Distance: 1 mile
Time: ?
Location: Rio Vista School and Back
Tomorrow is the big Cucamonga Peak hike. I should have been running for several weeks prior to this endeavor, but instead I did virtually nothing. I rolled my ankle on my last run, which was November 4th, and haven't run since. Part of that time was spent recovering, but my ankle seemed to heal pretty quickly, so I really didn't have an excuse. Finally, tonight, on the eve of the hike, I had had enough. I decided just to go run and not even think about it, because the minute I start thinking is the minute I come up with a million reasons to not go. So I quickly put on my running shorts and shoes (I didn't bother with the MiCoach) and headed for the door. Once there, Deborah suggested I take the dogs, and since I wasn't going to stop and think about anything I quickly said, "sure!" So we threw the leashes on them and out the door we went. Before I knew what had happened I was running up our street being practically pulled by two dogs as if I were on a sled! They had a lot of energy initially and I was definitely going faster than I had planned. But we all soon fell into a comfortable pace and kept it the whole way to the school. Once there we stopped for a quick breather. My dogs were doing great. They didn't stop the whole time and they would only increase their pace when they would hear another dog. We were soon heading back and it was smooth sailing all the way home. All in all it was a great run! I may just take the dogs out more often! They keep it interesting and probably force me to increase my pace more than I would otherwise. So hopefully tonight's run will help a little for tomorrow's hike. Obviously the reality is it is probably too little too late, but it's better than nothing. Tomorrow is going to be a challenge like no other. We'll be climbing over 6,000 feet to the summit of Cucamonga Peak! It's going to be one of the most epic things I've done.
Friday, November 16, 2012
Sunday, November 4, 2012
Seriously?
Distance: .66 miles
Time: 8:15
Location: Ottawa Rd.
Two weeks before running a 5K this past June I twisted my left ankle really bad on a trail run up near Lake Arrowhead. Two weeks before climbing Cucamonga Peak in November I twist my other ankle running along a road by my house. Really? I guess the road to getting in shape is meant to be a difficult one. And I'm sure encountering my fair share of obstacles.
I don't have much to say about this run. It was a waste of one, essentially. I was planning on getting in 2 miles, and I felt like I'd be able to (unlike yesterday). But as I was running east along Ottawa Road a car was driving toward me and its headlights prevented me from seeing the ground in front of me. I was trying to avoid the lip of asphalt that sits about an inch above the dirt, but my right foot landed right on it and I went forward, almost face-planting into the dirt, but luckily regaining my balance. I was instantly upset considering the same thing had just happened 5 months earlier. But this ankle sprain seemed less severe and I contemplated continuing my run. But I also considered that if I damaged it further the hike would be off. So I hung my head and turned to walk home. My ankle was feeling pretty good, so I decided to lightly run the last quarter mile home. But now as I type I can tell it's swelling, so it's off to elevate and ice. I hope I can recover well enough to run again before the hike. Sprained ankles had never been a problem for me before. I'm not sure why it is now. Though it's clear I need to strengthen them badly.
Time: 8:15
Location: Ottawa Rd.
Two weeks before running a 5K this past June I twisted my left ankle really bad on a trail run up near Lake Arrowhead. Two weeks before climbing Cucamonga Peak in November I twist my other ankle running along a road by my house. Really? I guess the road to getting in shape is meant to be a difficult one. And I'm sure encountering my fair share of obstacles.
I don't have much to say about this run. It was a waste of one, essentially. I was planning on getting in 2 miles, and I felt like I'd be able to (unlike yesterday). But as I was running east along Ottawa Road a car was driving toward me and its headlights prevented me from seeing the ground in front of me. I was trying to avoid the lip of asphalt that sits about an inch above the dirt, but my right foot landed right on it and I went forward, almost face-planting into the dirt, but luckily regaining my balance. I was instantly upset considering the same thing had just happened 5 months earlier. But this ankle sprain seemed less severe and I contemplated continuing my run. But I also considered that if I damaged it further the hike would be off. So I hung my head and turned to walk home. My ankle was feeling pretty good, so I decided to lightly run the last quarter mile home. But now as I type I can tell it's swelling, so it's off to elevate and ice. I hope I can recover well enough to run again before the hike. Sprained ankles had never been a problem for me before. I'm not sure why it is now. Though it's clear I need to strengthen them badly.
Saturday, November 3, 2012
Better Late Than November
Distance: 1.04 miles
Time: 10:00
Location: Ottawa to Apple Valley
Here we are, November. Somehow a whole two months slipped by without a single run. Luckily my friends came up with the idea to hike to the top of Cucamonga Peak on November 17th, which meant that I had to start my training back up! So today I determined to lace up and get out there. Unfortunately the result was a less-than-stellar 1-mile run. I felt heavy, sloppy, and completely out of shape. It was a tough two months off apparently. I originally wanted to get 2 miles in, but right away I could tell I didn't have two miles in me. A cramp was threatening to set in and my breathing was wheezy and labored. I ran out to Apple Valley Rd. and turned around and headed back. I tried to keep as good a pace as I could and I gave a little kick at the end. It took me about 10 minutes to do the whole thing, but my pace was actually 9:35/mile. The truth of the matter is I let myself go quite a bit these past two months and now I have two weeks to repair the damage. Not an easy task, in fact quite near impossible. But what I can hope to do is simply get back on the right track and at least get my body used to physical exertion again. That way, when I'm climbing to the top of an 8,000 foot peak, my body won't break down in shock. So tonight's run was forgettable, but it was just one run. What's important is that I run each and every moment I'm able. I will not stop.
Time: 10:00
Location: Ottawa to Apple Valley
Here we are, November. Somehow a whole two months slipped by without a single run. Luckily my friends came up with the idea to hike to the top of Cucamonga Peak on November 17th, which meant that I had to start my training back up! So today I determined to lace up and get out there. Unfortunately the result was a less-than-stellar 1-mile run. I felt heavy, sloppy, and completely out of shape. It was a tough two months off apparently. I originally wanted to get 2 miles in, but right away I could tell I didn't have two miles in me. A cramp was threatening to set in and my breathing was wheezy and labored. I ran out to Apple Valley Rd. and turned around and headed back. I tried to keep as good a pace as I could and I gave a little kick at the end. It took me about 10 minutes to do the whole thing, but my pace was actually 9:35/mile. The truth of the matter is I let myself go quite a bit these past two months and now I have two weeks to repair the damage. Not an easy task, in fact quite near impossible. But what I can hope to do is simply get back on the right track and at least get my body used to physical exertion again. That way, when I'm climbing to the top of an 8,000 foot peak, my body won't break down in shock. So tonight's run was forgettable, but it was just one run. What's important is that I run each and every moment I'm able. I will not stop.
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