ObesityHelp

Well..just got back from the Dr and I won't be running my first marathon in Baltimore this fall.   I have a severe IT Band (ITB Syndrome) injury in my left knee.   

This is the same injury I had last fall on the right side...only worse.  

I have already pulled my registration back to the half marathon in Baltimore in an attempt to complete the MD Double this year.   Even if it is only the halfs.  

For those that care, I was in week 12 of an 18 week training program.   I was up to about 40-45 miles a week with long runs of about 16-18 miles.   I would have had a 20 mile run next weekend.

I was able to complete the Annapolis 10 miler last weekend (before my trip to the ortho), but I probably should not have.   I just could not stand the thought of not getting my finishers jacket!  :-)

So now it is 2 weeks off of running.   4-6 weeks of Physical Therapy and a very slow return to running after that.   He is aiming to get me to a point where I can run the 1/2 on October 11th.  

Very dissapointing...but this means that my first full will either be the Shamrock Marathon in Va. Beach or Frederick.   If I run Frederick then I will run the Marine Corps marathon in the fall.   If I run Va Beach, then I will run Baltimore in the fall.   Also...if I run Va Beach, then I will probably run the Frederick 1/2 and Baltimore Full to obtain a second MD double medal.

Oh well..off to do some stretches and ice my sore knee.

Dave

Well...I did it.   I ran my first 1/2 marathon.   If my plan holds, it will be my only 1/2 marathon this year.   I am scheduled to run the full marathon in Baltimore in October.

For those that don't run...a half marathon is 13.1 miles.   

Goal:  2:11:00 (10min/mile pace).  

Results:  Clock time (does not account for the fact that it took almost 2 minutes to get to the starting line:  2:04:22

Chip time:  Actual start line to finish lne:  2:02:34 or a 9:21min/mile pace.

I can't imagine doubling this distance, but if I am to complete my first marathon, that is what I will have to do.   

I am a bit sore the day after the race but all in all I am in good shape.   

I dropped about 10lbs during the race.   I have put back 5 of those.   

Now on to training for my first sprint triathlon on June 1st.   Then I start my training for the full marathon in the middle of June.

Yikes.   

I am pushing my running beyond anything I ever thought I could do.   But in the process, I am learning what over use injuries are.   

I am dealing with left and right knee issues.   My hips are complaining...but not as bad as my knees.   I am also beginning to get some cramping in my left foot during my long runs.

After talking with a couple of different folks (a PT, a long time runner, my PCP, and a friend that works with elderly patients), I have come up with my plan of attack.  

First, I am going to back off of my goal of finishing my first 1/2 marathon in under 2 hours.   I may end up doing it, but it is not going to be a goal.   I am simply going to try and finish.   This means that I am going to back off my running times.   I want to be training in the 11-12 minute/mile range.   Right now, I am in the 8:30 - 10:00/mile range.   

I am simply putting too much strain on my body and it is fighting me.   

I am also going to give my self a little rest this week.   I am skipping my run tonight.   I have already skipped my cross training on Sunday.   Tomorrow, I am going to swim and jog.   Both for 30 minutes.   The swim will be hard, but the run will be a jog.  No more than 2.5 miles.   

Thursday, my run (45 minutes) will be no more than 4 miles.   Then I have a day off and my long run.   This week, a two hour run, will be on a realtively flat course and will be no more than 9 miles.   

Backing it down a bit might mean that I get to compete in the 1/2 marathon.   My knees and hips are telling me to slow down...and I better listen!  

Dave

I have had a couple of folks ask when I was running this year.   So I figured I would post a list here (rather than on the MD board).   

Note:  I will be running some 5ks or 10ks over the summer...I am just not sure which and how they will fit my training schedule yet.

1.  Frederick Running Festival - Distance - 1/2 Marathon (13.1 miles).   
     Sunday May 4th 6:30am (yes...am).     
    Web Site:  http://www.frederickmarathon.org/site4.aspx


2.  Cascade Lake Triathlon - Distance - .31 Mile Swim, 15 Mile Bike, 3.1 (5k) Mile Run.
      Sunday June 1 ~ 7:05 - 7:15am (depending on wave)
      Web Site:  http://www.piranha-sports.com/Race32.aspx


3.  Baltimore Funning Festival - Distance Marathon (26.2 miles).
     Saturday October 11 8:00am.
    Web Site: http://www.thebaltimoremarathon.com/site3.aspx


Plans:

I am looking for a 5k to run with my daughter in late June or mid July.   

I am looking for a sprint distance tri to run in late August or early September.

I am looking for a 10miler to run in late July or early August.


I am taking part in the Charm City Run Fall 2008 Marathon Training program (Timonium).   These programs are excellent.   They provide a great training plan, expert coaching, and people to run with.   They also provide a great deal of motivation.    

Enjoy,
Dave 

My goodness.  It is amazing how quickly a year passes.

My surgical anniversary is less than two weeks away.   I have my first appointment with my surgeon, since my 3 month check up, in about 2 weeks.   I also have my first full physical the following day with my PCP since the December before the surgery.   I will fill you in on that later!

As I look back I notice that time has dulled many of the sharp pains in this journey.   

The surgery is but a blur.   Yes, I remember the highlights...but for the most part it is now reduced to 1 and 2 minute highlights or lowlights.   

The recovery and hardships of figuring this new liftestyle out are all but forgotten.   They are simply part of the rules that I now live my life by. 

The episodes that had me calling the Dr with urgent requests seem silly now.   Even the night I headed to the ER with severe abdominal pain...is mostly forgotten.

So what remains.   

Hmmmm...

What remains is how great things seem now, the friends I have made along this journey, and the new things in my life.

I think what I will do here is list a few things I have done over the last year that I could not have done before this surgery (some of which you will find on my list of things I wanted to do but could not - an early blog posting).

1. I rode the Superman roller coaster at Six Flags!  WOW!
2. I ran a 5K.
3. I ran a 5K in under 30 minutes and another with my daughter.
4. I competed in the Baltimore marathon (only the relay though)
5. I bought clothes at Old Navy that fit.
6. I bought a pair jeans with a waist size of 34.
7. I bought a suit, off the rack.
8. I bought a Northface jacket.
9. I bought a sweater that was a medium
10.  I now wear the t-shirts that are given to me as give-aways.
11.  I now like to sit in booths at resturants.
12.  I have a bike.
13.  I swim.
14.  I run.
15.  I have a gym membership - and use it.
16.  When I walk through the gym, no one stares.
17.  I sat next to a stranger at a movie and they did not make any comments.
18.  My youngest daughter made the comment "...not that I ever was...but I am not embarrased by you anymore!".
19.  My older daughter hugs me and can touch her hands behind me.
20.  I weigh less than one of my friends (who is in pretty good shape).
21.  I can get into cars without hurting myself.
22.  I can put my seat belt on without getting to the end of the belt.
23.  I can mow the grass without having to change clothes afterwards
24.  I have to tell myself to eat...even when I am hungry.
25.  I run into people that have known me for 10 years, but have not seen me in over a year and they don't know who I am. 
26.  I am self conscience about how my body looks.  (a good thing!)
27.  I think my ears got bigger! :-)
28.  I need smaller glasses.
29.  My clothes wear out before I out grow them.
30.  My shoes don't wear out on the sides first anymore.
....

There is lots more, but I need to wrap this up.

A year out from surgery, I am down to 185 pounds.  This was my surgeons goal and seems to be where I leveled out.   I met my goal at about 9 months out through following the plan and lots and lots of running.   I am not typical in this respect.   But I do feel very good about where I am and how I look.  

It will be interesting to see where things go over the next year.   But looking back...all I can say is....things are good.

Dave