7/27/06: I ran tonight!!!

2 miles....slowly...but it happened. IT HAPPENED.

It was the best feeling in the world...very close to the feeling i had when i finished the Half Marathon this past year.

More later...but the celebration back to running must begin:)

The STATS:

20 minutes total running
about 2 miles

Heart-rate: n/a
Weather: humid.

7/15/06: Discovering Why Helmets Save Lives...

Needless to say, today was another hiccup in my recovery plans. Since I have been losing my mind due to not running, I got this brillant idea to go mountain biking with my friend Chris while I was in Austin for the weekend. I figured the trails would be similar to Houston's Ho Chi Mins and i could handle them slowly...NOT A CHANCE.

To make a long story short, I hit a rock, flew off the bike and banged my right knee (same side as groin pain) up pretty good. It's still swollen and hurts to walk very long or fast. (So yes, this is the post where you can leave comments like 'wow, you're so smart.' and I would respond with 'yeah I figured mountain biking is similar to road biking.') Can you say painkillers?! (Holla'!)

oh well...i still have a few weeks til marathon season starts...but now i am starting to feel doubt and hesitation and pure agony in my lack of fitness/mileage. maybe i'm just not meant to run the marathon next year?! Is it really going to be this big of a struggle for me this year? For some reason, I was under a sorry impression that the Half marathon training was going to be my real test as a runner.

Hmmm. i won't be posting a whole lot/or be online a lot for a while.

The STATS:

1:13.58 on bike
about 10 miles

Heart-rate: n/a
Weather: nice Austin 80's.

PS: Today is my birthday. Yeahaw to turning 26 and not even being able to walk. :(

7/11/06: 30 Minutes of Kicking in the Pool

My groin was really bothering me today so I decided to take it 'easy' and only do 30 minutes of kicking in the pool. Granted, it gets tiring. Usually aafter about 5 minutes, my legs feel like they want to fall off, lol. It was a good workout though, and my groin felt much better after it.

The STATS:
30 minutes pool kicking

Heart-rate: n/a
Weather: coool, it was dark, maybe mid-80's.

Two Thumbs up to the Chronicle-Marathon Coverage has Begun!

In doing my part around here to keep the public informed (at times, anyhow, when I am not complaining about my injuries!), I want to make you aware that the Houston Chronicle had a very informative one-page spread on local marathon training groups in the Monday, July 10 edition of the Personal section, page E3.

If you haven't thrown your papers out yet (or set them in the recycle bin!), check it out, or click here. The article, written by Roberta MacInnis, highlights 9 of the Houston-areas marathon training groups. Included are: Galloway Houston, In Flight, USA Fit, Runner's High Club, Run Strong, Team in Training, Team NAM, Kenyan Way, and RunSport Marathon Project. Links to these clubs are available here.

Kudos to the www.harra.org to highlighting the press, as well!

7/10/06: 24-Hour Treadmill/Bike.

I thought today was going to be the day...the day to run. The day I have look forward to for over a week. And...ehhh, it would not be. I was on the treadmill, walking briskly after a good stretch, and I tried to run....my legs WANTED to go. But, it was not to be. I ran two of the worst minutes of my life and sulked off. I felt so low and down. URGH. Some other day...

I got on the stationary bike and did 20 hard minutes. It felt good but it didn't make the sour taste from the 'run' go away. However, as long as I am still able to do 'something' active, especially swimming and biking and CORE/upper body stuff that will help my tri training anyhow, maybe this isn't so bad. It just isn't as fun as running!

The STATS:

10 min treadmill walk-fast
20 stationary bike-hard

Heart-rate: n/a
Weather: a/c

7/8/06: 12 Mile Bike-woohoo!

I was missing the bike quite a bit since I could ride last weekend due to all the rain. This would be the first time I got to ride the hybrid with the slicks and toe clips. I had to sell the road bike ($25!) because it was going to need more work then I wanted to put into it. Besides, i can always buy a used one if I decided biking is for me.

Anyhow, made it out to the Park and did the Picnic Loop a few times. It did get boring after a while, but it gave me the confidence I needed on the bike and I was able to time myself per loop. I average about 15 mph, and my top speed right now is 17 mph, and my slow speed is 13 mph. I did get passed by every road biker out there, only making me believe that a road bike is definetely the way to go. That, and some aerobars. My back is sure sore now, lol. Luckily, my groin isn't though.

The STATS:

12 mile bike ride
10 miles in 41.13

Heart-rate: n/a
Weather: mid 80’s, overcast.

7/6/06: 30 Minutes of Swimming...trying to, at least!

So the pool at my complex is only 25m...it's quite a bit smaller then what I am use to at the Park. Nevermind that though, I was just happy to finally be swimming again. I swam about 400 meters today in about 20 minutes. I took breaks every 2 or 3 laps, and never could quite swim 50m without stopping yet. UGH! I guess it will get better with more practice and time. I didn't want to get out of the pool today though, and that is a good sign! I may try to swim 40 minutes next time.

My groin hurt quite a bit after swimming, I need to fill my presciption sometime soon, although I strongly dislike pills. I think he put me on Lodine. Ummm. Never heard of it.

The STATS:

30 min swim
10 min kicking-20 min laps

Hear-rate: n/a
Weather: mid 80’s.

7/3/06: 30 Minutes in the Pool.

Although I didn't feel like doing anything this day (I had off from work, but I still went into work for 4 hours!) I made the most of the overcast weather and empty pool and jumped in. I only worked on kicking though, since I didn't really feel like doing a 'fill' workout today. I'll save it for later this week when my body feels a little stronger.

Happy 4th!

The STATS:

30 mins pool
kicking only

Heart-rate: n/a
Weather: mid 80’s, overcast. COLD water!