In a recent blog post, someone whose blog I follow was referencing her marathon training with the saying "the hay is in the barn", meaning that the training is done and all that's left to do is run your race. Turns out, we're both going to be running the very same marathon (Keybank Vermont City Marathon - Burlington, VT) this coming Sunday.
In my case, as far as my "training" is concerned, I'll go with "the fertilizer is in the shed". I sanitized the last phrase for your protection. My training cycle......well, it never really got off the ground. The good news is....I'm rested.........the bad news is.......I'm rested from LACK OF RUNNING. #fail
Any expectations, any hopes of a particular time......all out the window now. I'm going to find a slow pace group and hang on for dear life.
The expected weather.......looks CRAPPY. rain....wind......and temps MAYBE hitting 50. Perfect......my 4th marathon with crappy weather. At least it's not going to be hot like Boston last April!
My foot.....who the hell knows? I might be fine, or I might start running and fall over. I'm honestly not going to know until the gun goes off Sunday morning. Great.....gives me LOTS of confidence.
Part of me just wants to drive up to Vermont with my wife and enjoy a weekend away......take the DNS and move on..........but there's that other side of me that says unless I'm in a hospital bed, I'm running. I feel like this is an internal argument I'm going to be having right up until the gun goes off.
So that's it......face it, when it comes to where I'm at so far in 2013, I'm depressed. Definitely not turning out as I'd planned.
But who knows? I might have a great time on Sunday and surprise myself........could happen!
So wish me luck......my dear friends whom I've never met. Think I'll need your support......
#hopeful
P.S. for those following along at home, I'm runner #3205
Thursday, May 23, 2013
Thursday, May 9, 2013
Time to end the pity party!
I'm not going to lie to you.......this has been a tough period of time for me. Since finishing the Hartford Marathon last October, my running has taken a pretty sharp detour to a relatively bad place. I came into 2013 with big hopes and plans, wanting to run 2 marathons (Spring and Fall), as well as many other races........and since injuring my right heel way back in January, that just isn't going to happen. I'm doing a little better physically, but my mileage is WAY off of both where I thought it would be, and where I know it should be. I've got the Vermont City Marathon coming up in a little more than 2 weeks, and the plan was to try for a PR......well, that's not happening. My goal now is to just enjoy a beautiful run through the lovely Vermont countryside, having a great time without worrying about my time at all. Who knows? Maybe I'll feel great and run a respectable time? The main point is that I'm only running this to finish.....anything more will be a bonus.
Beyond the running however, is what could be seen as the real culprit behind my difficult year. This has been BY far the most challenging year I've had since becoming a teacher in 2005. I've had to work with new colleagues, which is a common challenge for educators. That situation has normalized, but it definitely added to the stress I've been feeling. Then, I've had to take on a different grade level.....for those who teach high school, that's part of their normal load, but in middle school it's a bit unusual. For the past 7 years, I've taught US History to 8th graders, but this year, my load is split between 8th grade and 7th grade World Geography. While taking on the additional curriculum is helping me become a better teacher, learning to deal with 7th grade students has been very difficult. 8th grade is practically high school, and those students tend to be more driven, focused, and mature. 7th grade is one step removed from 6th grade, which is basically elementary school, and their behavior is reflective of that proximity. Again, learning to navigate through the curriculum while juggling all of the behavior issues will help make me stronger in the classroom, but just like ANYTHING else that makes you stronger, it's exhausting. Most days, by the time I'm ready to leave school, I can barely muster the energy to get in my ride, let alone gear up for running.
In addition to dealing with the change in my teaching, it's been a very challenging year dealing with the administration of my school. The one thing I've always sought in any of my careers has been to be treated as a professional......someone who cares deeply and passionately about his work and is constantly seeking to improve. When arbitrary and flawed methodology is used to find fault where no fault exists, I have a problem. When evaluators are only looking for fault, they'll manage to find it.......the exact opposite of what we're expected to do with our students. For the last few years, I've been trying to hit a moving target when it comes to those evaluating my work....and each time I feel I've hit the target, I find that the target has been moved once again, without my knowledge. My students learn......they achieve......they advance......and I help them along the way. Anyone who suggests otherwise doesn't have a clue about just what it is that I do from day to day. Teacher is part art and part science, but it's mostly art. We perform alchemy on a daily basis, providing high-quality differentiated and individualized instruction to a population of students who are literally changing before our very eyes. After a while, it's easy to see why so many people give up and leave the teaching profession. It's one of the most rewarding careers one can have, yet at the same time it can also be among the most soul-crushing. It becomes very difficult to maintain a positive outlook and keep your morale up when virtually the only news you hear regarding your work is bad news. As I near the end of my 8th year as a classroom teacher, I know I'm a good teacher.......check that, I'm a GREAT teacher, but I might not fit into the mold the higher-ups seem to believe I should.
Needless to say, I come home from work every day a bit beaten-up and mentally fried.......not terribly conducive to lacing 'em up and hitting the road. I've been trying to fight through it as best I can, but combined with my foot injury, I find myself taking more days off than ever...........I keep hoping my foot will fully recover, and my school year will end on June 26th, so there's definitely light at the end of the tunnel. My hope is that the physical recovery will spill over and improve my mental outlook. That, in combination with a break from teaching, will be the tonic I seek. Naturally, I'm already worried about next year, but that's just a bridge I'll have to cross at that time.
It's been really hard to blog this year, because I feel like all I'm going to do is vent my frustrations, and that doesn't make for good reading......so I've been noticeably quiet. I appreciate all of you for reading, and I take great inspiration from all of your blogs......guess it reminds me that the sun will shine for me again, as it's shining for so many of you. I thank God every day for my wife.....without her, I'd really be struggling right now. She's been so patient, kind, and helpful with me as I try to navigate through all this crap. She's always been my biggest champion and knowing she's got my back means everything to me. "Into every life, some rain must fall...", right? My girl does her best to hold that umbrella up for me, and I love her more than I can say. Our son is also helping me through, in that way only a 9-year old can......just by being his usual goofy, sweet, adorable, kind, gentle self. He makes me so happy and proud to be his Daddy every day!
So the title of the post says it's time to end the pity party.......and that's just what I'm going to be focusing on for the next few weeks. I've never been one to wallow and I think this venting has helped already!!
See you all out there on the road!
Beyond the running however, is what could be seen as the real culprit behind my difficult year. This has been BY far the most challenging year I've had since becoming a teacher in 2005. I've had to work with new colleagues, which is a common challenge for educators. That situation has normalized, but it definitely added to the stress I've been feeling. Then, I've had to take on a different grade level.....for those who teach high school, that's part of their normal load, but in middle school it's a bit unusual. For the past 7 years, I've taught US History to 8th graders, but this year, my load is split between 8th grade and 7th grade World Geography. While taking on the additional curriculum is helping me become a better teacher, learning to deal with 7th grade students has been very difficult. 8th grade is practically high school, and those students tend to be more driven, focused, and mature. 7th grade is one step removed from 6th grade, which is basically elementary school, and their behavior is reflective of that proximity. Again, learning to navigate through the curriculum while juggling all of the behavior issues will help make me stronger in the classroom, but just like ANYTHING else that makes you stronger, it's exhausting. Most days, by the time I'm ready to leave school, I can barely muster the energy to get in my ride, let alone gear up for running.
In addition to dealing with the change in my teaching, it's been a very challenging year dealing with the administration of my school. The one thing I've always sought in any of my careers has been to be treated as a professional......someone who cares deeply and passionately about his work and is constantly seeking to improve. When arbitrary and flawed methodology is used to find fault where no fault exists, I have a problem. When evaluators are only looking for fault, they'll manage to find it.......the exact opposite of what we're expected to do with our students. For the last few years, I've been trying to hit a moving target when it comes to those evaluating my work....and each time I feel I've hit the target, I find that the target has been moved once again, without my knowledge. My students learn......they achieve......they advance......and I help them along the way. Anyone who suggests otherwise doesn't have a clue about just what it is that I do from day to day. Teacher is part art and part science, but it's mostly art. We perform alchemy on a daily basis, providing high-quality differentiated and individualized instruction to a population of students who are literally changing before our very eyes. After a while, it's easy to see why so many people give up and leave the teaching profession. It's one of the most rewarding careers one can have, yet at the same time it can also be among the most soul-crushing. It becomes very difficult to maintain a positive outlook and keep your morale up when virtually the only news you hear regarding your work is bad news. As I near the end of my 8th year as a classroom teacher, I know I'm a good teacher.......check that, I'm a GREAT teacher, but I might not fit into the mold the higher-ups seem to believe I should.
Needless to say, I come home from work every day a bit beaten-up and mentally fried.......not terribly conducive to lacing 'em up and hitting the road. I've been trying to fight through it as best I can, but combined with my foot injury, I find myself taking more days off than ever...........I keep hoping my foot will fully recover, and my school year will end on June 26th, so there's definitely light at the end of the tunnel. My hope is that the physical recovery will spill over and improve my mental outlook. That, in combination with a break from teaching, will be the tonic I seek. Naturally, I'm already worried about next year, but that's just a bridge I'll have to cross at that time.
It's been really hard to blog this year, because I feel like all I'm going to do is vent my frustrations, and that doesn't make for good reading......so I've been noticeably quiet. I appreciate all of you for reading, and I take great inspiration from all of your blogs......guess it reminds me that the sun will shine for me again, as it's shining for so many of you. I thank God every day for my wife.....without her, I'd really be struggling right now. She's been so patient, kind, and helpful with me as I try to navigate through all this crap. She's always been my biggest champion and knowing she's got my back means everything to me. "Into every life, some rain must fall...", right? My girl does her best to hold that umbrella up for me, and I love her more than I can say. Our son is also helping me through, in that way only a 9-year old can......just by being his usual goofy, sweet, adorable, kind, gentle self. He makes me so happy and proud to be his Daddy every day!
So the title of the post says it's time to end the pity party.......and that's just what I'm going to be focusing on for the next few weeks. I've never been one to wallow and I think this venting has helped already!!
See you all out there on the road!
Tuesday, April 16, 2013
A much-needed "recovery" run.....
Most of you use recovery runs to recover from a hard effort, or from a long run.....but after the events of yesterday, my needs were more of the mental/emotional/spiritual kind. My spirit was crushed yesterday, and desperately needed to be restored.
As many of you already know, I started this blog in an effort to chronicle my training for the 2012 Boston Marathon. I, like many others, will never qualify to run in my hometown marathon, but I was fortunate enough to be invited to be a part of a charity team (Melanoma Foundation of New England), so I guess you could say I snuck in through the back door. There are those out there who look down on the charity runners, never taking into account the hard work we do to both train for the race AND reach the fundraising goals set by the BAA. I'll never understand ANYONE who looks down on anyone else who runs a marathon, but people get a little nutty about Boston. After all, it's probably on everyone's "bucket list" and seeing people run the race who didn't make a qualifying time.......but considering the fact that the charity runners don't take away spots held for those who actually qualify on time, I can't understand the enmity. Considering the amounts raised for the various worthwhile charities who partner with the BAA, I can't see any negatives, but there are always going to be those who seek to diminish any of us who don't fit their preconceived profile/image of what a Boston runner should be.....
Naturally, I'd like to think that those people will keep their opinions to themselves now......
Barb, Ben and I made our way into the city to cheer on the runners at the beginning of the Newton hills...just past the fire station where you turn off of Route 16 and onto Commonwealth Avenue. Those of you who've run Boston know that the marathon truly begins on those hills.....the 17+ miles before those hills are just an extended warmup. We got down there early enough to see all the elites come by.....WOW. They just seem to float by.......their amazing form hiding the effort. Got a great shot of the woman from Portugal who was leading at the time. After the elites, we stayed to cheer on all the runners that followed. It was fascinating watching all the runners go by.......some of them seriously concentrating on the hills, while others were just enjoying being part of the most incredible parade in the world! It was also interesting to watch the form of the runners change as the runners from Wave 1 gave way to those from Wave 2.....and then Wave 3. Finally, my buddy Jose found me for a sweaty hug, and our day as spectators was done...
I left totally inspired to run......and a little bittersweet for not being a part of the parade.
We then went to lunch (at the always terrific Deluxe Town Diner in Watertown, MA) and then headed home.
I was driving west on the Mass Pike and noticed rather quickly that there seemed to be an unusually large number of State Police cars streaming into the city, lights blazing. I remarked to Barb that "something is wrong".........how unfortunately right I was.
I can't even begin to put words to how I feel.......all I can say is that I'm so glad that none of my friends who were running were hurt....none of their family or friends were hurt, either, but clearly my city and our marathon will never be quite the same. I don't know what to tell my son......he wasn't around for 9/11, but we've talked through that before. Barb and I were newlyweds....only married for about 6 weeks at the time, and having to confront the randomness. This is different.....the scale is obviously smaller, but it's OUR city......and the first bomb went off not far from where Barb and Ben were cheering for me when I was crying my eyes out as I was finishing the Marathon last year.
So this morning, I set out to run.....to clear my head.....to find or make some meaning of everything. I knew that 2.62 wasn't going to be enough for me, so I intended to double it and go for 5.24 instead. It was such a beautiful day here today.......seasonably warm....clear skies........perfect for running. And while my running usually serves the purpose of providing me with much-needed clarity, I sit here now, hours later, no clearer about anything that I was previously. I've read so many blogs already, and everyone is expressing their shock, sorrow, sadness, and confusion.
I have resolve.
I will never be able to run fast enough to qualify for the Boston Marathon, but I am determined to toe the line in Hopkinton next April......if for nothing more than to thumb my nose at those behind this cowardly attack. They will not stop us, and they will not stop me. I raised the money in 2012 and I will do it again. To honor those who lost their lives.......to honor those who were injured.....to honor the first responders who turned towards the carnage and confusion when others would turn away.....that the determination to run a marathon cannot be defeated.
As you all know, I've been dealing with a nagging injury this year. 2013 has not unfolded the way I had hoped it would, but I'm not going to let it stop me. I have a marathon to run in 6 weeks that I am clearly not going to be fully or completely prepared for, but I'm going to do it anyway. I'm going to persevere, because THAT'S WHAT BOSTONIANS DO!!!!!!! We will continue.....we will not be defeated......we will not cower......we will not be afraid........we will go on and we will rise again!
Boston 2014 will be a celebration of the human spirit......a celebration of the City of Boston......a celebration of all that is good and right with humanity........a celebration of runners and running........and the best damn parade around.
I'm going to do all I can to be out there next year......to feel that rush of emotions as I make that left turn onto Boylston Street........and there will be tears in my eyes again. I've cried a lot over the last 24 hours......cried at the sight of the devastation......cried at the sight of the victims.........cried at yet another cherished civic tradition ruined by the actions of cowards......cried at another loss of our collective innocence and sense of security....well, I'm tired of crying. The only action I can take is to take part.......my tears will be saved for the realization of a dream.
See you on Boylston Street next April!
As many of you already know, I started this blog in an effort to chronicle my training for the 2012 Boston Marathon. I, like many others, will never qualify to run in my hometown marathon, but I was fortunate enough to be invited to be a part of a charity team (Melanoma Foundation of New England), so I guess you could say I snuck in through the back door. There are those out there who look down on the charity runners, never taking into account the hard work we do to both train for the race AND reach the fundraising goals set by the BAA. I'll never understand ANYONE who looks down on anyone else who runs a marathon, but people get a little nutty about Boston. After all, it's probably on everyone's "bucket list" and seeing people run the race who didn't make a qualifying time.......but considering the fact that the charity runners don't take away spots held for those who actually qualify on time, I can't understand the enmity. Considering the amounts raised for the various worthwhile charities who partner with the BAA, I can't see any negatives, but there are always going to be those who seek to diminish any of us who don't fit their preconceived profile/image of what a Boston runner should be.....
Naturally, I'd like to think that those people will keep their opinions to themselves now......
Barb, Ben and I made our way into the city to cheer on the runners at the beginning of the Newton hills...just past the fire station where you turn off of Route 16 and onto Commonwealth Avenue. Those of you who've run Boston know that the marathon truly begins on those hills.....the 17+ miles before those hills are just an extended warmup. We got down there early enough to see all the elites come by.....WOW. They just seem to float by.......their amazing form hiding the effort. Got a great shot of the woman from Portugal who was leading at the time. After the elites, we stayed to cheer on all the runners that followed. It was fascinating watching all the runners go by.......some of them seriously concentrating on the hills, while others were just enjoying being part of the most incredible parade in the world! It was also interesting to watch the form of the runners change as the runners from Wave 1 gave way to those from Wave 2.....and then Wave 3. Finally, my buddy Jose found me for a sweaty hug, and our day as spectators was done...
I left totally inspired to run......and a little bittersweet for not being a part of the parade.
We then went to lunch (at the always terrific Deluxe Town Diner in Watertown, MA) and then headed home.
I was driving west on the Mass Pike and noticed rather quickly that there seemed to be an unusually large number of State Police cars streaming into the city, lights blazing. I remarked to Barb that "something is wrong".........how unfortunately right I was.
I can't even begin to put words to how I feel.......all I can say is that I'm so glad that none of my friends who were running were hurt....none of their family or friends were hurt, either, but clearly my city and our marathon will never be quite the same. I don't know what to tell my son......he wasn't around for 9/11, but we've talked through that before. Barb and I were newlyweds....only married for about 6 weeks at the time, and having to confront the randomness. This is different.....the scale is obviously smaller, but it's OUR city......and the first bomb went off not far from where Barb and Ben were cheering for me when I was crying my eyes out as I was finishing the Marathon last year.
So this morning, I set out to run.....to clear my head.....to find or make some meaning of everything. I knew that 2.62 wasn't going to be enough for me, so I intended to double it and go for 5.24 instead. It was such a beautiful day here today.......seasonably warm....clear skies........perfect for running. And while my running usually serves the purpose of providing me with much-needed clarity, I sit here now, hours later, no clearer about anything that I was previously. I've read so many blogs already, and everyone is expressing their shock, sorrow, sadness, and confusion.
I have resolve.
I will never be able to run fast enough to qualify for the Boston Marathon, but I am determined to toe the line in Hopkinton next April......if for nothing more than to thumb my nose at those behind this cowardly attack. They will not stop us, and they will not stop me. I raised the money in 2012 and I will do it again. To honor those who lost their lives.......to honor those who were injured.....to honor the first responders who turned towards the carnage and confusion when others would turn away.....that the determination to run a marathon cannot be defeated.
As you all know, I've been dealing with a nagging injury this year. 2013 has not unfolded the way I had hoped it would, but I'm not going to let it stop me. I have a marathon to run in 6 weeks that I am clearly not going to be fully or completely prepared for, but I'm going to do it anyway. I'm going to persevere, because THAT'S WHAT BOSTONIANS DO!!!!!!! We will continue.....we will not be defeated......we will not cower......we will not be afraid........we will go on and we will rise again!
Boston 2014 will be a celebration of the human spirit......a celebration of the City of Boston......a celebration of all that is good and right with humanity........a celebration of runners and running........and the best damn parade around.
I'm going to do all I can to be out there next year......to feel that rush of emotions as I make that left turn onto Boylston Street........and there will be tears in my eyes again. I've cried a lot over the last 24 hours......cried at the sight of the devastation......cried at the sight of the victims.........cried at yet another cherished civic tradition ruined by the actions of cowards......cried at another loss of our collective innocence and sense of security....well, I'm tired of crying. The only action I can take is to take part.......my tears will be saved for the realization of a dream.
See you on Boylston Street next April!
Sunday, March 24, 2013
No More Drama!
Ok....with apologies to Miss Mary J. Blige.........but that's the way I feel right now!
This has truly been the winter of my discontent..........a year ago, I was focused and determined, with the Boston Marathon looming just a few weeks ahead. Following a winter nearly devoid of snow, my training was rolling right along. I was healthy....and excited to complete the journey ahead of me. The joint focus of getting my mileage in AND raising the required amount of money for my charity....well, that's how this blog got started in the first place! Needless to say, that ridiculously hot April morning was the adventure of a lifetime, and I still get choked up when I remember the feeling of making that final turn off of Hereford Street onto Boylston Street and seeing that famous finishing straight spread out before me.
Now it's a year later and it seems as if none of that ever happened.
First off, this has been an epically (is that even a word? I don't know...nor care! LOL) crappy winter.....snow storm after snow storm......yuck! Last winter....well, last winter WASN'T.....only one measurable snow storm, and that was very early on. I'm a warm weather creature, so it allowed me to easily train for Boston without having to resort to the dreadmill.
A year ago, I was soooooooooo focused. My training was going great, and I had the secondary focus of raising all the necessary funds for my charity. Those concurrent efforts led directly to this blog, also giving me A LOT of source material to use for posting. This winter, I'm injured, off my training program for my upcoming marathon, and finding it REALLY difficult to write. Blech!
I went to my podiatrist last Monday......he's a runner himself, so he understands that "just don't run on it anymore" is NOT AN OPTION for how to deal with my heel pain. After examining my foot, he determined it to be a touch of bursitis. He taped up my foot with a couple of pads in different areas and told me I could get right back to running again, but I couldn't get the tape wet until I came back to see him in a week (which is now tomorrow afternoon). That meant that I couldn't realistically shower all week.......how fun was it to take a bath, all while keeping that foot out of the tub? It SUCKED!!!! But I managed. I still didn't really run all week....longest run was 6 miles this afternoon.......but I was able to run without pain, so perhaps it's getting better. I am definitely looking forward to going to see him again to work up a treatment plan for the future, as I know he's going to help me address the underlying issues that caused the injury in the first place.
That said, I've got my next marathon coming up on May 26th. Is it realistic for me to even consider the possibility of shooting for another PR when I've lost the last 3 weeks of training? There's no doubt that I can finish another marathon......I know what it takes to get there, but I don't want to just finish.....so maybe this is a blessing in disguise? Maybe I'll hit the starting line undertrained and fresh, relaxed, and with NO REAL EXPECTATIONS.
Ok.......now I feel better! LOL
I'm going to go to bed hopeful tonight......hopeful that I'll be able to get back on track with my training, get my shit together over the next 2 months, and have another great marathon experience.
At the very least, I'm pretty sure I'm going to have some more to blog about over the next few weeks.....starting tomorrow afternoon!
Rock on, readers......the Diesel will be back out there chasing his dreams......slowly......but steadily!
See you all out there down the road.......
This has truly been the winter of my discontent..........a year ago, I was focused and determined, with the Boston Marathon looming just a few weeks ahead. Following a winter nearly devoid of snow, my training was rolling right along. I was healthy....and excited to complete the journey ahead of me. The joint focus of getting my mileage in AND raising the required amount of money for my charity....well, that's how this blog got started in the first place! Needless to say, that ridiculously hot April morning was the adventure of a lifetime, and I still get choked up when I remember the feeling of making that final turn off of Hereford Street onto Boylston Street and seeing that famous finishing straight spread out before me.
Now it's a year later and it seems as if none of that ever happened.
First off, this has been an epically (is that even a word? I don't know...nor care! LOL) crappy winter.....snow storm after snow storm......yuck! Last winter....well, last winter WASN'T.....only one measurable snow storm, and that was very early on. I'm a warm weather creature, so it allowed me to easily train for Boston without having to resort to the dreadmill.
A year ago, I was soooooooooo focused. My training was going great, and I had the secondary focus of raising all the necessary funds for my charity. Those concurrent efforts led directly to this blog, also giving me A LOT of source material to use for posting. This winter, I'm injured, off my training program for my upcoming marathon, and finding it REALLY difficult to write. Blech!
I went to my podiatrist last Monday......he's a runner himself, so he understands that "just don't run on it anymore" is NOT AN OPTION for how to deal with my heel pain. After examining my foot, he determined it to be a touch of bursitis. He taped up my foot with a couple of pads in different areas and told me I could get right back to running again, but I couldn't get the tape wet until I came back to see him in a week (which is now tomorrow afternoon). That meant that I couldn't realistically shower all week.......how fun was it to take a bath, all while keeping that foot out of the tub? It SUCKED!!!! But I managed. I still didn't really run all week....longest run was 6 miles this afternoon.......but I was able to run without pain, so perhaps it's getting better. I am definitely looking forward to going to see him again to work up a treatment plan for the future, as I know he's going to help me address the underlying issues that caused the injury in the first place.
That said, I've got my next marathon coming up on May 26th. Is it realistic for me to even consider the possibility of shooting for another PR when I've lost the last 3 weeks of training? There's no doubt that I can finish another marathon......I know what it takes to get there, but I don't want to just finish.....so maybe this is a blessing in disguise? Maybe I'll hit the starting line undertrained and fresh, relaxed, and with NO REAL EXPECTATIONS.
Ok.......now I feel better! LOL
I'm going to go to bed hopeful tonight......hopeful that I'll be able to get back on track with my training, get my shit together over the next 2 months, and have another great marathon experience.
At the very least, I'm pretty sure I'm going to have some more to blog about over the next few weeks.....starting tomorrow afternoon!
Rock on, readers......the Diesel will be back out there chasing his dreams......slowly......but steadily!
See you all out there down the road.......
Friday, March 15, 2013
A tough, but necessary decision = heartbreak
After some very difficult soul searching, I reached a very tough decision this afternoon. The pain I've been feeling in my right heel for several weeks hasn't gone away....if anything, it's gotten worse. I've tried resting it.....taking several days off when my marathon training schedule has me running. I've been using ice......stretching.....doing everything I can think of..........hoping it would get better.
But it hasn't.....
I'm supposed to run the New Bedford Half Marathon this coming Sunday morning, but I'm not going to be toeing the line. In the interest of trying to make it to the line in Burlington, VT for the Keybank Vermont City Marathon over Memorial Day weekend, I'm going to skip New Bedford and completely shut down my running. As soon as possible, I'm going to go to a podiatrist and have the medical profession take a look at whatever is going on with my right heel.
I'm not going to lie.......this decision is breaking my heart. It's not so much the DNS that bothers me, although the only other time I had a DNS was when I was late leaving the house for a race last summer, and this is clearly a physically-related DNS. What bothers me so much is that I had to admit that I'm injured and need some medical attention. Not so much that it implies weakness, but just that it wasn't something I felt I could just "tough out" and work through without potentially causing more serious injury.
And as long as I'm being honest, I might as well admit that I haven't been blogging about my running because 2013 hasn't been a lot of fun yet. My running has been suffering due to this injury, and it's left me a bit dispirited. I find it very difficult to blog when I just don't have anything positive or inspirational to say.
My hope is that the podiatrist will be able to quickly determine the problem and have a solution that will get me back out on the road very soon. Naturally, the flip side of that is what I'm most afraid of.....that he'll come back and tell me that it's a more serious problem that will drastically curtail my running. After talking it over with my wife, she helped me to realize and admit that knowing is better than not knowing, even if it's bad news. Either way, I'll be able to move forward and get this thing dealt with.
Life has a funny way of jumbling your plans......and I'm now facing a roadblock. I'm hopeful that it's only temporary, and that I'll be back out there soon enough. If it isn't, I'll still move forward. I may be slowed down, but you can't stop The Diesel.......and I've got an appointment with marathon #4!!!
But it hasn't.....
I'm supposed to run the New Bedford Half Marathon this coming Sunday morning, but I'm not going to be toeing the line. In the interest of trying to make it to the line in Burlington, VT for the Keybank Vermont City Marathon over Memorial Day weekend, I'm going to skip New Bedford and completely shut down my running. As soon as possible, I'm going to go to a podiatrist and have the medical profession take a look at whatever is going on with my right heel.
I'm not going to lie.......this decision is breaking my heart. It's not so much the DNS that bothers me, although the only other time I had a DNS was when I was late leaving the house for a race last summer, and this is clearly a physically-related DNS. What bothers me so much is that I had to admit that I'm injured and need some medical attention. Not so much that it implies weakness, but just that it wasn't something I felt I could just "tough out" and work through without potentially causing more serious injury.
And as long as I'm being honest, I might as well admit that I haven't been blogging about my running because 2013 hasn't been a lot of fun yet. My running has been suffering due to this injury, and it's left me a bit dispirited. I find it very difficult to blog when I just don't have anything positive or inspirational to say.
My hope is that the podiatrist will be able to quickly determine the problem and have a solution that will get me back out on the road very soon. Naturally, the flip side of that is what I'm most afraid of.....that he'll come back and tell me that it's a more serious problem that will drastically curtail my running. After talking it over with my wife, she helped me to realize and admit that knowing is better than not knowing, even if it's bad news. Either way, I'll be able to move forward and get this thing dealt with.
Life has a funny way of jumbling your plans......and I'm now facing a roadblock. I'm hopeful that it's only temporary, and that I'll be back out there soon enough. If it isn't, I'll still move forward. I may be slowed down, but you can't stop The Diesel.......and I've got an appointment with marathon #4!!!
Tuesday, February 19, 2013
Marathon training?
so it's been nearly a month since I last blogged.......so much for getting back to it in the new year. I've never really been one to make "resolutions", but I am goal-driven, so this represents a small "fail".....nothing I can't recover from, but I'm going to have to do a better job. So as I sit here, enjoying my February vacation, still lounging about in my pajamas, slurping down my 3rd cup of coffee on this lazy Tuesday morning, I'm contemplating just what I want to do today.
The reason I've put a question mark in the title is because it really doesn't feel as if I'm in training for my 4th marathon. As I mentioned a while back, I'm trying the Hanson's Marathon Method training plan (beginner) for this one, having previously gone with the Higdon plan. Currently, I'm at the beginning of Week 5 of 18.....and the way the plan is structured, the "fun" doesn't even begin until Week 6. The first 5 weeks consist of easy runs....ending with a long run of just 6 miles. As I've been struggling with health/injury issues, my weekly mileage totals have been all over the place so far:
Week Plan Actual
1 10 16
2 15 4
3 21 8
4 21 18
I've previously mentioned that I've been dealing with some heel pain, so I've been working on stretching my right foot often, but over the past 10 days or so, I've been icing that bad boy down and it's REALLY helped a lot. As a teacher, I'm on my feet all day long, so any foot-related issues tend to get magnified, but I feel like I've turned a corner this week and things are going to get better from here on out.
After one more easy week this week, the Hanson's plan kicks into gear in Week 6 with the introduction of speedwork and a tempo run, as well as an increase in weekly mileage. I'm thankful that I've carried a solid base forward from last year, but I know I'm going to have to be very careful as things get harder. I know from previous experience that the training buildup will be difficult, but my goal is to make it to the starting line in Burlington, VT in one piece. Getting injured is NOT part of my plan, so if I come in a little undertrained, I'll take it.
My next race is coming up in 3 1/2 weeks (New Bedford Half Marathon) and I've got a few friends who are also running that one, so it'll be fun to see them out there. For me, it's a training run and a "check-in" to see how my training is progressing, so I'm not trying for a PR. Having run it once before (2009 - 2:04), I know what to expect from the course, so I think 2:10 is a realistic goal. Of course, I know all too well that the day will bring what the day will bring, so I'll just wait and see.
So today, it's not snowing.......and the rain isn't supposed to start until later this afternoon, and with the temps currently around 40 (with 10+mph winds...feels like 33), I'm thinking I might actually lace 'em up and head out for an easy 5 miles........sounds like a plan. Time for this diesel to get moving!
See you all out there on the road!
The reason I've put a question mark in the title is because it really doesn't feel as if I'm in training for my 4th marathon. As I mentioned a while back, I'm trying the Hanson's Marathon Method training plan (beginner) for this one, having previously gone with the Higdon plan. Currently, I'm at the beginning of Week 5 of 18.....and the way the plan is structured, the "fun" doesn't even begin until Week 6. The first 5 weeks consist of easy runs....ending with a long run of just 6 miles. As I've been struggling with health/injury issues, my weekly mileage totals have been all over the place so far:
Week Plan Actual
1 10 16
2 15 4
3 21 8
4 21 18
I've previously mentioned that I've been dealing with some heel pain, so I've been working on stretching my right foot often, but over the past 10 days or so, I've been icing that bad boy down and it's REALLY helped a lot. As a teacher, I'm on my feet all day long, so any foot-related issues tend to get magnified, but I feel like I've turned a corner this week and things are going to get better from here on out.
After one more easy week this week, the Hanson's plan kicks into gear in Week 6 with the introduction of speedwork and a tempo run, as well as an increase in weekly mileage. I'm thankful that I've carried a solid base forward from last year, but I know I'm going to have to be very careful as things get harder. I know from previous experience that the training buildup will be difficult, but my goal is to make it to the starting line in Burlington, VT in one piece. Getting injured is NOT part of my plan, so if I come in a little undertrained, I'll take it.
My next race is coming up in 3 1/2 weeks (New Bedford Half Marathon) and I've got a few friends who are also running that one, so it'll be fun to see them out there. For me, it's a training run and a "check-in" to see how my training is progressing, so I'm not trying for a PR. Having run it once before (2009 - 2:04), I know what to expect from the course, so I think 2:10 is a realistic goal. Of course, I know all too well that the day will bring what the day will bring, so I'll just wait and see.
So today, it's not snowing.......and the rain isn't supposed to start until later this afternoon, and with the temps currently around 40 (with 10+mph winds...feels like 33), I'm thinking I might actually lace 'em up and head out for an easy 5 miles........sounds like a plan. Time for this diesel to get moving!
See you all out there on the road!
Monday, January 21, 2013
A new beginning.....again!
So the 18-week training cycle leading up to my next marathon begins tomorrow.........and once again, those early doubts start creeping in once again. As I've been dealing with some nasty little PF issues in my right heel, I'm a little concerned when I look ahead to the increase in both the frequency and distance of training runs. I'm not really sure what's brought it on.......although I'm pretty sure the weight I've put on since my last marathon (back in October) is a contributing factor. The weight will come off gradually as I start to train, but any type of pain is always somewhat problematic. Thankfully, the Hanson plan starts off with a few easy weeks before really ramping things up, so I'm going to do everything I can to stretch out my right foot every day.
I've been doing almost all of my runs lately on the dreadmill, and while it's terribly boring, I'd rather run indoors than not at all. When I'm not on a training plan, I can freely admit to be not as motivated as I am when on a plan, so I find myself not so inclined to run outside during the winter. Our winter here in New England has been pretty mild so far, but my hypothyroidism leaves me extra sensitive to cold, particularly in my hands. Given the choice, I tend to choose the indoor route. Some would say that makes me a "wimp"....ok, call me what you want....I hate it when runners denigrate other runners. While our "community" can be tremendously supportive (particularly those who read and write blogs!), there are plenty of those out there who like to look down on others who aren't as fast/skinny/tough as they are. I'm a big man who only started running in my late 40's after deciding to fight my way out of a lifetime of obesity. I'll never be as skinny or as fast as others, but I've run 3 marathons (including the 2012 Boston Marathon), so I'll take anyone on who claims I'm lacking in toughness simply because I choose to occasionally run indoors on a day when others would run outdoors. "Judge not, lest ye be judged"......
I'm hoping to PR in May, so I've got a long, hard road ahead of me. This training program is more qualitative than quantitative in nature, and that's going to be a big change from the way I've trained previously. Adding in speedwork......OMG, I'm going to be doing SPEEDWORK? Of course, you'll be able to time my repeats with a sundial, but you'd better believe I'll be doing them!
All that said, NOW I'll have every reason I need to blog regularly.....as the schedule kicks in, I know I'll be having LOTS to share. I've been saying for a long time that I've been needing to start blogging again, so FINALLY, I think I can put that all to rest.
The schedule begins tomorrow........the end point is on May 26th in Burlington, Vermont.
Wish me luck........and I'll see you all down the road!
I've been doing almost all of my runs lately on the dreadmill, and while it's terribly boring, I'd rather run indoors than not at all. When I'm not on a training plan, I can freely admit to be not as motivated as I am when on a plan, so I find myself not so inclined to run outside during the winter. Our winter here in New England has been pretty mild so far, but my hypothyroidism leaves me extra sensitive to cold, particularly in my hands. Given the choice, I tend to choose the indoor route. Some would say that makes me a "wimp"....ok, call me what you want....I hate it when runners denigrate other runners. While our "community" can be tremendously supportive (particularly those who read and write blogs!), there are plenty of those out there who like to look down on others who aren't as fast/skinny/tough as they are. I'm a big man who only started running in my late 40's after deciding to fight my way out of a lifetime of obesity. I'll never be as skinny or as fast as others, but I've run 3 marathons (including the 2012 Boston Marathon), so I'll take anyone on who claims I'm lacking in toughness simply because I choose to occasionally run indoors on a day when others would run outdoors. "Judge not, lest ye be judged"......
I'm hoping to PR in May, so I've got a long, hard road ahead of me. This training program is more qualitative than quantitative in nature, and that's going to be a big change from the way I've trained previously. Adding in speedwork......OMG, I'm going to be doing SPEEDWORK? Of course, you'll be able to time my repeats with a sundial, but you'd better believe I'll be doing them!
All that said, NOW I'll have every reason I need to blog regularly.....as the schedule kicks in, I know I'll be having LOTS to share. I've been saying for a long time that I've been needing to start blogging again, so FINALLY, I think I can put that all to rest.
The schedule begins tomorrow........the end point is on May 26th in Burlington, Vermont.
Wish me luck........and I'll see you all down the road!
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