Sunday 9-30-07

After the long run of Saturday I thought maybe I would be really sore today. But, actually, I was not. We went to church, had lunch and I cam home and washed and waxed my car. Man, was it filthy! It had been months since I waxed it and this cleaning was long overdue. It took me most of the afternoon and then I went for a four mile run right before dinner. It felt good to work out a little soreness and see how my body bounced back from yesterday's long run. Every long run I do in this training sets a record for the longest I have run in a loooong time. 4 miles in 36 minutes.

Saturday 9-29-07

We started the day in McDonough, GA where our son, Steven, was competing in a duathlon. This was a sprint length consisting of a 5K run, 14 mile bike and another 5K run. He did pretty well finishing in 1:36, third in his age group. He is excited and we are proud.

After a two hour nap this afternoon and watching Alabama play a sorry half of football, I took off for a run. My training schedule for today called for a 10-11 mile run. I debated whether to do that today or wait and do it on Sunday. So, I left the house thinking I might not run far. As I ran, though, I realized I needed a small victory today to prove something to myself. I hurt in several places, including my left foot, my left groin and side. I decided to forge ahead and by the time I got to the Riverwalk I had run over 4 miles and was feeling better. As a matter of fact, I got my second wind on the river and decided to run far enough to make it an out and back 11 mile run. On the way back my legs started feeling the effects but I kept up the pace. I ended up running about 10.7 miles in 1:36 which is as little better than a 9 minute pace. YES!

Thursday 9-27-07

Well, the runs are getting longer in the morning and that means I have got to get started earlier or I am going to be late for work. This morning was just the opposite; I got started later. I just was dragging this morning and finally got out of the house at 5:45. I ran a little over 6-1/2 miles in what was supposed to be a faster tempo pace. That went not as well as I had hoped since I struggled up hills and battled fatigue in my legs. I ended up running it at a 9:13 pace which is a little faster than average for me. Someday I hope to be able to run faster. My next scheduled run is a Saturday 11 miler.

Monday 9-24-07

Today is the start of week 6 of my training schedule. 45 minutes of cross training had me at the pool swimming a mile. Swimming is a great way to increase cardiovascular capacity and I think this is going to help my training tremendously.

Sunday 9-23-07

We were in Tuscaloosa, AL this weekend to visit our daughter and watch Alabama get rolled by Georgia. Not a perfect weekend as my team came up short. I ran 9.5 miles on Saturday morning early before we left town. I ran from our house down to the riverwalk and back. Man, am I slow! My time came in at over a 10 minute mile average. My side/groin hurt mercilessly. I am beginning to have second thoughts about the viability of being able to run a marathon. I have an appointment with a surgeon on Oct. 18th to get it checked out, so until then I am going to keep on my training schedule and bear the pain. Weather was hot and humid Sat. AM, I wore the camelbak and NEEDED IT! I lost volumes of water during that run.

Sunday after getting back in town, Steven and I ran 3.1 miles through the neighborhood. Easy run, just as the schedule calls for.

Thursday 9-20-07

Today's workout called for a 4-5 mile tempo run. This is supposed to be a run where you push yourself and run at a uncomfortable, even painful pace. Well, as usual, I started out with my side hurting and that took at least a 1/2 mile to work out. Then as i got into the meat of the run, my stomach starting cramping. To make this long story short, my run turned out to be a bust. I was able to finish the 5 mile run at an average easy pace of 9:12 but nothing like it should have been. Oh well, I guess I am thankful just to be finishing. The next run, hopefully, will be better. I have got a 9 miler scheduled for Saturday.

Wednesday 9-19-07

My training schedule calls for a 3-4 mile easy run today. I ran 4 easy miles, time was 38 minutes flat. The first 1/2 mile was fairly painful with my side hurting but after that the pain eased off and it was a good run. Great weather, temp in the lower 60's, air dry...great running weather.

I went to the doctor yesterday to discuss the possible hernia. They could not tell from an external examination I had any problems. I have an appointment with a surgeon next month to discuss what could be causing the pain in my lower abdomen. It could still be a hernia but deep enough not to be felt bulging.

NASA Racing Championships

I know it appears from my lack of commentary on my auto racing venture, that things have taken a back seat to real life issues. Well, that is pretty much the case. A serious lack of funds has indefinitely put my project on hold. It is disappointing but until some things change I won't be behind the wheel. That doesn't stop me from dreaming, however, and last week's NASA National Championships at Mid-Ohio Raceway looked too fun for words. Here are some pictures of the Spec E30 cars like I am building...

Tuesday 9-18-07

What a difference cool weather makes to the psyche. I ran 5.6 miles this morning for my 5-6 mile quality run. Time was 52:16. I felt good except for the nagging hernia. I have decided to go see the doctor and find out what needs to be done. If I thought it would not rupture and cause serious problems, I would keep training for the December marathon. The pain is not unbearable but it is the kind of pain that seems like it could get worse in a hurry.

On a positive note, however, I feel like I am getting in shape, finally. If the hernia doesn't stop me, I should be in good shape by December.

Monday 9-17-07

Today starts week five of my marathon training. The schedule calls for 45 minutes of cross training. I swam at the Y during lunch for 46 minutes and covered about 1-1/8 miles. It was a good swim, probably one of the best I've had in a while. I tried swimming hard for one lap and then easy for the next and alternated this for most of the distance. I think this is going to improve my cardiovascular capacity tremendously. My hernia is still very sore. It doesn't hurt when I swim but when I got out of the pool, WHOA! I think I better start using the ladder or I am going to make it worse.

Saturday 9-15-07

Saturdays are the days for my long training and this week we were in Tuscaloosa for the Alabama football game. So, the run was planned for the streets of Tuscaloosa. I mapped out an eight mile course and set on my way mid-morning. It was quite an experience. Yeah, I know eight miles is not much for most runners training for a marathon but it was for me. The course took me down a couple of streets that were not good running streets; no sidewalks or good places on the shoulder to run. And the cars were less than accommodating! I almost was hit by a fellow turning right onto a four lane street because he failed to see me coming from his right. This was probably the closest I have come to getting hit by a car. The weather was great. Warm but dry with a nice breeze. I wore a new Camelbak hydration belt and it worked great. The fluids definitely made it a better run. my side still hurts in the area I suspect is a hernia. It remains to be seen if this is going to be a show-stopping injury. I pray it will not.

Thursday 9-13-07

Out for my 4-5 mile tempo run this morning. Weather is still hanging on. We are supposed to be getting a lot of rain this weekend as there is a hurricane hitting the Texas coast then moving this way. I ran my regular 5 miler but at a quicker pace; actually a little slower than Tuesday of this week. I am feeling stronger, though, and I feel like my cardio system is gaining endurance.

Wednesday 9-12-07

Up at 4:00 this AM but very sleepy. I did manage to get out and do my training run of 4 easy miles. I felt OK but my side (hernia) is hurting increasingly. I hope this pain doesn't get worse. the first one mile of the run, I almost have to limp to keep from pulling the muscles in that area.

The weather was warm and muggy. I wonder when we are going to get a break from this?

My son has been training for and competing in triathlons this summer and his enthusiasm has infected me, as well. I am excited about this marathon I going to do. I just hope I can avoid any injuries.

Tuesday 9-11-07

My training schedule today calls for a quality run of 4-5 miles. I ran my regular 5 mile loop in a record 43:35, faster time yet. I was able to do some fartlek training without stopping to walk. I feel my capacity to regain my wind increasing. The big negative, however, is these nagging little pains I've got, including a hernia that continues to flair up.

Monday 9-10-07

Today is my beautiful wife's birthday. She is now the same age as me!

My marathon training continues after an off day Sunday. My schedule calls for 45 minutes of cross training. I went to the Y at lunch and swam one mile! The first time in several months I have swum this far. Time was 46 minutes. I can tell the running I have been doing has kept my wind up and allowed me to stay in fair shape. I know I have a long way to go but I am making progress.

Weather is cooling some what but still not cool enough.

Tuesday 9-4-07

I am working an odd shift this week so I am getting up a little later in the morning. But, the marathon schedule must go on. Today I ran what is called a "quality" run of 4-5 miles. This involves intervals of faster running that get my out of a comfort zone into one of more painful running. This is designed to increase the cardiovascular capacity and eventually get me in shape to endure 26.2 miles. The run went a little better than expected. I had to walk at the end of the faster intervals and going up one big hill but my time was still almost two minutes faster than my normal run.

Monday September 3, 2007

Today is Labor Day, so no work. My training plan today calls for 30 minutes of cross training; no running. I went with Kellye this morning and walked a brisk two miles. I will call this my cross training for the day. I spent the rest of the day working on the kitchen cabinets, so I was actually fairly tired by the end of the day.

Saturday 9-1-07

We were in Tuscaloosa for the first Alabama football game AND to see out daughter. But, the marathon training must go on. Steven and I ran through the streets of Tuscaloosa. It was a good run, a little slower than I thought but it was extremely humid and that takes so much out of me. The planned run was an easy 5-6 miler and we ended up running 5.8 miles.