Belated first race back

So, I skipped the 5k IBM race.  Mark my no-show down due to lack of sleep from nerves (ie, put too much pressure on myself that I needed to run xx:xx time, even after I wrote here that I would not do that).  Yeah, lame, I know.

Anyhow, I managed to get my butt out of bed today for the Run for the Water 5k.  I was able to do so because this time I seriously told myself, "it does not matter how fast/slow I run, gotta start somewhere."  I forgot my watch at home, which turned out to be a good thing, because doing so allowed me to completely run on feel.  And that is what I did, ran a nice and relaxed 20:20 5k.  I felt pretty good throughout, only slight issue was I struggled w/ breathing a bit in the last mile.  Could be cuz the last mile was uphill...and of course could also be from little-to-no uptempo running for 2+ years.

Until next time.

Shocker, this blog is still accessible

I have been meaning to return to my blog site the last few days, what w/ a summer of regular running under my belt.  Once I made it here today, I skimmed the last post I made, and it was good for a chuckle.  I was optimistic about a return to running at that time in my writing, but in reality there were other factors at play which brought my quasi-comeback attempt to an abrupt halt less than a month from the date of that last post.

Fast forward to today, and I am less than a week away from toeing the line for the first time in ~ 2 years.  Matter of fact, I will run the same race (IBM), which was the last before being injured in 2010.  Though, I will only cover the 5k distance next Sunday.  Truth be told, I am not in shape to race-race.  I have been running all summer, but prior to that, basically did no exercise for the prior six months.  And I have not done any real quality training.  So suffice to say I don't really have any expectations other than to set a baseline and see where I am.  If I go under 21 minutes and am comfortable, the day will have been a good one. 

Hopefully, I won't be such a stranger here going forward.

The hiatus is over

Well, at least I hope it has ended.

It seems like it has been ages since I last wrote here, so here's quick summary of my not so eventful running life over the last 4 months.  July through Oct 25th, I continued with easy paced runs, 3-4 days per week.  My primary goal during this time period was to get where I could confidently run without any sort of pain.  In addition, and somewhat in the same vein, I wanted strengthen my lower abdominal and groin areas.  Slow, relaxed runs, in which I gradually increased the amount of time on my feet, were the constant call for the former and countless hours in the gym served as the framework for the latter.  I should go into more detail about what went into my comeback running and gym efforts, but will save those topics for a later date.

Moving along, I met up with Carmen Ayala-Troncoso's training group to resume training on October 25th.  Well, I should caveat the previous sentence, because my only training goal at this point to regain a level of fitness to train, if that makes sense.  I am definitely not training for a race in 2011.  I will run the remainder of the year with Carmen's group and hope to be shape to train/race in earnest come 1.1.2012.  That written, I may or may not run a time trial in the next few weeks to set a somewhat official fitness baseline.  Again, that is another post.

Speaking of Carmen, she has been great to-date.  The knowledge/wisdom she displayed over the last three weeks has really blown me away.  I am really happy to be part of her group.

Over & out until the next time.

Running is getting easier

Yep, it shore is.

Over the past couple of weeks, my body seems to have really acclimated to this running thing.  I am moving a little faster, more fluidly, and the mental confidence is increasing.  Aerobically, I still have work to do.  But that piece will come soon.

Ran three times this past week, and I hit the track after two of those runs to grab some drills/form running.  I am going to continue w/ the 3-a-week routine for the rest of the month and then reassess.  Stay tuned.

Google+ - How does it work?

Being new to social networking, I don't have the answer.  But - I will let you know once I do. :-)

7.5 months since the pubic stress fracture diagnosis

I have been meaning to revive the blog, but, hmm, just have not had the motivation.  Let's see if I can get back into the blog-a-logging.

Where did I leave off?  Don't remember and not really important, but I am sure enough "back to running."  Only two days a week, however, both of those days have been pain free to date.  Yesh!  This past Saturday I ran for an hour, make that 56 min to be precise, and 3/4 of the time I was on the Barton Creek Greenbelt (gasp!).   Great times!

So - I am going to finish out the month w/ the twice a week routine, and in July, we shall see if the ole bones can handle an additional day.  I like my odds.

Running update

On Saturday, I ran one mile - continuous.  Nothing hurt during, but I was a little achy in the groin afterward.  Today, I ran for 10 min.  No issues at all - well, except some lower back pain from pwr cleans and core work yesterday.   I even passed what I call the "squeeze test" post-run.  That is, putting something like a TP block between the legs and doing 10 reps of "squeezing both legs together for one sec and then release." FYI, the groin pain has been the slowest thing to heal, and as of a couple weeks ago, it even seems to have mostly dissipated. Digression, I do believe I will take it!

The slow, methodical recovery comeback forges on...