Anybody out there reading this thing? Getting a little lonely in here...
Progress update
Ran 47:31 this morning, mostly on the dirt trail near Algonkian Park. Not sure exactly how far it was because I took several mini-breaks (walks of about 30 seconds). I guess it was around 5.5 miles. Haven't run this far in years. The Clifton hill was a beast though because it's in the last mile of the run.
Interestingly, my neuromas have not been an issue in several weeks due to my throwing out of several pairs of work-shoes that were too tight in the forefoot area. I'm wearing to work now Oxford shoes with plenty of room up front, which has significantly lessened the pain and tingling of the nerve problem. The neuromas are still present, but they're not causing a problem, even after this morning's long run. I'm scheduled to go to Richmond next Tuesday and get the Cryo procedure done, but I'm going to cancel and hope for the best. I can always go back if the problem persists.
Interestingly, my neuromas have not been an issue in several weeks due to my throwing out of several pairs of work-shoes that were too tight in the forefoot area. I'm wearing to work now Oxford shoes with plenty of room up front, which has significantly lessened the pain and tingling of the nerve problem. The neuromas are still present, but they're not causing a problem, even after this morning's long run. I'm scheduled to go to Richmond next Tuesday and get the Cryo procedure done, but I'm going to cancel and hope for the best. I can always go back if the problem persists.
Dear Clifton Point Street Hill,
"He who fights with monsters might take care lest he thereby become a monster. Is not life a hundred times too short for us to bore ourselves?"
-- Friedrich Nietzsche
I know it's wrong to hate, but I do hate you. You have that third-of-a mile long hill, and it lies near the finish of my now-favorite course. It's so steep that I'm surprised the residents haven't asked for an escalator to be installed. As a matter of fact, I don't even like running down your monster hill when I'm just getting into the run, what with all of the bone-jarring pounding I must endure.
I must admit, though, that you are making me as strong as a bull every time I make it to your summit. I see your hill, shining in the sunlight, as I run emerge from the dark Algonkian Park wooded trail, already exhausted from the previous miles. You challenge me to charge that hill, which I grudgingly do, reaching the top with legs the consistency of jelly. The last half mile then becomes more of a death march than a run.
I'll see you again tomorrow, Clifton Point Street hill.
-- Friedrich Nietzsche
I know it's wrong to hate, but I do hate you. You have that third-of-a mile long hill, and it lies near the finish of my now-favorite course. It's so steep that I'm surprised the residents haven't asked for an escalator to be installed. As a matter of fact, I don't even like running down your monster hill when I'm just getting into the run, what with all of the bone-jarring pounding I must endure.
I must admit, though, that you are making me as strong as a bull every time I make it to your summit. I see your hill, shining in the sunlight, as I run emerge from the dark Algonkian Park wooded trail, already exhausted from the previous miles. You challenge me to charge that hill, which I grudgingly do, reaching the top with legs the consistency of jelly. The last half mile then becomes more of a death march than a run.
I'll see you again tomorrow, Clifton Point Street hill.
Man Drops 80lbs on McDonald's Diet
Interesting story. http://www.inrich.com/cva/ric/living/health.apx.-content-articles-RTD-2008-06-11-0156.html
No, this does not mean you can go out and eat a couple of Big Macs for dinner. According to the article, "He eats mostly salads, wraps and apple dippers without the caramel sauce, and he has the occasional cheeseburger without the bun. He generally eats two meals a day and tries to keep his daily intake at 1,200 to 1,400 calories."
No, this does not mean you can go out and eat a couple of Big Macs for dinner. According to the article, "He eats mostly salads, wraps and apple dippers without the caramel sauce, and he has the occasional cheeseburger without the bun. He generally eats two meals a day and tries to keep his daily intake at 1,200 to 1,400 calories."
Thank you, Suzanne!
"So long as little children are allowed to suffer, there is no true love in this world."
--Isodore Duncan
Just wanted to take a moment to publicly thank you for spending 7 years of your life changing cloth diapers for three kids! Obviously this is one of your better memories of having babies. On behalf of all three of your offspring, thank you for this labor (or "labour" for my British readers) of love!
--Isodore Duncan
Just wanted to take a moment to publicly thank you for spending 7 years of your life changing cloth diapers for three kids! Obviously this is one of your better memories of having babies. On behalf of all three of your offspring, thank you for this labor (or "labour" for my British readers) of love!
24 on the bus
Got the box set of every season of 24 for Father's Day. I converted the first few episodes of Season 1 to .mp4, and watched one of them on my commute into DC this morning. No, I wasn't driving, I ride the Loudoun County Commuter bus. Great service--I get into DC in about 40 minutes. Most people sleep on the bus--I like to be entertained. I have an 80GB Zune, which is a wonder-toy: http://www.zunescene.com/80gb-zune/
I'm writing this from the lobby of the National Press building in DC, waiting on a co-worker. We're here for a project.
Great run on Monday--ran only 25 minutes, but it was non-stop. Definite signs of improvement. Will try to do the same tonight, but stretch it to 30 minutes. Interestingly, my feet are doing great. I took out the metatarsal pads, which seemed to make things worse, and I've tied my shoes very loosely in the forefoot. Result: no pain or numbness. Still, I'm going to Richmond because I know that as the miles increase, so will the neuroma issues.
I'm writing this from the lobby of the National Press building in DC, waiting on a co-worker. We're here for a project.
Great run on Monday--ran only 25 minutes, but it was non-stop. Definite signs of improvement. Will try to do the same tonight, but stretch it to 30 minutes. Interestingly, my feet are doing great. I took out the metatarsal pads, which seemed to make things worse, and I've tied my shoes very loosely in the forefoot. Result: no pain or numbness. Still, I'm going to Richmond because I know that as the miles increase, so will the neuroma issues.
Cryosurgery back in the picture for July 1st.
Have an appointment scheduled with a Dr. Waskin in Richmond on July 1st. Found him by contacting the manufacturer of the cryosurgery device thingy, who sent me his info.
I asked his assistant if I could get the procedure done that day, rather than my having to make the 2.5 hour trip again, especially since A) I've had every conservative treatment and none worked and B) It's not very invasive--they stick the tiny probe into the top of the foot, freeze the nerve, and only takes 15 minutes per foot and C) Insurance is paying, so they stand to make some cash out of this.
I did find out that this office doesn't use the ultrasound probe to identify where the nerve is. He'll basically poke around with the probe until the electric shock courses through my body and I shout an expletive. Then he'll hit the "freeze" button and I'll go home.
I asked his assistant if I could get the procedure done that day, rather than my having to make the 2.5 hour trip again, especially since A) I've had every conservative treatment and none worked and B) It's not very invasive--they stick the tiny probe into the top of the foot, freeze the nerve, and only takes 15 minutes per foot and C) Insurance is paying, so they stand to make some cash out of this.
I did find out that this office doesn't use the ultrasound probe to identify where the nerve is. He'll basically poke around with the probe until the electric shock courses through my body and I shout an expletive. Then he'll hit the "freeze" button and I'll go home.
I am not a loser
...of weight, that is. Since I started training 2 weeks ago, I've lost "only" two pounds. A few years ago, I could easily shed 5 lbs a week without giving it much thought. It definitely gets more difficult to lose weight as you get older.
It looks like I really will have to quit drinking beer. I'm truly sorry, Mr. Beer, for all of your brothers and sisters whom I beheaded and consumed without prejudice.
This is NOT me, by the way...
Well, that stinks
Found out yesterday that the closest doctor who performs the cryo surgery is in Hampton, VA, about 4 hours away. So that pretty much rules that out. This is the procedure whereby they freeze (and kill) the nerve mass.
So, I scheduled an appointment with a local podiatrist who performs neuroma sclerosis, which consists of injecting an alcohol solution directly in the balls (of my feet, silly!). I will need up to 8 treatments, and I'm not looking forward to it. I hope they have a padded ceiling.
Good run on my now-regular 3 mile course. Feeling stronger every day.
So, I scheduled an appointment with a local podiatrist who performs neuroma sclerosis, which consists of injecting an alcohol solution directly in the balls (of my feet, silly!). I will need up to 8 treatments, and I'm not looking forward to it. I hope they have a padded ceiling.
Good run on my now-regular 3 mile course. Feeling stronger every day.
This is what Big Brown has done for me...
My wife called me this morning and asked me if I spent $1,800 for a UPS shipment on June 1st. Oh s**t. This is nicht bueno. Somebody stole my credit card number, and then kindly gave said number to UPS to ship somebody else's stolen car to some third-world crap hole.
Thank you, Marcela, for actually checking our bank accounts online. I probably would have just continued to pay and pay and pay....
Anyway, cards have been canceled, and hopefully this will be erased.
Oh, and Mr. Thief, I hope your bowels lock!
Thank you, Marcela, for actually checking our bank accounts online. I probably would have just continued to pay and pay and pay....
Anyway, cards have been canceled, and hopefully this will be erased.
Oh, and Mr. Thief, I hope your bowels lock!
Did I find the answer to my ills tonight?
Hope is the thing with feathers
That perches in the soul.
And sings the tune
Without the words,
and never stops at all
--Emily Dickinson
Went for a 3 mile run tonight at 8PM. It has cooled off significantly from the 98 degree temps of the past three days. It was about 72 degrees when I left the house. I ran the first three miles of my "target" course, the Cascades 10K. I ran the (now) usual 8/2 pattern. Finished in 27:10. Felt pretty good. I did experience some pain (good ol' morton's neuroma) in my right foot as I was finishing.
I looked online tonight for non-surgical treatments for the neuromas. I've had cortisone injections into the nerves before, and they worked great for about 6 weeks, then the pain returned as if nothing ever happened. I do not want surgery as I've read too many examples of "nerve stumps" developing a mad myriad of problems. So, I'll forgo that as well.
I found an article where somebody mentioned "cryosurgery," which basically means they stick a tiny tube into the nerve and freeze it. I found a little better description online: "The procedure is performed under local anestehsia using a tiny incision that does not require stitches. A probe is used to freeze tissue in a 15 minute office procedure. Extreme freezing temperatures produce an anesthetic effect beyond the temporary relief produced by simple cooling. This procedure may be used as a primary treatment but is more commonly used after other conservative treatments have failed. "
I'm going to call Dr. Mark Katz of Alexandria, who performs this potential miracle, tomorrow...
That perches in the soul.
And sings the tune
Without the words,
and never stops at all
--Emily Dickinson
Went for a 3 mile run tonight at 8PM. It has cooled off significantly from the 98 degree temps of the past three days. It was about 72 degrees when I left the house. I ran the first three miles of my "target" course, the Cascades 10K. I ran the (now) usual 8/2 pattern. Finished in 27:10. Felt pretty good. I did experience some pain (good ol' morton's neuroma) in my right foot as I was finishing.
I looked online tonight for non-surgical treatments for the neuromas. I've had cortisone injections into the nerves before, and they worked great for about 6 weeks, then the pain returned as if nothing ever happened. I do not want surgery as I've read too many examples of "nerve stumps" developing a mad myriad of problems. So, I'll forgo that as well.
I found an article where somebody mentioned "cryosurgery," which basically means they stick a tiny tube into the nerve and freeze it. I found a little better description online: "The procedure is performed under local anestehsia using a tiny incision that does not require stitches. A probe is used to freeze tissue in a 15 minute office procedure. Extreme freezing temperatures produce an anesthetic effect beyond the temporary relief produced by simple cooling. This procedure may be used as a primary treatment but is more commonly used after other conservative treatments have failed. "
I'm going to call Dr. Mark Katz of Alexandria, who performs this potential miracle, tomorrow...
BlackBerrys and running
"Our inventions are wont to be pretty toys, which distract our attention from serious things. They are but improved means to an unimproved end."
--Henry David Thoreau
When I last ran seriously, in the mid 90's, cell phones were huge and BlackBerrys were just fancy pagers. No need to carry them while running. As a network engineer with clients, plus a wife and two kids, the thought of carrying my Curve while running has crossed my mind. What happens if a client's mail server crashes, or one of my kids decides to set the carpet on fire? Well, I guess I'll find all of this out when I get home from the run. Not much I can do if I'm miles away on a trail somewhere.
--Henry David Thoreau
When I last ran seriously, in the mid 90's, cell phones were huge and BlackBerrys were just fancy pagers. No need to carry them while running. As a network engineer with clients, plus a wife and two kids, the thought of carrying my Curve while running has crossed my mind. What happens if a client's mail server crashes, or one of my kids decides to set the carpet on fire? Well, I guess I'll find all of this out when I get home from the run. Not much I can do if I'm miles away on a trail somewhere.
Pablo's tough run
You think your run is tough? Check out this email I received today from Pablo:
"Today I ran. Damn it was hot out. My foot hurts. I almost tripped on a squirrel. I had to s**t in the woods with no paper. All in all, a pretty good run.... "
"Today I ran. Damn it was hot out. My foot hurts. I almost tripped on a squirrel. I had to s**t in the woods with no paper. All in all, a pretty good run.... "
June 9, 2008
"The race goes not to the swiftest but to he who endureth the most."
That's not actually correct, but there is an element of truth in it. I will not be running today, despite my desire to. I had a decent run yesterday, and I'd love to get back out there today, but the injury bug is always around the corner. In the past I was prone to starting a running program full speed. I would go from a long period of inactivity to 70 miles a week in less than a month. Sometimes I would get injured, other times not, but I can't afford to do that now. I have 49 weeks to go--any lost week would be a setback.
So, I'm going to ease into this thing. Hopefully the Morton's neuromas in my feet stay asleep. Jerks. I hate them.
That's not actually correct, but there is an element of truth in it. I will not be running today, despite my desire to. I had a decent run yesterday, and I'd love to get back out there today, but the injury bug is always around the corner. In the past I was prone to starting a running program full speed. I would go from a long period of inactivity to 70 miles a week in less than a month. Sometimes I would get injured, other times not, but I can't afford to do that now. I have 49 weeks to go--any lost week would be a setback.
So, I'm going to ease into this thing. Hopefully the Morton's neuromas in my feet stay asleep. Jerks. I hate them.
Today's run
Today, I ran a "total" of 33:48. I'm on the "8/2" program, whereby I run 8 minutes, then walk for 2. You have to do that when you're in poor condition. Since the 10K course I'm aiming for starts about 200 meters from my house, I plan on running it a lot. This morning, I ran the first mile, then ended up running down a dirt trail headed towards the Potomac River, which lies about a half mile from my house.
I've always had a strong attraction to trail running. Don't know what it is. I think it reminds me of exploring the woods when I was a kid. For a long time one of my favorite runs has been on the trails around Reston's Lake Fairfax. Very hilly, muddy, and a number of stream crossings. The combination of sweat, mud, and occasional blood is a lot of fun, for whatever reason.
I've always had a strong attraction to trail running. Don't know what it is. I think it reminds me of exploring the woods when I was a kid. For a long time one of my favorite runs has been on the trails around Reston's Lake Fairfax. Very hilly, muddy, and a number of stream crossings. The combination of sweat, mud, and occasional blood is a lot of fun, for whatever reason.
Training program
I found this online somewhere during a Google search. Can't remember the author, but in the 1960's he ran 13+ minutes for 3 miles on only 25 miles a week. He wrote an article with a sample training schedule for 10K runners (which I saved to a Word document, sans author's name):
· Tues: 10 mins warm-up, 10 x 45 secs uphill fast, 10 mins warm-down;
· Thurs: 6-mile run, including 3 x 8 mins fast, 2 mins jog (10k pace);
· Sat: 10 mins warm-up, 2 x 15 mins threshold pace (2 mins recovery);
· Sun: 8-10 mile run, starting slow, finishing faster.
· Total mileage 24-26
Mostly due to my Morton's Neuroma in both feet, which cause my feet to burn terrible after an hour or so of running, I needed to find a low mileage program. This seems to fit perfectly. I've run maybe a total of 100 miles in the last 10 years, and have put on quite a bit of weight. I'm 5'9" and 172 lbs. At my fastest, I was about 145 lbs. I plan on just building up to 25 miles a week "comfortably" for the next 6 months, then switch to the plan above, modified as to how I feel on any given day.
· Tues: 10 mins warm-up, 10 x 45 secs uphill fast, 10 mins warm-down;
· Thurs: 6-mile run, including 3 x 8 mins fast, 2 mins jog (10k pace);
· Sat: 10 mins warm-up, 2 x 15 mins threshold pace (2 mins recovery);
· Sun: 8-10 mile run, starting slow, finishing faster.
· Total mileage 24-26
Mostly due to my Morton's Neuroma in both feet, which cause my feet to burn terrible after an hour or so of running, I needed to find a low mileage program. This seems to fit perfectly. I've run maybe a total of 100 miles in the last 10 years, and have put on quite a bit of weight. I'm 5'9" and 172 lbs. At my fastest, I was about 145 lbs. I plan on just building up to 25 miles a week "comfortably" for the next 6 months, then switch to the plan above, modified as to how I feel on any given day.
50 weeks to go
I saw a man chasing the horizon;
Round and round they sped.
I was disturbed at this;
I accosted the man.
"It is futile," I said,
"You can never---"
"You lie," he cried,
And ran on.
--Stephen Crane
I'm a 38 year old former competitive runner (33 minute 10-K a long time ago) looking to give 'er one more go. I haven't run a competitive race in about 13 years. The plan is to run the local road race (Cascades Firechase 10K) in late May of 2009. I need to:
* drop about 25 lbs
* train like a beast
* overcome injuries--gout, knee problems, and Morton's Neuroma (painful swelling of the nerves in the balls of the feet).
Having said that, I want to break 34 minutes, and finish in the top 3 overall, while training only 25-30 miles per week.
Long odds?? Yes. Can I do it?? I don't know. But I'm gonna give it a shot.
Round and round they sped.
I was disturbed at this;
I accosted the man.
"It is futile," I said,
"You can never---"
"You lie," he cried,
And ran on.
--Stephen Crane
I'm a 38 year old former competitive runner (33 minute 10-K a long time ago) looking to give 'er one more go. I haven't run a competitive race in about 13 years. The plan is to run the local road race (Cascades Firechase 10K) in late May of 2009. I need to:
* drop about 25 lbs
* train like a beast
* overcome injuries--gout, knee problems, and Morton's Neuroma (painful swelling of the nerves in the balls of the feet).
Having said that, I want to break 34 minutes, and finish in the top 3 overall, while training only 25-30 miles per week.
Long odds?? Yes. Can I do it?? I don't know. But I'm gonna give it a shot.
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