Tuesday, August 31, 2010

Run Log August 23rd

Week of August 23, 2010

MON: 6 mi
Very easy out and back on panhandle to assess the back situation. 51:14

TUE: 4 mi
The back is getting a little better but not as quick as would be appreciated. We went to Kennywood with the girls today and left just before 1pm. Seriously one of the best days ever as a family. Scarlett stayed behind with Patricia and then Janet. My back felt a little better by the end of the day from walking.

WED: rest
No miles today and awoke with a stiff back but less pain and muscle spasm. I still appear crooked to the left and feel as though my back is bent forward. With little to no options left I decided to seek Chiropractor help. I remembered a guy that came into the ER almost a year ago who I took care of that was a Chiropractor down the street from here. After just showing up without his name and describing to the receptionist what he looked like, I left with an assessment, adjustment, and some pain relief. It felt more like the pain relief which accompanies stretching, that good flexible feel. I want to become whole again. Although I cannot say that my beliefs lie wholeheartedly with the Chiropractor field, there is something to say for someone who knows the muscles of the back and can stretch them appropriately.

THU: 8 mi
A very nice, easy paced run on the MT from mile 0 to 4. At the turn around I ran 2 miles back at a 6:45ish pace to see if my back would sustain. Much to my surprise, it felt good with no spasms or pain.

FRI: rest
A return trip to Dr. Orbach and my back feels flexible and just about solid again. I thought of running in the evening but really did not want to push it as IKEA remains the focus in 2 weeks.

SAT: work

SUN: work

Total = 18 miles
A bad week in mileage, especially before the half marathon in 2 weeks but the slight back injury left me with little to work with.

Monday, August 23, 2010

a contemplation

Sometimes things do not always seem the same when viewed from different angles. I took care of a gentleman Sunday afternoon who arrived with the desire to quit drinking and was “sick and tired of being sick and tired”. He did not appear to be an uneducated man nor did he seem naïve about alcohol and the effects of abuse. The contrary revealed a respectable man with a strong desire, yet unknowing determination to put forth efforts of obtaining sobriety through a plan. The obstacle was not having a plan. He stated attending AA in the past and although he indeed had a sponsor, the program did not work because of his failed desire to make it work. This time was different.

The man did not seem to have “lost it all” nor did he appear to be insane. He just showed concern that his life needed a turn around and the arrival of age 50 was proving wrong his previous theory of being unique. There was not a quality in him he stated that was any different from others who have sworn to stop drinking yet could not. The similarities of alcoholics remain consistent in that respect I guess. He concurred.

As I continued to watch his mannerisms and lack of contact during our conversation, it occurred to me this problem can hit anyone and alcohol may not be the source for everyone. Suddenly, I was looking 18 years ahead and envisioned a broke down me sitting there contemplating life and wondering where did it go. What happened to my health? Where did my race times go? How did I let my prime pass me by? How come I did not see all the warning signs? I too am unique right? Maybe alcohol has not affected my life to the extent of his, but something can be said for a sneak peak of a road anxiously traveled. This was a turn not to be made. Although alcohol may not be the source problem for myself, the worries that impede on the enjoyment of everyday life are. The worry of retirement, raising respectable children, and choosing the right career choices top the list. This seems a slippery slope in need of caution. Never before did these seem to matter. Upon reaching the age of 50, I would like to resemble a unique quality unlike this gentleman; being content and confident. For that, I thank this man. And for that, I choose to run.

P.S. I pulled my low back cross training last week and running has been minimal for the last 7 days thus the philosophical post!

Tuesday, August 17, 2010

Run Log Again

Week of August 2, 2010

MON: 9 mi
I put together a nice loop incorporating an existing Crafton route, the dog park, and the ballpark river trail. It is a nice mix of sidewalk busy street running, neighborhood running, trail running, back road running, and plenty of hills.

TUE: GYM
Leg extensions, leg press, and bike

WED: rest

THU: 8 mi
Panhandle trail

FRI: work

SAT: 4 mi
Crafton before work

SUN: work

Total = 21 miles
This obviously was not a very eventful week. The gym workout really hit my legs hard. I am not really impressed with the mileage and quite disappointed I still have been unable to manage time accordingly. Also some bad news in the family did not help matters much. Not a good week with running, work, or life. However, I am grateful for my health and the capability to run even 1 mile.

Tuesday, August 3, 2010

Run Log week of July 26

Week of July 26, 2010

MON: This is the first Monday I have not run following the weekend shifts. I wanted to rest for a long run tomm.

TUE: 14.5 mi
A long out and back on the Panhandle trail. Nice that the water fountain at mile 6 is finally working.

WED: 4 mi
Easy recovery run on the treadmill in the am.

THU: 11 mi
Crafton loop with dog park (hilly course). I ran in the middle of the day and although it was hot the humidity didn’t seem as bad compared to last week.

FRI: work

SAT: Dustin’s bachelor party

SUN: rest (not really needed, just some change in family plans)

Total = 29.5 miles
This was a pretty solid week despite lots of schedule changes and plans coming out of nowhere. Although it was only 3 runs, each run was efficient and it was nice putting the long run together. I am still conflicted with some race plans at the end of summer and am not sure how to approach the different training required. I want to see how the running goes over the next week or two and see how I can bump the mileage up a bit. The intentions were there this week for 30+ miles, yet it seems life can get in the way of my running problem.