Sunday, March 28, 2010

Umstead Crew

Starbucks and Dark Chocolate....
The life of a pit crew is hard.
Few can live up to the demands.



Ummie won

As predicted I did not have a good day. 37.5 miles and I was fried.

On to new adventures ... Next stop Orlando 1/2 IM.



Friday, March 26, 2010

Just waitin

I arrived at the race hotel yesterday afternoon and met a few of the race participants. As always, ultra runners are very friendly and supportive. I gave what advice I could with the stipulation that I am a three and soon to be four time failure.

I met a pair of freinds for breakfast and recieved a bit of grief for my lack of training. God I am in deep shi#.

Time to head off to the market to stock up on food and drink. I am not a happy camper.



Saturday, March 20, 2010

Vitamin I …Why Have You Betrayed Me?

With one week to Umstead, I continue to be plagued by Ummie's curse. I have been having GI issues since the Baltimore Marathon. After much prodding, poking, ultrasounds and CAT scans, and under duress, I submitted to an upper and lower GI endoscopy. The preparation was not the most enjoyable experience but it was something that I endured. The exam was easy because I was under general anesthesia. As far as the lower GI everything was OK. When the Doc looked at the upper he found a bunch of ulcers.

"You are an Ultra runner with bad knees… how much ibuprofen do you take?" I refused to answer by evoking my Fifth Amendment rights. But lesson learned. I will need to find something else to carry me through the mile from now on.


 

Tuesday, March 16, 2010

Shoot Me … Please Shoot Me Doc!

I had my 3000 mile check up with the Orthopod. There are three options for the knee –

  • Replacement Surgery
  • Live with it
  • Get a shot and wait

I took the easy way out and went with the shot. After all it is race season. The shot was fairly quick and painless. I am to take 5 days off from running. Time to get back in the pool!

The Doc cautioned me that inactivity is the worst thing I can do. After the 5 days, I need to get on a strict weight routine for the legs. Rock hard Quads are needed to put off further damage.

Umstead is only 11 day away. Oh well at least one knee will feel good.

Friday, March 12, 2010

My wife does not understand me

Somehow, she thinks that $ 500 for Hammer products is a lot. Who'da thunk?



Ummie Please be Kind

Two weeks and a wake up to go until my fourth beating by this beast. Let's see 07 was the broken ribs, 08 was the blown knee, 09 I pulled out at 50 with a case of the leans. What lies ahead for '10? Maybe the angels will carry me home.

I am less trained and less beaten up than any of the previous years. I don't know if this is good or bad.

Maybe I can buy some performance... I hope the $500 I just spent on Hammer products is worth it. At least they will have a big box to ship me home.

After Umstead there is not much time to recover. I plan to do in May the frederick marathon and the
Orlando 1/2 IM.

God have mercy because Ummie will not.




Wednesday, March 10, 2010

Two Weeks to Umstead

Umstead is almost here and I am rapidly approaching burn out. I have cut back on the hard runs and have been doing 4 hours a day on the stairs.

After all I am a realist, I will walk and hobble most of the 50+ miles.

My bad knee has a "slight hitch in my giddyup" so I am getting a injection next week. Otherwise, I am feeling tired but physically very good.

I started sauna training a few days ago and am up to 45 minutes. My goal is 2 hours.

Starting next week I will be back in the pool. I really hate the swim but triathlon season is approaching fast.

I am soo tired! Time to hit Starbucks befor my session with the trainer.



Wednesday, March 3, 2010

Ummie Here I Come

Well, it is a few weeks to Umstead and I feel good. Yesterday, I got the MD's blessing to go for it! Trying to avoid the injuries that have plagued me in the past I have cut down on the hard outside runs and focused on cross training. The goal is 100 miles but I will be happy finishing 50 injury free.