CLOSED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE

Not enough variety in my running life as well as too many backlogged projects to justify a second blog.

Nothing lasts forever, not even blog closings.

Until then, I'll be back where I started: Write Enough.

Thanks for stopping by, Kiley.

Good Luck Kiley and Kate!

This Monday is Patriot's Day, hence another Boston Marathon. I don't know anyone running this year, but wish all participants well.

Ran a modest three miles today at 1x2 run/walk ratio. No pain, but there's nothing to strengthen or improve. My injury is such that the knee can only deteriorate. If I want to run again, train, race, I'm going to need a procedure.

Tomorrow, Kiley and Kate Freeman tackle a fifty-mile race, winding through the Angeles National Forest. Train, train, train and finally the day comes and you can hardly sleep the night before. Off with you both! Tear it up, guys!

Door Number Two

Today's orthopedist was a young, upbeat guy, totally down with my running. He was confident I could marathon again. My regular ortho had recommended three fixes:

A. Stick a bone plug in the pothole.

B. Bleed a nearby bone in order to grow new cartlidge.

C. Replace the knee.

Today's ortho felt B held the best chance. Pro athletes have utilized this procedure and returned to action. Of course, my age remains a factor, but I feel it's worth a go. My knee would remain immobile for six weeks, then perhaps three months of physical therapy, then three months of light running. I'd be looking at late '09, early '10 before I could train - provided everything worked.

I shall explore further.

Perspective

Skipped my pool workout due to all-encompassing fatigue. Seeing another orthopedist tomorrow. Even if he's a gung-ho guy with a red hot procedure that will get me running in two months, I'd still have to acquire new health care to pay for it.

Saw my friend Dale yesterday. His cancer has spread from the colon to the hip. Right now, he's fighting over whether or not to keep fighting. His intestines have been operated on so many times that his stomach muscles have lost their snap, leaving him a sagging pot belly cross-hatched with scars. I think he'd swap all that for a bum knee any time.

So on to ortho #3.

Two Approaches

Last week Emil ran five back-to-back 5Ks in Carlsbad. He's out running 12 today. That's the spirit! I'll be inside drinking coffee and working with My Darling Wife on switching our health care coverage. (Now that I've finally gotten my MRI.)

On the subject of "spirits," a most Happy Easter!

Just a Reminder

Here's where I want to be:

Headline News

As Kiley tapers for his 50-mile race next week, the local press gave him a shout-out.

Oops

Overdid it yesterday. My knee's been sore all afternoon. Did some core work today. I'll probably chill training-wise over Easter weekend and start back swimming on Monday. 

I downloaded a 5K training schedule. I'm going to convert the workouts into aqua runs and see if that makes aqua running more interesting. I ran "ladders" in the pool the other day and it made the time fly. Maybe there's a maritime marathon I can sign up for.   

This guy has some good aqua running scoop.

Doc Smith Weighs In

Called Dr. Smith about my knee. He recommended an ortho who happens to run. That might help. Doc Smith said there's a procedure that injects fluid into "potholes" much like Dap seals wall cracks. I'll give the new guy a try next week and see what he thinks about Dap. 

Swam today, then ran three miles. A wee bit of tenderness in the knee, but no pain. I ran, then walked whenever I felt, going by feel. It's nice to run even a little.

Not to Brag, But...

According to an article, triathlons lead marathons in sudden deaths. Neither sport is turning into a Killing Field, but triathlons loose a few more, mostly in the swimming department. Marathons, however, lead in slow, painful deaths, mostly after 20 miles. 

Saw Katie, F.J., and Andy over at the Rose Bowl last Saturday. They ran the Pasadena Marathon with all the wind and rain. F.J. thought it a cursed race. At one point, the wind blew down two huge palm fronds that just missed Andy. I told him he had his Palm Sunday a week early. Andy gave a weak laugh and went away.

At least he was safe and didn't add to any statistics.

Sunday Swim/Gym

My own little duathalon. On Sundays I swim a half hour, then do 40-45 minutes on either the stationary bike or elliptical. However the lap pool at my health club usually turns into a mad swim, with elderly people walking up and down the lanes, teens darting in-between regular lap swimmers, and foreigners simply standing in the water up to their waists talking loudly, perhaps discussing light opera or designing cathedrals. I should make an effort to use the Rose Bowl Aquatic Center. They have their own quirky folk, but at least everyone knows the water is for exercise and not a big wet park.

No soreness from Saturday's run. I'll venture another three miles on Thursday.

Forward

I've got feelers out to another orthopedist, I'm researching the injury, and I ran today. Not far or fast, but pain-free. I'll take it slow and let the knee be my guide. 

A lawyer friend of mine knows a pro-basketball referee whose familiar with the sport's clinic all the Lakers use. There's about six degrees of separation in that connection, but mayhap I can obtain a contact to whom I'll send my MRI report and garner some treatment info. 

Sport's docs. I need a sport's doc. When you describe your passion for a sport to a doctor, who then says, 'Can't you do something else?', then you know you're dealing with the wrong guy.

Speaking of sports medicine, there's the most noble Dr. Smith of Pasadena. If nothing else, I should ask him his opinion. 

Trail's End?

Seven months and finally man, MRI and MD met in the same room. To begin - no meniscus tears; ACL, PCL and collateral ligaments were intact. Cruciate ligaments were intact and my patellar facets appeared especially well-preserved.

However I had a focal osteochondral injury or lesion. The doctor called it a "pothole" in my knee, the result of bone erosion. No idea how long it's been there or even if running was the cause. However it's there now. He mentioned three cures, but all would necessitate not running any more. I'm free to run or walk now, but all such activity will continue eroding the pothole. Since I'm not in anything like steady discomfort, the doctor suggested leaving the pothole alone, and, when the pain eventually picked up, selecting from the cure hat trick.

A most curious state. I'm going to have to have a procedure done eventually and so the temptation is to use up the knee while I still can. But I'm sort of numb and need to take time to let all this sink in.

I have no passion for any other sport.

Shivers Down the Backbone

Fresh off his Tokyo triumph, Jimmy Dean Freeman plans to run 68 miles this Saturday in preparation for his debut in the Western States 100. (Cancelled last year because of fire.) Along with a friend preparing for the Miwok 100K, Jimmy intends running the Backbone trail from Point Mugu to Will Rogers State Park in Santa Monica.  Pace and terrain being what they are, that's about 16 hours of running. 

Speaking of mile-stackers, my friend Tim sent me this link about a man who just reached his goal of running eight miles a day until he reached 100,000. It only took him 34 years. He's now thinking about maybe setting other life goals that don't involve running. 

Kind of like me these days. 

Within the MRI

In the film Soylent Green, the world is an overpopulated dystopia. In one scene, actor Edward G. Robinson discovers an appalling secret and decides life isn't worth living. So he checks into the neighborhood suicide center. There he's given a lethal beverage, placed on a couch in a darkened room with his choice of classical music, and slowly dies.

That scene kept running through my head during the MRI. When the technician slid me into the machine, my head looked up at an array of lights and LED readouts, counting down, resetting, counting down again. Whirrs, clicks, extended buzzes sounded from the machine while the surface I rested on moved subtly forward and back. Throughout, I wore head phones pumping my ears full of New Age and World music: soothing Celtic tunes, steel drums, very relaxing. (They're going to kill me!)

But I survived just fine and now await word from the orthopedist. In the meantime, I'm meeting TNT chums on Monday at the pool. They train for a triathalon, while I train. But watery misery loves company, so it should be fun.   

MRI Update

Tomorrow evening. Yeee-ha!

Swam today. For some reason the lanes seemed smaller than usual. Did a few laps, then lengths for 35 minutes, then aqua ran for 45. My arms were heavy at the end. Stay in the pool and get better. Chlorine tires me out. I want to nap once I get home. And eat. But not at the same time.

Way to Go!

Congrats to F.J., Anna, Ryan, Crystal, Emil and all the other runners who braved wind and rain to finish the Pasadena Marathon. 

Dean FreemJimmy

Jimmy posted a Facebook link to his splits. (Note the artistic spelling of his name.) Kate didn't run, but took photos and yelled. Apparently, conditions were windy and rainy - as they are now for those afoot in the Pasadena Marathon.

"There is No Finish Line"

Nice quote by Joan Benoit Samuelson, now in her 50s, who just set an American age-group 3K record of 10 minutes 22.69 seconds.

In the "People I Know" category, Jimmy Dean Freeman ended a 6 and a half year quest to break 3 hours in the Tokyo Marathon. He called sub-three earlier today, than backed it up with a 2:58:19 finish. That's 6:48 a mile. Congrats to Jimmy on reaching his goal. No idea on how wife Kate did, but I should know soon.

Meanwhile, as I wait for MRI approval, I can't even run my mouth.

I Miss Chow

Last year, I assistant coached San Gabriel Valley Team in Training. Here is a picture from 09 Phoenix Marathon. Coach Dave is to my right with Virginia (l) and Kim Possible (r) ahead of us near the half-way point. That's the last time I ran any amount of distance, most of it "coaching" miles. (Speed up, slow down, double back, find teammates, run teammates in.)

Today, I met my old Team in Pasadena as they trained for the San Diego and Seattle Marathons. As in days past, they were holding a barbecue after a long run. Spread out on the picnic table were hot dogs, hamburgers, and strange soy products that looked like real food, plus cakes, bagels, chips, whatever. No longer do I burn the calories allowing me to scarf down all that tasty snackage without bulking up. So I had a grape.

Several coaches are training for triathlons and we compared notes on swimming in over-chlorinated pools. (Even after a shower, your skin's so dry you look like you rolled in a salt lick.)

Meanwhile, over on Facebook, former TNT coach Jimmy Freeman predicted a sub-three hour finish in tomorrow's Tokyo Marathon. Best of luck to Jimmy and wife Kate, plus all the Pasadena marathoners.

May they run like deer and eat like pigs.

Like A Great Moonhead . . .

I was messing around with the template and managed to screw up the blog. I've had to reconstruct. What a bother.

D1 Track Workouts

Need a challenge? Courtesy of Flotrack, the University of New Mexico Lobos log in repeats. Here's their workout:



*Milers/3k - 10x400 w/1min rest (65-66 for first five; 62-63 for second five)

5k/10k - 16x400 w/1min rest (65-66 throughout; first 5 with milers)

Feels Like Old Times

Over thirty and itching to set a record? The USA Master's Track and Field Indoor Championships happen this Friday through Saturday in Landover, Maryland. Olympic marathon winner Joan Benoit Samuelson, 1981 middle distance champ Henry Rono and other top athletes from back in the day will be gunning for American and world records. Televised? Bwaaa-haha. Who wants to watch a bunch of old wrecks? Other than me, that is.

Upcoming Races

More pool training. I used the kickboard for around 15 minutes, then freestyle swam 30, then aqua ran for 45. Knee felt a bit tender today, so I backed off sprints. Forty-five minutes consisted of 12 25-meter laps. (300 meters).

Jimmy Dean Freeman and his bride, Kate, will be running the Tokyo Marathon Saturday. They're honeymooning over in Thailand, betting on muay thai matches and chasing apes for sport.

Pasadena Marathon is this weekend. Good luck to F.J., Anna, and many more who are giving the race a second try. (Cancelled in November due to smoke from the hill fires.)

Head Start

Running Within examines mental and spiritual facets of running, listing techniques such as visualization and affirmations that can help runners tap the power of the subconscious to achieve peak performances, accept set-backs, deal with injuries (me), and grow with the sport. I've cherry-picked snippets from this book and had good results. A systematic approach could be invaluable in rounding out a training or rehab program. Very much worth a read.

Cycle of Violence

Actually, it wasn't that bad. But I can't stand up on the stationary bike because of my knee. So I sit and peddle as fast as I can. Doesn't seem like I'm getting that much of a workout. I rowed for 10 minutes and did core and hip work. Still some stiffness to my legs from yesterday's aqua run.



Speaking of running, Flotrack has footage from the NCAA Indoor Championship. Here's a clip from the women's 3K final. Colorado's Jenny Barringer laps the field to set a new NCAA record. Quite an impressive kick, I'm thinking.

Medical News

The new doc recommended an MRI. He seemed confidant the insurance company would approve. However from approval to scheduling to MRI to meeting the doc again will take six weeks. If surgery is needed, that's another six to twelve weeks. At a minimum, I'm seeing no running until June or July. No walking or hiking either. Swimming pool, thou art my new home.

Speaking of which, I swam today.Did a workout that started with kickboard laps, then freestyle, followed by 45 minutes of aqua running with intervals (aqua fartlek if you will), and a cool down of easy laps. 1:38:09 total.

Next time I run on a dirt trail, I'll have gills.

I Am A Big Chicken

I bailed on swimming this morning and felt bad. I stink at swimming. Naturally, the answer is lessons and swim more, but bailing seemed easier. I ended up doing some core work later in the day. Tomorrow, I see the new doc about my knee. Hopefully, this is the beginning of the end. The last orthopedist I spoke with leaned toward meniscus tear. I know runners who have recovered from that. If that's what I have, I hope to be one too.

Without running, I've put on about 16 pounds since September. My cholesterol is up and I have to watch what I eat. I hate watching what I eat. There's nothing like a big, high-mileage breakfast after a long run. Ha, well. No more of that. But it'll be good to whittle away poundage before I hit the road again.

Howdy!

Back in September 2008, while training for a marathon that I hoped would get me Boston, I suffered a knee injury. Over the months, this injury has been variously diagnosed as a stress fracture, tendinitis, bone bruise, and cartilage tear. I'm weary of cross-training, but that is my lot. Hopefully, a new doctor will get me the treatment I need to heal properly and return to the roads. In the meantime, I thought I'd open this running blog. 

Since 2005, I've been blogging at Write Enough. At first I sporadically chronicled runs with Team in Training, as well as thoughts on various animation writing projects. (The thing that occupies my time when I'm not training.) But I've decided to branch out and dedicate these pages to running and runners, big and little goals, injuries, triumphs, cross-training, defeats, mental and physical preparation and all the things that go into the sport.

Not long ago I came across a YouTube interview with Billy Mills, 10K champ at the 1964 Olympics. I was blown away by how Mills used his subconscious to program victory. I was inspired by his race and how he refused to deny his dream and settle for less. This site is dedicated to Billy Mills and all who strive, at whatever level, to make their own mark in running.
"Say you can,
Say you can't,
Either way,
You're probably right."
--Old Adage

Eugene 2008

A fun race.