Run #5 and #6- Fine and Ugly

Run #5 on Saturday went well enough. Nice and cool morning around the neighborhood, and only a few spots where I needed to stop. The only real downside was that my left knee was aching. Fortunately, I discovered a knee brace I forgot that I had.

Run #6- brutal. It felt hot and I only managed a 12 minute mile. I was out for an hour and covered the same amount of ground as I normally have done. I pushed through the pain of the left knee, which turned to a dull ache for most of the run. I only really stopped to tie up my shorts and to just catch my breath. My endurance was challenged more than usual. When I returned home I discovered that a 55 minute excursion had no real extra milage. Today was disappointing. I suppose I should get used to that. Not even the sunniest day can offer a stellar accomplishment each and every time. Today can suck it, training-wise. I have only myself to blame.

Onward, and upward.

Run #4- Done good today

I went a little further today. Probably 4.5 miles arounf the neighorhood. I had to stop at traffic lights, but not for long. The snow is melting and temperature hung around the 50 degree mark. The shorts were on, the trails clear and the snow piles were melting. I managed a pretty good pace, and felt less winded afterwards.

Next planned run is Saturday morning. Rumor has it we'll hit 70. Rumors...

Run #3: insights plus!

I repeated my route #1- did a little better in the endurance department. I would have run last night after work, but a late April snowstorm prevented a safe route to run. Plus, who wants to go out in that crap?

I remembered my former running instincts that helped me push through today:

1. Let the mind wander.
2. Keep a straight back and defy gravity (avoid that sinking, lead foot feeling).
3. Use the arms to swing gently forward, propelling each stride a little. Let them hang loose enough without tension, but allowing enough form to keep the sway uniform (like a train).

These informal tricks of the trade brought back the notion that I can do this. I'll need all the help I can get- Eagan is pretty damn hilly. A perfect proving ground for the marathon.

Run #2

As sunny as Saturday can be, it is still pretty damn cold. Which is fine. I run better in colder weather, stay cooler and my core temperature increases at a substantially lower rate, of course. This was evidenced in a run I had around Lake Calhoun about 15 years ago- bitter cold with no one else around on a bitter cold December night. I could have run forever.

Too bad I'm not 15 years younger.

Today had a better result than Run #1 - same route only in reverse. I felt a groove about halfway, but I am still pretty sensitive to even slight increases in elevation. My body is still a little angry at me, but getting more used to the idea. I stopped twice at precarious intersections, and most of the way was running streetside. No car horns blaring, so that was a plus.

This is also for Lu

Lu Lingzi lost her life too last Monday. She was a Boston University grad student, and mourned by friends both in Boston and her native China.

Run #1

Long story short...


I've run two marathons previously. The first one was to do it for the sake of doing it. It was brutal and an unprecedented 92 degrees out. But I finished. The second in the following year went much better; much more enjoyable, cooler and a half hour quicker.


My third attempt had no purpose, and I quit during my training and fell into a 2 year funk, and a fair amount of my time and energy was spent feeling sorry for myself.


Yesterday woke me up. 3 dead and countless wounded by a couple of bombs at the Boston Marathon finish line. Amputations, devastation and an 8 year old boy gone by unknown assailants. I've officially run out of excuses.


Today, I put on my running shoes and my stinky Minnesota Vikings longsleeve shirt and went for a run. It was actually sunny today for a change. April 16th and there's still snow on the ground. The grey days are still around, but it feels as though these will be limited soon enough.


It has been nearly 2 full years since I've been out there. And it felt like it. My legs feel like rubber after a 4 mile ordeal. I may have managed a 12 minute mile, and stopped once just to walk off that bandy-legged feel for a few blocks. I am 2 years older, most definitely.


But now I have purpose. I'm running for Krystle Campbell, who went to take pictures with her friend yesterday. And for Martin Richard, who was with his family at the finish line. And for the 3rd victim, who I don't believe was identified as of yet. And for the ones who have suffered losses that day I just can't imagine.


I'm going to find a fundraising opportunity to help those people. My life may seem as though it sucks for the most part right now, but I really don't know what really sucks. What sucks is losing a leg, or a foot, or a loved one. I have no excuses anymore. I have to do this, because I can do this.

Why I'm finally up to it