Today was my one month checkup with the orthopedic surgeon. The knee is a bit irritating but I want to do everything I can to put off Surgery. His observation was that the knee is still a bit swelled and I have “water on the knee” but I am doing well. “Keep up what I have been doing and come back in two months”. I made the appointment for the week after the Devil just to be safe.
It has been a while since I have posted anything here. My remorse over my DNF at Umstead is mostly gone. I may try another 100 sometime later this year if my knee heals.
Blame the lack of attention to the blog on mostly on laziness and a big push in training for the Devil run. Check out the race web site
http://calicoracing.squarespace.com/running-with-the-devil/
The Race Director is great and the volunteers are truly dedicated to the runners.
Over the last few weeks, I have been having problems with my right knee. I think we will be doing the surgery route very soon but I am trying to make it through the Devil first.
Training is going well. I am doing a daily 10 miler followed by a 30 -45 minute stay in the sauna. My night training has been 2 hours on the elliptical and a 1 hour weight workout. My plans are to do back to back 15 milers on Saturday and Sunday.
I have all my heat gear for the run. Industrial Hygiene principles meet ultra running. Science meets stupidity… Geek vs jock … Which face of Jim will win?
I am really looking forward to Vegas. I consider it sort of a second home and probably spend 4-5 weeks there a year not to mention more that a few red eye weekend getaways! Coach will be doing the 50 miler with me. I use the term “with” loosely meaning that we will run the same course on the same day since his walk is way faster than my run. Ma is planning to do the half marathon if all goes well. I am happy to have their company for some of my time in Vegas. I will show them a good time. But, of course, I won’t lead them into too far into the dark side. I will have enough time for debauchery after they return to Baltimore.
I had the pleasure of crewing for a friend at the MMT 100. His drive and determination is admirable. Coach was there to keep him focused and 10 Snails were on hand for moral support. This has to be an all time record ratio for runner to crew and pacers. Peter finished the 102 miles with a smile and immediately thanked his pacer and crew.
Peter finishing the MMT 100 run. Ma in foreground, Carrie, Coach and yours truly in background
Monday was a very good day! I did my first real workout in over a month.
I started out with an early morning 5 miler – not much but it felt so good to be back on my feet. Afterwards, I spent 20 minutes in the sauna. I am doing the sauna as part of my training for the Devil run.
After work, I went to the gym and did an hour on the elliptical and a heavy chest and back workout. I could have worked out all night but I choose to use a bit or restraint.
Tuesday’s workout consisted of a 45 minute Stairmaster workout in the morning and a very light track workout under the watchful eye of Coach in the evening.
Today was my first workout since the Umstead meltdown. I took it slow and did a 2 mile run at around a 10:30 pace followed by a 2.5 mile walk on the trails at lock Raven. I was a bit fatigued but over all I felt good.
I joined the snails for a nice breakfast at Pickles and Chips. After breakfast I replaced the battery in the T Bird and headed to FX for a short strength training workout. My weight is up to 183.6 pounds per the gym scale. This is 13+ pounds over my pre Umstead weight. Time to start serious training – or the Devil will own my soul.
