And I Ran....

That's right blog-o-lites, I ran today. For the first time in many weeks, I ran. It wasn't far and it wasn't fast, but....I RAN. 4.34 miles. It felt absolutely amazing to be back on the pavement. The sun was beating down on me, the sweat was pouring out, the tunes were rockin, and I was lovin it. It's really hard to describe the feeling that running gives me....while I'm out there, it's just me and the road. Nothing else.

When I got home I made myself a delicious protein shake with a side of FF yogurt, strawberries, and a 1/4 cup of granola. Mmmmmmm......

P.S. I apologize to all of the local residents that may have been temporarily blinded by the glare of my pale white skin. It was way too stinkin hot to keep a shirt on today.

It's a Boy!

I had my first physical therapy session this week....they did a ultrasound on my knee. Turns out that my knee is 8 weeks pregnant. HA. Actually, the ultrasound is suppose to help accelerate the healing process. It took about 5 minutes and then I was done...I didn't feel a thing. I'm hoping this actually works.

For the past few days my IT band has actually been feeling pretty good. Walking up and down stairs isn't nearly has painful as it was a few weeks ago and I've been able to get some quality miles in on the stationary bike. Depending on how things go this weekend, I'm considering a short run on Monday morning (don't tell the doc!!). We'll see...

I've got a weekend full of fun...golf today, bachelor party tonight, and bday goodness tomorrow. Can't wait for my cheesecake!!! I will say that turning 31 has been interesting for me. Now that I'm 'in my thirties' I'm really starting to reflect upon my life. So many good things have happened these past few years and it's hard to imagine celebrating my 31st in my former body and mind. It took me 31 years to reach this point of fitness....crazy that some people think they can do it in a few weeks. I'm also really feeling an urge to buy a fast sports-car....bday present maybe? :)

Here's to fitness, golf, good clean fun, and lots O' cheesecake!

Injury SitRep

Yep...still injured. I'm starting physical therapy tomorrow...the doc says I could start to see some changes after just 2-3 sessions. I REALLY hope so. Not being able to run is killing me. I know, it could be a lot worse for me...but, the running addiction is a hard habit to break once you get completely hooked. You feelin me dawg?

Here's to recovery...let's hope I'm back on the pavement soon.

The Illinois Half Marathon

Well, the Illinois Half Marathon is complete!!!...yet my knees and toes continue to BURN!!! I'm not gonna lie folks, this was by far the most challenging run/race I've ever completed - and I'm afraid my time shows the pain. 1:59:37....well beyond my PR and well beyond my target goal for this race. Stinkin knees....

Unfortunately, it wasn't just the knee that contributed to the poor time. I felt bad from the get go. Bad stomach cramps kicked in as soon as I started to run. Then at about mile 3.31 my knee bit it....hard. Luckily, I was able to run through it...or limp through it rather. I worked it out, but it was painful for the entire run. The stomach cramps went away until mile 12.5.....by that time my knee was screaming and my calves were cramping up. It was also friggin hot out there and there still weren't enough water stations!! Regardless....I FINISHED. I did beat my time from last year, but not by much....so I am happy about that!

Here's to never giving up, never quitting, and to MAKING IT HAPPEN!

I'm Digital!

Just in case you still have refused to go out and pay a few bucks to buy the magazine, it appears that the April issue of Men's Health is online now.

Check it out!

Belly Off!

Countdown!

9 days until the Illinois Half Marathon!!! Knee issues, chance for rain, lack of training over the past few weeks....no excuses!! This could be an interesting race folks!!

C U THERE!

Suck it Up and DRIVE ON

Today I reached a milestone in the p0st-cortisone knee recovery period. It's down to the wire on the Illinois half marathon training, so today was a pretty critical training day. I tried to run on Thursday, but made it to 5 miles and the knee had enough. I took Friday and Saturday off, icing and Aleve'ing. Today was the day. I decided I was just going to run until I couldn't handle the pain.

I picked a fairly flat route and set out to build my confidence for 1 MAY. I did the first 3 or so and felt decent, so I decided just to do the same loop again. By the time I reached the 6 mile mark the knee was definitely barking....but, I felt like I could endure the pain for a bit more. So....I drove on. Mile 7....feel the burn, suck it up.....mile 8....wanna quit, suck it up.....mile 9....good to go. 9 miles today....I'm not gonna lie, it wasn't easy and it certainly wasn't painfree. It wasn't fast either, but I learned a very valuable lesson. I can do 13.1....it's going to be painful and it's not going to be at PR pace. But, I can do it. You know what though?....it's NEVER been easy. I don't expect that to change. My knee hurts like a sunuva-you know what, but I'm not about to quit....even if I have to crawl across that damn finish line. Yeah, that's how I roll. :)