get to my most efficient self. Too bad it takes a while.

46:27, good, this time, for third in my age group. I missed second by about four seconds.

Thursday, May 15, 2014

Hinckley History (Now I've Really Done It)


Now I’ve really done it: extracted all of the runs I’ve done on the Hinckley 9 mile course. In so doing, I am certifying my total insanity. Sorry..

Log ID
Date
Time
Description of Run
1
1/31/2010
77.5
Cold run at Hinckley with Brian. Hills were tough in the cold.
2
2/21/2010
76.5
I was sore, but managed to keep up with the fast crowd, so this was a good one! I'm also catching a cold.
3
3/7/2010
89
This was almost 10 minute pace. I ran with Scott and Michele, who didn't mind that pace. I wasn't too sore, but I sure was tired.
4
3/14/2010
84
this was a slow run of the loop, but faster than last week. Not so bad.
5
3/20/2010
81.5
not too bad - one of the better runs on this course. With Debbie, Debbie, Brad.
6
3/21/2010
80.5
I arrived early to do this Hinckley loop by myself. Not bad.
7
3/21/2010
79.5
This time it was with the group, mostly Greg. Just slightly better than the first round. First time I did it twice.
8
4/11/2010
74
The big loop around the lake with the gang. This was pretty tough after yesterday's race and today's early running. Still a PR however. I think.
9
4/25/2010
77
with the whole gang. Tough run on the hills.
10
4/25/2010
77
second big loop - wasn't sure I would make it, but I did. Not bad at all.
11
5/2/2010
79
first loop with Connie and Bob. Pretty easy going.
12
5/2/2010
77.5
second loop with Debbie and Debbie - Connie and Bob were ahead by a bit. Not bad.
13
5/2/2010
77.5
third loop by myself - way behind Connie and Bob. Still not bad, but it was tough
14
5/9/2010
78.5
an early loop with Debbie
15
5/30/2010
77.5
First big loop with Debbie. Not bad.
16
5/30/2010
90
later loop with the rest of the gang. Sure didn't feel that slow.
17
6/6/2010
82
Surprizingly good considering yesterday. I was at my best for the last few miles.
18
6/13/2010
78.5
this time it was the full loop with the rest of the bunch. Some bugs, but not nearly as bad - must have been the hour. Good run considering the distance and yesterday's race.
19
7/11/2010
83
A pretty decent early loop around the lake with Debbie, Scott, Michele. Fairly easy going.
20
7/11/2010
70.5
A much faster second loop with Mandy Yates and a couple of the guys. One of the fastest on this course. Pretty darn good running.
21
7/18/2010
82
first loop with Scott. Not too bad.
22
7/18/2010
67.5
MUCH faster loop with Brian and Mandy. Pretty sure this is a PR. Really tough in the heat/humiltiy.
23
8/8/2010
70.5
1st loop with Mandy. Pretty good.
24
8/8/2010
76.5
second loop with Debbie, finish with Ladd. Last two were very fast.
25
9/26/2010
72
felt like I was flying running with Mandy. Good run considering yesterday.
26
10/24/2010
76
1st loop at 5:30 with Jess - not too bad
27
10/24/2010
74.5
second Hinckley loop with Jess and Lee. A bit better.
28
10/27/2010
72
A really good solid hilly run with Dave.
29
11/3/2010
72.5
good hill running with Dave. Pretty cold out!
30
11/7/2010
71.5
first loop was fast with Mandy
31
11/7/2010
83
second loop with Jack, Dan D., Brad and Michelle. Slower, but at least I finished fast
32
11/14/2010
89
with Brian.
33
11/28/2010
78
pretty good running with Lee and Jack.
34
12/19/2010
78.5
not too bad - I ran by myself in the opposite direction - kept a steady pace
35
12/22/2010
72
first lap was fast with Mandy
36
12/22/2010
82
second lap with Debbie and Ladd. A little slower, but still a good one.
37
12/26/2010
79.5
good run in Hinckley with Brad. Not easy with the snow and wind.
38
1/2/2011
1:16:00
partially with Mandy, then she left me at Ledge hill. Not a bad run considering yesterday
39
1/9/2011
1:14:00
MUCH faster the second time around. Tried to keep up with Connie and Bob, but only did for half the run. Not bad in the cold however.
40
1/9/2011
1:26:00
brrrr. But nice run with Dan, Jack, Michele and Debbie
41
1/16/2011
1:21:00
first loop with Dan, Jack. 2nd half was pretty good
42
1/16/2011
1:24:00
2nd loop with Debbie, Michelle, Ladd, Dan, Jack. Steady.
43
1/23/2011
1:25:00
first loop at 4am. Tough going in the snow and wind.
44
1/23/2011
1:30:30
colder and snowier still. This time with the bunch at 7am. Tough to finish, but I made it.
45
1/23/2011
1:27:30
getting colder and snowier for second loop at 5:30. not to mention slower
46
1/30/2011
1:18:30
better second loop with Jess
47
1/30/2011
1:25:30
first loop. Not too bad.
48
2/6/2011
1:21:00
second loop with Dan, Jack. Finished strong, but felt like I was flying so the time shoulds bin better. Sloppy footing didn't help.
49
2/6/2011
1:23:00
first loop with Jack, Michelle. Finished strong
50
2/13/2011
1:21:00
the third loop with the gang was still good. Stopping for gu at half-way helped a lot!
51
2/13/2011
1:22:00
second loop with Jack. A little slower, but not bad at all
52
2/13/2011
1:20:30
got there at 4am for this one. It was tough to get moving, but then ok.
53
2/20/2011
1:18:30
third loop with the group really good, although second half was slower
54
2/20/2011
1:22:00
 second loop with Jack. Still not bad
55
2/20/2011
1:20:00
first loop at 4am. Not bad
56
2/27/2011
1:21:00
didn't wakeup for 4am loop - this was at 5:30 with Jack and Michelle
57
2/27/2011
1:15:30
7am loop with Jack. I took off after Effie and did well to do the last 3 at tempo pace. Best (finish) in a while
58
3/12/2011
1:14:00
second loop, also with Dave. Still very good.
59
3/12/2011
1:12:30
good running with Dave on 1st loop
60
3/13/2011
1:28:00
another slow loop, but more fun with Jack and Wendy
61
3/13/2011
1:26:00
first loop alone. Not so good.
62
4/23/2011
1:16:30
first loop with Dave
63
4/23/2011
1:18:30
second loop was a bit slower, but I'm happy to have it in.
64
4/24/2011
1:21:30
decent enough run in the cool rain with the bunch. Pretty shot for the start of the second loop though.
65
5/7/2011
1:20:30
ran the old Hinckley Hills with the gang and felt good.
66
5/28/2011
1:21:00
First loop with Debbie and Michelle. It was slow, but still difficult for me.
67
5/28/2011
1:17:30
second loop with Dave. It was tough too, but at least it was faster.
68
5/29/2011
1:28:30
Slow going with the gang today. I had planned to take the day off, but this was better than nothin.
69
6/26/2011
1:23:00
this run felt slow, but the time wasn't as bad as expected. with several MCRR folks.
70
7/10/2011
1:23:00
first loop with Brad, Michelle, Jack. not too bad.
71
7/10/2011
1:17:30
second loop with Debbie. much faster. felt pretty good. getting warmer.
72
7/17/2011
1:20:00
first loop: not too bad. extremely humid
73
7/17/2011
1:16:00
second loop with Dan- faster!
74
7/30/2011
1:23:00
tough going with the gang in high humidity
75
7/30/2011
1:16:00
much faster second loop with Dave. humidity was even worse
76
8/20/2011
1:20:00
first loop with the bunch. not bad
77
8/20/2011
1:15:00
second loop with Dave. better.
78
10/2/2011
1:19:30
pretty decent run with Jack. maybe I'm turning the corner.
79
10/16/2011
1:23:00
first loop with Jack
80
10/16/2011
1:19:30
second loop with Brian. it was faster, but it felt MUCH faster.
81
10/23/2011
1:20:00
Good first loop with Ladd, Jeannine. Cool morning felt good. 2 shooting stars.
82
10/23/2011
1:21:00
Second loop alone. Not too bad, but I was pushing it. Felt like faster.
83
10/28/2011
1:20:30
pretty good run with Debbie and Michelle
84
11/25/2011
1:20:00
decent run with Dave.
85
12/18/2011
1:25:00
Not bad running with Michelle and Jack
86
12/24/2011
1:17:00
fast first loop with Dave and Debbie
87
12/24/2011
1:19:30
second loop with Dave. A little slower, but still very good
88
12/26/2011
1:20:30
seemed like much faster. I did do at least some fast running to call it a fartlek run
89
1/8/2012
1:24:00
Still suffering with sinus infection. Could've been worse.
90
1/15/2012
1:25:30
fairly slow going with Michelle. Cold day. Sinus' a bit better.
91
1/22/2012
1:14:30
Just about killed me. Tough to stay in step with Pete, Frank and Debbie. But I did it. Happy to have it done.
92
1/28/2012
1:17:30
Good Hinckley Hill run with Dave. Snow made it challenging.
93
1/29/2012
1:13:30
Best one of these in a long time.
94
1/30/2012
1:19:00
Decent enough start to this long run. Did this one alone. The ice was bad.
95
1/30/2012
1:26:30
Second loop with Debbie. Much slower, but okay.
96
3/4/2012
1:26:30
Hey - I did a loop (with Jack). Slow but happy to have it done!
97
3/4/2012
1:30:30
Couldn't get much slower, but I was thrilled to do two. Again with Jack.
98
3/18/2012
1:21:00
Pretty good run through a storm with the gang
99
3/25/2012
1:12:30
Well that was fast. Almost killed me.
100
3/25/2012
1:24:30
Second loop - much slower, but I'm still happy with it. Fun stuff.
101
4/8/2012
1:23:30
first loop - slow, but okay
102
4/8/2012
1:25:30
second loop - better than expected
103
4/15/2012
1:20:00
decent time for first lap
104
4/15/2012
1:26:00
second loop was a little slower. pretty tired. not bad however.
105
4/22/2012
1:30:00
106
4/24/2012
1:21:00
pretty decent run with Dave. I think I'm recovering.
107
4/29/2012
1:21:30
First loop with the bunch. Not bad.
108
4/29/2012
1:18:30
Second loop with Brian - better.
109
5/2/2012
1:23:00
real early first loop - not bad
110
5/2/2012
1:24:00
second loop with the gang - not too bad
111
5/2/2012
1:26:00
third loop - a little slower, but still ok
112
5/13/2012
1:23:30
surprisingly okay run with a few friends
113
6/3/2012
1:24:00
Good Hinckley running for lap 1
114
6/3/2012
1:21:30
good second loop. toe hurts, but other stuff better.
115
6/10/2012
1:19:00
good first loop with a fast finish
116
6/10/2012
1:25:30
Slower second loop. still okay
117
6/24/2012
1:28:00
slower than expected. and look at that weight!!
118
7/8/2012
1:25:00
slow going with Michelle. ok though
119
7/9/2012
1:43:00
could not wake up
120
8/4/2012
1:19:30
Not too bad for the first lap
121
8/4/2012
1:17:00
Better for second half. Good running today!
122
8/19/2012
1:27:30
easy does it run with the gang (they waited for me) still a lot of pain
123
9/2/2012
1:28:00
with friends. least pain in a while, so not bad
124
9/5/2012
1:20:00
best in a long time - with Dave
125
11/4/2012
1:18:30
Pretty fast run with Debbie and the group
126
11/4/2012
1:19:30
Another good one with the group. Altogether much better than expected today!
127
11/11/2012
1:29:00
Very easy does it run with Michelle and Jack. Actually tougher than it shoulda been.
128
12/16/2012
1:20:00
I was tremendously out of breath and had to walk effie. THEN, my knee hurt - bad. Is it the Hokas?
129
2/23/2013
1:21:30
much better run with a strong final 3 miles
130
6/22/2013
1:24:00
First of these in a while. With some MCRR friends. Felt ok.
131
6/29/2013
1:20:00
Nice solid run with Dave
132
8/17/2013
1:15:30
very fast and hard run with the group. but I was still up for more.
133
8/17/2013
1:17:00
a bit slower for 2nd loop with Will. only a bit.
134
11/17/2013
1:21:00
Great run with the bunch. Felt good!
135
12/21/2013
1:14:00
Excellent pace on this soggy run with Will, Renee, Brian B.
136
1/19/2014
1:24:00
First loop - not bad
137
1/19/2014
1:32:00
2nd loop - way slower. at least no knee pain
138
2/23/2014
1:22:30
Slow start, but good run overall! Some ice.
139
3/16/2014
1:30:30
Not bad, but it was pretty slow. With Rick
140
5/3/2014
1:18:30
good run on the hills with Dave