A Long Run Back

Excuse The Excuse

June 2, 2022 / / 1 Comment

This post has been half written in my head for over a week now. Life happens.

As has happened so many times before, work threw off my cycle with a couple days that started early, and a couple that went late. Yes, this was my excuse.

Since my last post, I ran 2 miles and was full of excitement about getting back to running, and getting this site together. This site is my accountability (I will talk more about this in another post in the near future).

“Your rest days are just as important as your hard workouts.”

I wasn’t able to get myself out the door again until Friday morning when had take the day off to start a 4 day weekend with plans of being active throughout. A 3 mile run was probably a bit more than I should have, based on the 10% rule which states that increases (time or distance) should be held to 10%. This is not a hard and fast rule, and especially for ”shorter” distances, this can seen negligible. This was, however, my longest run since mid-December of last year. It brought with it a feeling of pride that I was able to get back on track, which has been a big part of the problem for me over the past couple years.

Saturday and Sunday both started off with a bike ride with a friend. I should point out that this friend is also my former training partner, and frequent race-travel companion. While I has happy to be active both days, I felt a little deflated having not gotten to run. I actually felt put off enough that I couldn’t even get myself to write about it. Not running was my excuse.

Monday, Memorial Day in the US, was warm and sunny. My friend messaged me again about another ride. For some reason, I thought it would be a good idea to try to cram in a short run before he showed up. 2.5 miles later, I was back home, dripping with sweat. Ooof. I pushed my way through another 10 mile bike ride, which was at least made a bit better by the cool breeze.

In the wake of the warm weather, I decided to take Tuesday off. It is important to let yourself recover, especially when heat is involved. We often feel like the more i train, the stronger I will be. In fact, your rest days are just as important as your hard workouts.

”It’s all about finding some consistency.”

This morning, I woke up early and committed to getting out the door again. I am determined to keep the train on the tracks this time! Another 3 mile run, building the base. At this point, all my runs are at an “easy” pace, unless I am not paying attention. My body still seems to remember old cadences, and digs a hole for me to bury myself in if I don’t remind myself to backoff. As I get stronger I will talk more about different training types, workouts, etc… It’s all about finding some consistency.

I also hope to find some consistency writing about these experiences, but for now I just hope to avoid finding more excuses.

More Than Just Running

May 22, 2022 / / 0 Comments

I am happy to say that I got out again today. This morning was an easy 2 miles, and I did a better job of “going out slowly” than I did yesterday. While I actually felt a little sore, I am glad was enable to enjoy the sunshine and fresh air.

One of the keys to running injury free is to get your whole body in shape. Your core is the key to controlling your body, especially if you start running longer distances.

“While your goal doesn’t need to become a body builder, making your whole body is strong will help keep you on your feet and injury free!”

Before I ran today I did some light weights, including bench press, upright rows, shoulder shrugs, and obliques. Most of these can be done with a couple dumbbells or kettlebells if you happen to have them.

If you plan on running longer distances, having some strength in your traps (the trapezius muscle runs from the top of your neck to the middle of your back, and connects to your shoulder) will help you run upright, and carry your arms more efficiently.

As I mentioned earlier, your core is core to your running posture (see what I did there???). Obliques are the muscles that run along the side of your body, from just below your pectorals, down to your waistline. These muscles help support your body, and support your internal organs.

While your goal doesn’t need to become a body builder, making your whole body is strong will help keep you on your feet and injury free!

The First Step Is Taking A Step

May 21, 2022 / / 0 Comments

The toughest part about running is often taking the first step. Regardless of your experience level, at some point, you will find yourself searching for an excuse to avoid getting out there.

My long hiatus from running started when the US implemented the COVID quarantine. I decided it was time to give my body a long overdue break. It was needed. I had spent the past 16 years or so running a couple marathons a year.

For the next two years, I occasionally tried to get myself back into a rhythm, but each time I eventually got to the point that I would make up excuses. Work way my go to. I was on a big project. I was mentally exhausted. I was tired. Every time I started, I knocked myself back off course.

“If you feel great, slow down!”

Now, here we are. I haven’t run a step in almost two months. My weight is up about 10% from the start of the quarantine. My body feels like jello. I have a pocket full of excuses.

So how do you do start (or restart)? Take a step. It doesn’t matter how far or how fast you go. Just go. You’ll be happier on the other side.

Today, I took my first step and went for a two miles. That may be too far for some, know that that is ok. Just take a step. Go as far as you feel is right for you.

You will make mistakes along the way. Today I started running too fast. For a quarter mile, I felt amazing! By a half mile, I was huffing-and-puffing. By a mile, I walked for a minute before turning around and going home.

I regularly need to remind myself early in a run, if you feel great, slow down!

Fortunately, There was more downhill on the way back than the way out! It wasn’t my greatest run, but I am glad I got out there. I am hopeful that is the is the start of a revived routine.

I look forward to taking my next step.

Back To The Start

May 21, 2022 / / 0 Comments

It was early 2020.  I had a race in my sights.  The Rhode Island Marathon.  This was going to be my 29th marathon, in my 22nd state.  Training was going as well as could be expected, the usual aches and pains, but my build up was going well.  

We took a much needed vacation out of the country in February for a bit up relaxation and to soak up a little sun.  Arriving at the tiny airport, things were different than the last time we were there.  People were walking up and down the rows of weary travelers, taking random temperatures, asking where you were coming from and how you felt.  COVID.  It wasn’t yet a big thing, but it existed.  No big deal.

“Sometimes you find yourself a long way from where you were…”

Like any enjoyable vacation, it was over before we knew it.  The trip home was uneventful.  Arriving at O’hare, we were again asked how we felt.  Fine.  We headed home.  Life carried on…

A couple weeks passed and the news started covering the story a lot more.  I had just started a new role at work.  The start of a major implementation.  The office was abuzz with stories about COVID.  Words like “pandemic” were starting to bounce around.  

You thought this was a story about running, no?

I was part of local running club.  Well organized.  Runs every week. Clockwork.  The club had runners of all speeds and disciplines.  With such a large group, long runs were usually filled with story of recent races, and who has what race coming up.  It wasn’t long before that start to change.   COVID.  The conversation shift wasn’t dramatic, but the tone was.  It was no longer the excitement of what your next race was.  It became if your next was going to happen.  It became “That race just got canceled” or “I heard that this race says it will happen no matter what”.  It became “Flights are being canceled, but I think I’ll still drive to the race”.

“The quarantine wouldn’t last long… until it did””

My sights were still set on Rhode Island.  A small race that I figured I could place in the top 10.  I had put in the miles.  I had put in the effort.  I was excited.  I was going, pandemic or not.

Then in March, my office sent us all home.  That weekend, the runners still got together and talked about who was still going to work, and more importantly, who was still running.  Despite the risk, I was in.  April was just around the corner.  The race was on…  

until it wasn’t. 

The race was canceled.  For a several weeks I kept running.  Rhode Island may not happen, but there would be another race soon enough.  I ran 12 miles on April 5th, instead of 26.2.  For a couple more days I ran. 

The quarantine wouldn’t last long…

until it did.

Having your race canceled is deflating.  You put in all the work and had little to show for it.  You mind goes a bit cynical, but you move on.  I was tired and I knew it.  I had been running marathons for about 13 years at that point.  There were no races to put on the calendar.  I needed a break.  It was time.  So I stopped running on April 8th.

I told myself that I would come back to it whenever it felt right.  By May 1st, I started to get the itch again. A bit of weekend running, and I was back… errr, for the weekend. A bit of sporadic short runs rounded out the month.

The rest of the year continued similarly. A handful of short weekend run, the occasional weekday short run. The year ended with a couple weeks off work, thinking I was a runner again.

The positivity ended quickly in the new year. With little to no running most months, 2021 ended with about 30 total runs. Most activity I had revolved around weekend mountain bike rides, but even that was intermittent. Again, the year ended with a short lived running revival. The energy evaporated with the holiday vacation time.

Still working from home, January 2022 started with a running fizzle. One lonely run between January and February.

I knew I should do better. I stepped on a scale. Ooof. Up 15 pounds. Always called “skinny”, I felt different. I felt heavy. I felt mushy. I felt… sad. So in March I decided it was time!

While I did manage to run 6 times through out the month, it just wouldn’t click like it had in the past. I gave up.

Again.

March 26th.

And I haven’t run since.

So here we are. Why are we here? Back at square one. It’s time to start again, together. I am hoping my experiences can help other, and maybe provide a laugh. I am not a student of the sport, but I have learned a lot along the way. Taking a big step back, I want to show the highs and lows. I want to share 15+ years worth of acquired tips and stories. I want to create positivity.

Sometimes you find yourself a long way from where you were…

It’s going to be a long run back! 

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