Training for 4/30/10

Today was the last workout of the 100 push-up challenge — 279 push-ups over nine sets. It was ridiculously hard, especially that last set of 65 at the end, but I got through it. On Sunday, I’ll see if it all paid off yet and try to do 100 push-ups in a row. If I can’t, I’ll just keep repeating weeks five and six until I can.

I also did more upper body weight training, stretching and foam rolling.

I think tomorrow I’m going to take a nice, long bike ride. I haven’t decided a target distance yet. The rest of the weekend will be all about the garage. Ben’s coming over with an excavator tomorrow to start digging out the foundation.

And, since today is the last day of the month, it’s time for my monthly summary.

This is a really short one — I ran 3.1 miles in April.

Let’s look at how this injury has steadily stolen my soul over the past few months:

Monthly mileage thus far in 2010:

• January — 144 miles
• February — 80.5
• March — 29.1
• April — 3.1

Holy crap. I haven’t run that few miles since… I don’t know. I guess when I was 18, before I started running to get ready for basic training.

Well, I’m looking forward to May starting the upswing. I’m hoping to start running next week. I have my first race back from the injury (I hope) on May 30, a 5-mile race in Lewes.

And I’m still trying to figure out how, starting in June, I’m going to simultaneously begin training for the half marathon in September, the marathon in October and the five 5Ks I’m running throughout the summer. Guess I better just worry about being able to run one freaking mile at this point and cross those bridges when I get to them.

Training for 4/29/10

This morning I went to physical therapy. Again, my therapist liked that I rode my bike two consecutive days without IT band pain, but, again, there was no mention of running anytime soon. I only have one more week of therapy and then I’m on my own.

I completed the course of ibuprofen last night. I was worried the constant stream of mild painkillers was what was keeping everything feeling OK, but so far that does not seem to be the case. I won’t have time to ride my bike later today to find out. Maybe tomorrow evening. Definitely Saturday.

And speaking of the bike, last night I did a shorter, easier ride than Tuesday’s, riding about 5.5 miles. Everything was good. I told my therapist this morning it’s been so nice recently, being able to do what I want — except running, of course — without my knees locking up or screaming in pain. I can’t wait to get running again, though!

Training for 4/28/10

This morning was the next to last day of the 100 push-up challenge — 249 push-ups over nine sets with only 45 seconds of rest in between each set. Then I did abs, leg strengthening exercises, more upper body weight training, stretching and foam rolling.

Last night, I took the bike out for a shorter, harder ride. I did a bit less than 7 miles in just under a half hour. I wish I could run seven consecutive 4:30 miles. Anyway, it was the first real cardio workout I’ve had in ages, and it felt really good. Especially when my knees didn’t hurt a bit.

I might go for another shorter ride tonight. Maybe if I tell my physical therapist tomorrow I went for two consecutive bike rides with no IT pain, he’ll get an idea to let me run.

Training for 4/27/10

This morning, I went to physical therapy. My therapist was pleased to hear I rode my bike and walked six miles this weekend with hardly any IT band pain, but he didn’t tell me to go hop on the treadmill, which is what I wanted to hear. I got electric stimulation and heat, ultrasound, assisted stretches and did all my exercises. Three more sessions to go, and I hope this whole injury mess will be behind me.

Also, my therapist told me my screw shoe story was the best “how I did this to myself” story he’s heard. Maybe someday I’ll be able to look back on my screw shoes and laugh.

Later, I went to Federalsburg Elementary School for Ronald McDonald Day. This guy dressed up as Ronald McDonald was there to talk to the kids about bullying and friendship. After the assembly, I went to get a little more information from Mr. McDonald, and this is what happened:

Yes, for some reason, I was proposed to by Ronald McDonald.

I also got a good shot of my Aunt Helen, the school’s principal, with everyone’s favorite clown:

Training for 4/26/10

This morning was the first day of the last week of the 100 push-up challenge. Will I be able to do 100 consecutive push-ups next week? I think I might. If not, I’ll just keep repeating the last week of the challenge until I can.

I also did some ab exercises, more upper body lifting, leg exercises, stretching and foam rolling.

My weekend went pretty well, in regards to my IT bands. I did not run, but I did a lot of other stuff. Saturday, I rode my bike 11 miles in a bit less than an hour and felt really good. That night, I went to the Jetty in Kent Island with Clark, Julie, TK and Wendy and danced all night (I should probably write “dance,” because I’m not very coordinated) and still felt good.

Sunday, we walked the 5.8-mile route through Federalsburg for March of Dimes. There was some tightness in my knees, but never the stinging pain I used to get. I went to Wendy’s bridal shower yesterday afternoon and then came home in time to catch the very end of the NASCAR race in Talladega, and my knees felt fine by yesterday evening.

I’m feeling hopeful about my return to running in the near future. I can’t wait to tell my physical therapist tomorrow about my successful weekend, because maybe he’ll let me start running soon.

One last thing that’s not related to running at all, but I just had to add — Saturday night was my little sister’s first prom! I remember when she was 6, and she went to my grand march just so she could have her picture taken with all the props on stage after we all came through. She looked so grown up and pretty Saturday. I felt kinda old, haha.

Training for 4/23/10

Quick update — last day of the fifth week of the 100 push-up challenge, abs, leg exercises, upper body weight training, stretching, foam rolling, etc. I’m headed to Clark’s grandfather’s funeral now.

Training for 4/22/10

This morning, I got some good news at physical therapy — I can ride my bike again! Not for hours, but a bit. And, if there’s no pain there, we’ll see about introducing some running next week. At least, if there’s no pain, I will introduce some irritating begging to run again.

Please, please, PLEASE be good, knees! I will love you forever and ever.

I will ride the bike either tomorrow evening or Saturday morning (or both.) Fingers crossed, toes crossed, everything that can cross while riding a bike crossed. I really hope this is the beginning of the end.

Training for 4/21/10

I think I’m actually going crazy now.

Last night, I dreamed about running. And not the kind of dream that could only happen in my mind, like winning the Boston Marathon after outkicking a Kenyan at the end, but the kind of dream that was just a replay of an actual memory.

I was wearing an old Air Force T-shirt I was issued in basic training, my navy blue Adidas shorts I’ve had for at least seven years and a pair of New Balance shoes I retired a long time ago (they’re my yardwork shoes now.) I was running down the road on which I live. This is something that actually happened many, many times. And I miss it so much I’m replaying it in my sleep so vividly I’m having trouble convincing myself I didn’t actually go for an easy run last night.

Maybe, if I tell my physical therapist it’s causing me real psychological trouble now, he’ll let me run. But somehow I doubt he’ll base his recommendations on my stupid dreams.

Anyway, things I did in real life — this morning was week 5, day 2 of the 100 push-up challenge, and it’s getting pretty tough now. I did eight sets of push-ups (19, 19, 22, 22, 18, 18, 22 and 48) with only 45 seconds of rest in between. That’s 188 push-ups. My puny little arms are freaking out.

Then I did some more upper body training, leg exercises, stretching and foam rolling.

Training for 4/20/10

This morning, I had my third physical therapy session. The two therapists I worked with last week were both out of the office, so there was a substitute. She spent quite a bit of time doing ultrasound on both knees, and poking and prodding my IT bands. According to her, compared to notes in my chart from my first visit a week ago, I am making extremely good progress. She said I’m “on the right side of the curve.” Which is very encouraging.

I told her about Saturday’s episode, and she said it’s good news that it recovered so quickly, but it’s also a sign I have more work to do before I can run again. So what else is new? This crap is wearing on into its third month now. You would think I’d be used to it.

Anyway, I did all my exercises and got ice, heat and electric stimulation, and I feel pretty good. I’ll be halfway through my treatments after Thursday’s session. Maybe they’ll let me try a little running next week.

In much more important news than my running woes, Clark’s grandfather passed away early this morning. I never knew him before his disease was pretty advanced, but listening to some of Clark’s stories about him, I think Clark takes after him a lot. So, if you pray, keep Clark’s family, especially his grandmother and dad, in your thoughts.

Training for 4/19/10

The Boston marathon is already over — it took Robert Cheruiyot of Kenya only 2:05:52 to run 26.2 miles (that’s an average pace of 4:48/mile if you’re wondering) and set a new course record. That’s freaking amazing. U.S. men will have to wait yet another year to break the 27-year winless drought, as Ryan Hall and Meb (there’s more to his name, but you couldn’t pronounce it anyway) were fourth and fifth, respectively. Hall did manage to set a new U.S. course record, by the way.

On the women’s side, Teyba Erkesso of Ethiopia held off a late charge from a Russian runner and won with a time of 2:26:11 (5:34/mile pace).

To put all this in perspective, my someday dream is to qualify to run that marathon, which requires a time better than 3:40:59 in my age group — average pace of 8:23/mile. And that will be a really big accomplishment for me.

Of course, in order to run a marathon that fast, I’ll have to be able to finish one, which brings me to today.

Friday, I took the day off and went shopping at the outlets with TK. I guess my feet didn’t appreciate the unsupportive flip-flops I wore, because I did get some mild discomfort, particularly in the left knee. I felt fine after I got home and stretched.

Saturday, I had to cover the Little League opening day ceremonies in Ridgely. I got there late (shock) and had to run a little to get some pictures of the parade. And my left knee flared up again.

Once I caught up with the parade, I walked alongside it to the ballpark. The walk seemed to calm down my knee. But when all that was done, I walked back to my car (somehow managing to get lost in Ridgely, and walking much farther than I should have had to) and by the time I got back to it, my knee was really stinging.

However, just on the drive to Julie’s house, everything went back to normal and I felt fine the rest of the day Saturday, all day yesterday and through today.

So what the hell does this mean? I have no clue!

Yesterday, I bought some generic orthotics for my running shoes and a bottle of ibuprofen so I can do a course of it. The physical therapist said I should take one every 4-6 hours to keep a steady rate of the drug in my system, thus keeping the inflammation consistently down. So I’m trying to remember to take one every five hours.

And this morning, I did week 5, day 1 of the 100 push-up challenge (a total of 173 over five sets!), more upper body lifting, abs, doctor-approved leg exercises, 3.5 minutes in the invisible chair and, of course, stretching and foam rolling.