Addicted to running

I ran 4 easy miles this morning.  It was a little cold.  I had planned on running 6 miles, but I did not sleep to much last night and my diet has been way off over the holidays.  I felt miserable so I stopped after 4.

I ran 6 miles this morning.  It was freezing.  I ran into a headwind for the first 3 miles.  I pushed a little to hard and ran all the miles under 8:00 pace.  I got to learn to slow down.

I did 12.1 miles this morning.  It was freezing.  I ran into a headwind for half of the miles.  I haven't been this miserable during a run in a while.  I hope running gets easier before my races next weekend. 

0 Miles today.  Need the rest.

I did 4 easy miles this morning.  It was freezing cold, but no wind.  I tried to take it easier this morning.

Rest day.

I did 6 easy miles this morning in the snow.  It didn't seem as cold as it has been.  I'm leaving for Disney tonight after the game.  Roll Tide!

0 miles. Drove all night to Orlando.

Going into this race, I had only had 6 hrs of sleep in the past 48.  My wife and son both caught a stomach bug, and I unfortunately I got it the night before the race.  I was extremely tired and felt weak on race morning and could not eat breakfast.  The weather was around 30 degrees with some sleet and rain mixed.  I was miserable the whole race and was glad when it was over.  There is nothing exciting to say about it I ran a slow pace and just wanted it to end.  After the race I ate a little something and felt a little better.  Later in the day we took our son to Sea World and walked around all day.

I felt better going into this race.  I had got a little more sleep and was able to keep my food down.  I started around a 9:00 pace, and dropped it to around 7:45 within 2 miles.  I was feeling really good and was thinking this was going to be a good race.  At about mile 3, my stomach began to bother me and by 3.5 I was forced to walk.  I found a porta potty around the 5 mile mark and immediantly felt better.  I started to run again and was feeling fine, until the entrance to magic kindom.  I was forced to walk parts of this section because of my stomach.  I walked close to a mile and my stomach settled and I thought I was fine.  Around mile 15 it hit me again and had to make a quick pit stop.  Afterwards I felt better, but my legs began to feel heavy.  At mile 18 I started to walk a little then run a little, and by mile 21 I was walking around a 1/4 mile and running 3/4 mile.  When I could finally see the finish and my stomach started acting up again.  I made another quick pit stop within a mile from the finish and afterwards I sprinted towards the finish.  I was running under a 7:00 mile.  After I crossed the finish line, I didn't have the wave of pain that I usually feel at the end of a marathon.  I headed to the goofy tent got my medal, then got food and headed to the warm car to wait on my brother.  Overall the marathon would of been fun if my stomach wouldn't of bothered me.  We got to run through all the disney parks and I seen some stuff that I probably won't see again.  After the race we headed to Bob Evans for breakfast, and then my wife and I took our son to magic kingdom.

0 miles. Walked around Animal Kindom all day.

0 miles.  Drove 12 hrs back home.

0 miles.  Rest day.  Still very tired.

4 easy miles after work.  My hamstrings were really tight, but felt better towards the end.

0 Miles. Rest Day.

0 miles. Rest Day.

I ran 10 miles this morning.  It was windy and rainy and by the time I finished I was soaked.  My legs felt better and I was able to hold a faster pace in the last 4 miles.

0 miles running, 30 Min. bicycle.

8 miles after work.  Legs felt a little heavy at first, but got better as I ran.

Rest day today.  The run yesterday took its toll on my body.  This morning both hips was hurting and my right knee has a little pain.  I also had a hard day at work so I decided to rest.

Took another rest day.  My hips still hurt and my right ankle has started to hurt.  Hopefully it will feel better in the morning so I can run.

4 easy miles before work.  Legs felt better.  I tried to take it easy.   Avg. around 9:00 min miles.

14 miles this morning. Started around 6:00 and the weather was perfect.  Little wind and the temps was nice.  My right ankle was a little tender at first, but I didn't notice any more pain as I kept running.

0 miles.  Rest Day.

0 miles. rest day.

I did 6 miles before work.  The weather was a little chilly, but I warmed up after a few minutes.  I had planned to run again after work but had to stay late.

I ran 10 miles after work.  I was kind of dreading running 10, but I'm glad I did it.  I felt good for the whole run and tried to run the last 2 miles at BQ pace.  It was harder than I thought it was gonna be.  I need to start running more and add speedwork back into my weekly training.

0 miles.  I wanted to run all day, but when I got off work I decided to rest.  I wish I would've had motivation to run, but I didn't.

0 miles.  Took today off since it was raining/sleeting all day.  Planning on a long run at monte sano tomorrow morning.

0 miles.

0 miles

10 miles this morning.  Did 2 warm-up miles, then did 6 tempo miles.  The first 2 miles were hard to keep in tempo range, but the last 4 seemed easier.  I finished with 2 cool down miles.

8 miles after work.  I was supposed to do a easy run but  my legs felt great today.  I ran way to fast, but felt good.

6 miles today after work.  I almost skipped because it was raining and I was a little tired.  I went to the track and was going to do 6x800m at 5k pace, but did 2 and decided to stop.  I haven't ran that fast in a while and it took a lot out of me.

0 miles.  Decided to rest today.

I had planned on running at Monte Sano earlier in the week, but found out I had to work.  I got up early and was gonna do 22-24 around the house.  I did 6 and it started raining and was real windy.  I decided to stop and was gonna do the long run tomorrow, but after talking to my wife I decided to go to monte sano after work.  I got over there around 1:00 and started.  It was really wet and muddy and it got worse as I kept going.  It took a little while to get into a rythym.  Once I did I felt good and it was fun.  The first major climb I had to do was rest shelter coming out of McKay Hollow.  After I topped out I hit Warpath and was flying downhill.  I wasn't paying attention and continued on Warpath besides going to the powerline section.  I went all the way to some road and figured it out and had to climb back up.  I finally found where I needed to go and made it through the powerline section and headed to K2 hill.  That was the last major hill I had to climb and it was brutal.  My calves were cramping.  I took a my last salt tablet and made it to the top.  The rest of the run was uneventful.  I was just trying to get to the truck before it got dark.  It was a really fun run except for the missed turn and the extra hill I had to climb. 

0 miles. 

0 miles

6 easy miles after work.  Was going to run before work but it was raining.  It was around 34 degrees and windy when I got off work, but luckily the sun came out.  My legs felt heavy.

0 miles.  To cold and windy.

6 Miles today.  A little cold but at least no wind.  My legs felt good while I was running but after I finished they hurt pretty bad.

0 miles

0 miles

 Mercedes Half Marathon

I was dreading this race all week.  My runs during the week seemed to take a lot out of me and I was just mentally and physically tired of running.  I got to Birmingham with about a hour till race time.  I decided to not do any warm up miles.  I figured I would take it easy at the start.  I ran the first 2 miles around 8:15 pace and after a quick bathroom stop I felt good.  The course is pretty hilly and they really took there toll on me early in the race.  I found a second wind about the halfway mark and sped up a little.  My fastest mile was mile 12 and it was 6:52.  I was happy it was over and I had a really good time.  

Winter Winds 2 Mile     13:25    33/241 overall    5/18 age group

I decided to run this race after I finished the half.  I felt pretty good and I wanted to get in one more long run before Mt Cheaha.  Plus the 4 mile race was my first ever race in 2008.  I got home from Birmingham around 11:30 and rested until about 12:30 and decided to leave to head to Huntsville.  I got there and got registered and waited in the truck until race start.  I did 1 mile warm-up to see how my legs felt.  They felt pretty good so I decided I would push the 2 mile race.  I ran the first mile in 7:01 and the second mile in 6:20.  I felt good about the race and would like to race it serious one day on fresh legs.

Winter Winds 4 Mile      30:54    47/199 overall  5/14 age group

After the 2 mile race, I knew that the 4 mile race would be a struggle.  I suffered the whole time and I slowed my pace to around 7:40 and just tried to finish.  I had to walk once on a hill.  I was tired of hills by this point so I walked to the top and then resumed running.  I finished in 30:53 I think.  I was pleased with that.  After the race I got a little something to eat and left to come home.  I probably should of knew better about doing all the races but I decided to go for it. 

0 miles today.  I did a 30 stretch routine.  Then I used the foam roller.  Legs feel really good now.

4 miles on the treadmill on my lunch break.  Legs felt great.  When I got off work I did core work and a stretch routine.  I also used the foam roller.

4 miles on the treadmill on my lunch break.  After work I did core work and a stretch routine.

4 miles on the treadmill at work.  Thought about running after work, but had to stay late.

0 miles.

I was really exited to run this race.  I ran this race last year, and loved it.(It was my first trail run last year)  I wanted to start fast so I could get ahead on the trail.  The first 2.5 miles are uphill on a gravel road and it helps spread the runners out.  I hit the trail and I felt good at first but I got really fatigued.  I couldn't get into a groove the first 6 miles.  I would run a little and then walk a little.  I tried to stay with the guy in front of me, but he wasn't walking so he soon left me.  I continued to feel bad and I got passed by four guys running together.  I heard them coming and stepped off the trail to let them pass.  At the first aid station I stopped and ate a few pretzels and when I started running again I felt better.  I was able to catch up to someone and ran with him for a while.  I followed him for about 1.5 miles and he started to walk and let me pass.  I seen a guy up ahead on the trail so I focused on catching up to him.  I finally caught him and he let me pass.  I was hoping he wouldn't do that because I pushed harder so I wouldn't slow him down.  I pushed a little and looked back and he wasn't there.  I continued to run hard and passed one more guy.  He was the last person I seen on the trail.  I kinda like having someone ahead of me during a race, so I run harder.  Towards the end of the trail I was walking the uphills and running the flats and downhills.  I was running low on water about this time so I was happy to see the aid station on the gravel road.  I drank a cup of poweraide and ate a few chips and started running.  I could see a lady up ahead and I wanted to catch her before the finish.  I ran the last 2.5 miles around 7:15 pace.  I caught her with around 1 mile to go.  When I got to the bridge I kicked it in to under 7:00 pace and pushed as hard as I could to the finish.  As soon as I caught my breathe I took my shoes off to check my feet for blisters.  I could feel one on my big toe during the race but I ended up with 3 total.   It was well worth it though I had a blast.

0 miles.  Rest Day.

4 miles on the treadmill at lunch.  My legs felt surprisingly good.  After work I stretched and did core exercises. 

I did 4 miles on my lunch break on the treadmill.  I ran again after work.  I was only going to do 4 but felt good so I did 6.  After I ran I stretched for about 15 min and did core exercises.  I think the stretching is helping because my legs aren't hurting as bad as before.  

5 miles on the treadmill at lunch.  After work I stretched and did some core exercises.

3 miles on the treadmill at lunch.  Tried to take it a little easier since I got a race this weekend.  After work I stretched and did core exercises.

0 miles.

I've been looking forward to this race all year.  I read a few blogs about it last year and since I couldn't run Mt. Mist, I decided to run this as my first 50k.  I was a little nervous all week and felt a little under prepared.  My training has really been slacking but I felt like I could finish.  I took off half a day on Friday so we could drive down.  We checked into the hotel and left  immediately to find the lodge.  We found the lodge and picked up my packet and headed to find something to eat.  I had a hard time sleeping thinking about the race but finally was able to fall asleep around 11.  I woke up at 4:15 to get ready.  After a shower and breakfast, my wife drove me to the finish so I could get on a bus to the start line.  There was 2 buses, one school bus and one prisoner bus.  I was told the school bus was full so I got on the prisoner bus.  It was full also but I found a seat on the floor between the cage and front seat.  I shared it with a guy from Huntsville.  We chatted a little on the way.  The bus ride took about 35 min. but felt longer.  We got to the start area and kinda hung out for about 45 min.  The race director called everyone to the start line and gave the final instructions.  He said he wasn't going to say ready, set, go, instead he told us to start when we heard the music start.  Sweet Home Alabama came through the speakers and we were off.

The race starts about a hundred feet from the trail head.  The start is slow unless you are a speedster and line up in the front.  I started in the middle of the pack.  It was a lot of walking for the first half a mile, but it soon spread out.  I ran a comfortable pace until aid station 1.  I had a cup of Heed at the aid station and was on my way. 

I was feeling really good after the stop and passed a lot of runners on the road section.  We hit the trail and began to climb.  During this section the guy running in front of me tripped and fell.  He rolled out of it nicely and was back on his feet.  He said he was fine.  I stayed with him until we hit the jeep road.  The jeep road was pretty steep, but I felt good so I ran most of it.  There was a guy standing at the top of the hill telling us how far to the next aid station.  He was cheering and encouraging everyone to push hard up that hill and told us we only had 1.5 miles of downhill before the aid station.  I seen him another 4-5 times during the race doing the same thing.  It was pretty neat that he was taking his time to walk about 1-2 into the trail to tell runners how far they had and to encourage them.  I made it to the aid station and had half of a peanut butter sandwich and some M&M's.  I filled my bottle and hit the trail.

We immediately started climbing.  It was a brutal hill too.  Every time you would think you were done climbing you would switch back and have more.  While your huffing and puffing up the hill you can look to your right and left and just see mountains.  I think is was one of the prettiest things I've ever seen in person.  After topping out on top we ran along the ridge line for a few miles.  It was one of my favorite parts of the course.  I was feeling really good and decided to run all out on the descent.  It was really rocky but I kept pushing hard.  I was passing people like crazy.  I hammered the whole time on the way to the next aid station.  The pounding really took its toll on me as I made it to the next aid station my toes were killing me.  I ate half of a peanut butter and jelly sandwich and a few M&Ms at the aid station and 2 cups of Heed. 

As I left the aid station I felt really bad.  I couldn't get into a groove and I was running by myself.  We had the first creek crossing right after the aid station.  I probably could of hopped rock to rock to avoid getting my feet wet, but I was tired and not feeling good, plus my toes were hurting.  I splashed straight through the middle of it.  This part of the course was really uneventful.  I was struggling and I hated running and missed my wife and son and my feet and legs and toes hurt.  I really hated every bit of it.  I finally made it to aid station 4.  The lady working the aid station offered me some ibuprofen.  I took 2, ate and drank a little and was on my way. 

I caught up to a lady from GA and a guy for FL and we ran together for a little while.  I was starting to feel a little better but my toes still hurt.  We made it to the famous water crossing.  I've read about it and seen pictures and I thought it was gonna be big and bad.  This year it wasn't nearly as bad as previous years.  The lady from GA and the guy from FL was trying to figure how to get across while I just went straight through.  It was probably thigh deep and it felt good on my feet.  Aid station 5 was right after the creek crossing.  I filled my bottle and drank 2 cups of Heed and ate.  They had some potatoes that we could dip in salt.  They were delicious. 

After the aid station, I started to run with a guy that had run this race 4 times.  He also ran the pinhoti 100 last year.  He really new the course well and he was telling me all about it.  It was a really pretty part of the course.  He was struggling with his back a little and I was feeling good so I wished him luck and passed.  I caught up to FL guy again and ran with him for about 3 miles.  He stopped right before the next water crossing to use the bathroom and I plowed straight through the water.  I never saw him after that.  The trail ends and we were forced to run on a jeep road.  I was feeling better and even though the road was uphill I tried to run as much as possible.  Somewhere along this time I passed the 26.2 mark and I was in uncharted territory.  At the end of the jeep road we hit the pavement.  I'm not sure how far we ran on the pavement but it felt forever.  We finally made it to the last aid station.  I filled my bottle and drank a couple of cups of Heed.  I ate some M&M's and a peanut butter and jelly sandwich and hit the trail. 

I followed a couple of guys out of the aid station and started the climb known as Blue Hell.  It was brutal.  It starts going up and there are know switch backs just straight up climbing.  You have to use the roots for steps and use both hands to pull up.  There are rocks everywhere and it feels like it goes on forever.  The guy in front of me slipped and busted his shin I think.  He moved over and I kept going.  One miserable step after another.  My calves have never felt like that.  Once you finish the climb you are dumped back on the road for a little more uphill.  I seen a guy in front of me and I picked it up.  We hit the trail and had to climb some more.  He was doing better than me on the uphills so I let him go.  We got dumped back onto another road and I was able to pass him during this section.  After a short run on the road we hit the trail one last time.  I really pushed hard during this section as I didn't want the guy to pass me.  I could hear music and a PA system so I thought I was close.  I pushed hard until I had a volunteer tell me I had a little over a mile to go.  I slowed a little but was getting excited.  I exited the trail and made the right turn and seen a runner straight ahead.  I sprinted a little but he had more than me.  I crossed the finish line and was relieved.  I shook the race directors hand and went to see my wife and son. I laid in the grass for a few minutes and then walked to the car to change shoes.  My toes were trashed.  2 toes on my right foot and 1 on my left foot were swollen and the toenails are blue underneath.  I'm sure I'm gonna lose them but it should match my other one well.

Overall this was one of the hardest things I've ever done.  It was also one of the funniest and if I'm able I'll do it again next year.  I've never felt like I felt crossing the finish line.  All the things I got to see along the course was amazing.  I really want to train a little harder to see what I can really do in a 50k.  Since the race I've been trying to figure out what I want to do next.  I was planning on working hard to try to BQ this winter but now I/m thinking about some longer ultra's (40-50 miles)  And since talking to the guy that ran the Pinhoti 100, I've been thinking about that a lot.  Maybe one day

0 miles.   Didn't sleep to good last night because of my toes.  They were swollen all day today and I can barely walk.

0 miles again.  My legs hurt as did my toes.  It was probably worse today than it was yesterday.  I limped around work all day.

0 miles today.  My toes are still swollen and are very sore.

Took another day off.  My toes still hurt a little.  Gonna try to run tomorrow.  After work I did some core exercises and stretched.

3 easy miles on the treadmill at lunch.  My legs felt a little tired so I kept it at a slow pace.   My toes also hurt pretty bad.  

0 miles.  

0 miles. Toes still sore.

0 miles.  Took another rest day.  My toes are starting to fell better.

4 miles on the treadmill at lunch.  It was nice to be able to run again.  Legs and toes felt fine.  I stretched and did some core exercises after work.

5 miles before work. My quads were pretty sore.

My toes are hurting pretty bad.  They have swelled back up and are pretty red.  I'm going to the doctor in the morning to see what he thinks.

My toe is infected. I've been on antibiotics since friday and the swelling has went down. I'm not gonna run until it is healed.

My toe is looking better.  The toenail is trying to come off which hurts a little.  I might try to run tomorrow or maybe Monday.  This is the longest break I've had since I started running 2 years ago.  It's probably a good thing that its just my toe and nothing to serious. 

6 miles this morning.  First run in over a week.  Ran around a 8:20 pace and felt good.  My toe felt better and wasn't a problem.

2.5 miles run/walk.  My wife started the couch 2 5k program today so I ran/walked with her.  We had .5 walk for warm-up then run 90 sec. then walk 60 sec. for 20 min. and then .5 cooldown walk.  We had a blast.

I got in 6 miles this morning before work and another 3 on the treadmill during lunch.  Legs felt a little tired this morning so I ran at a slower pace.  Felt great after both runs.

2.5 miles run/walk with my wife.  Day 2 of the couch 2 5k program and she's doing great. 

I love this race.  It is one of my favorites.  I really pushed to hard at the start but was feeling really good.  I could feel my chest burning and heart pounding and had to walk a few places to get it under control.  The course was extremely muddy this year.  Some said that it was the worst they have ever seen the trails during a race.  The race director extended the course around 1 mile this year so it came to 14 miles total.  It was a little chilly at the start but we warmed up quickly as we descended the mountain.  The first part I ran way to fast and suffered a bit but didn't let anyone pass.  I took some gel blast and a s cap right before the first aid station.  

I got passed by two runners at the aid station but caught up to both before the descent into McKay Hollow.  One of the runners stepped aside as soon as we started downhill and I didn't see him again.  I was trying to stay with the guy in front of me so I was running hard on the downhills.  I have never ran downhill that fast especially on this rocky descent.  I managed to stay with him all the way through slush mile and the climb to the natural well.  We got passed by someone after the climb and he took off and we never seen him again.  This next section was wet, rocky, muddy, and just plain nasty to run on.  I passed the guy in front of me on this section and made it to the aid station.

Leaving the aid station we had to go back on the trail we just ran on until the next trail head.  I think I drank to much powerade and could feel is sloshing around in my stomach so I had to back off a little to keep from hurling.  I felt a little better on the descent at arrowhead.  I ran all out down this section and pushed through all the mud to big cat hill.  This hill is short but very steep.  I walked all this hill and realized I didn't have far to go.  I made it all the way to death trail that leads up the mountain and immediately started climbing.  It seemed like it took forever to get to the top but I was just trying to put one foot in front of the other and not think about the pain.  I finished in 2:27:22 for 19th overall.  I had told my wife I wanted to run faster than last year and finish in the top 20 and I did.  I took almost 2 min off on a course that was longer and a little harder than last year. 

2.5 miles run/walk with my wife. Day 3 of the couch 2 5k program. She's doing great.

2.5 miles run/walk with my wife. She started week 2 of the couch 2 5k program. We walked half a mile to the track and then ran for 90 sec and walked for 2 min. We then walked half a mile back home. She did great again today and she seems to enjoy doing it. My legs hurt pretty bad today but I was able to keep up with her.

3 miles on the treadmill.  I've been sick and my legs are hurting a bit, but I managed 3.

I did 3 easy miles on the treadmill since I'm still a little sick.  When I got off work I did 2.5 run/walk with my wife and son then did half a mile at around 8:00 pace.

This was the first running of this race so I thought I would run it.  I haven't felt that great this past week and my legs have been sore since last weeks race so I was planning on taking it easy.  We had a 30 min. delay in the start because of thunderstorms.   I started really fast and felt alright for the first few miles.  Me and about 15 other runners missed a turn somewhere and they wanted us to make a loop on a road to make it up.  We were running down the road and a volunteer told me and the other guy to stay straight up ahead.  When we got there the lady told me to turn and the other guy to go straight.  I was confused so I stopped and then another runner told me I needed to make the turn.  Anyway we ran close to a half a mile to far.  My gps was off the rest of the race but it was fine with me.  I was running it for fun anyway.  The course was really hilly but it was pretty fun.  We got to finish by running 3/4 of a lap on the college track.  It was a great way to end the race.  

6 easy miles today.  It was pretty warm today I think mid 80's.  My legs were a little tired but I made it.

I ran 3 miles on my lunch break and another 2.5 run/walk with my wife when I got home.  My legs feel better.

4 miles on the treadmill.

4 miles on the treadmill.

4 miles on the treadmill.  I did 3 miles after work pushing my son in the jogging stroller.

6 easy miles this morning.  I ran around a 8:45 pace.  The weather was nice.

2.5 miles run/walk with my wife later in the day. 

This race is held at the Talladega SuperSpeedway.  I've been once before for a Nascar race but its been a while.  My wife and son decided to stay home and sleep in, so I drove the 2 hours to Talladega by myself.  I arrived around 6:45 and got my packet then sat in the truck until the start.  We started the race on turn 4 on the track.  I was a little tired from yesterday's 8.5 miles.  I planned to start slow and see what I had at the end.  My first few miles were around 8:00 pace.  I was feeling good and my legs began to loosen up.  I picked it up a little for the next few miles.  I took a GU around 8.5 miles when I started to feel a little tired.  I was happy when we got back on the track knowing I had 1 lap till the finish.  Unfortunately it was a little over 2 miles.  I did some calculations in my head and realized I could have a sub 1:40 if I ran hard.  I pushed hard and finished in 1:39:13  I was happy with that considering my miles yesterday and the half marathon last weekend that left my calves tight for a few days.  It was a nice day for a run and a nice place to run.  I got to see alot of Talladega that I might never get to see again. 

I got up before work and planned on a easy 6 miles but my hips were bothering me.  I came home after 2 and stretched.  I ran/walked 3 miles with my wife after I got off work.  My hips felt a little bit better.

I got up around 5 this morning.  I had planned on 6 but was feeling good after the first 2 miles so I ended up doing 8 before work.  I was feeling good at work and decided to do 3 on the treadmill on my lunch break.

2.5 miles run/walk with my wife.

4 miles on the treadmill.

I got up around 6 and ran 12 miles then waited for my wife to wake up and we did 2.5 run/walk. I took a Hammer gel before I started and I felt really good the entire run.  This was only my third time trying hammer gels and so far I really like them.

4 easy miles on the treadmill on my lunch break.  Legs felt pretty good considering yesterdays 14.5 miles.

I only had time for 3 miles today because work has been so busy.  I tried to run them a little harder since I could only do 3.  Legs still feel pretty good.

4 miles on my lunch break

I got 4 miles in before work and another 4 on my lunch break.

I signed up for the full marathon in December but decided to only run the half  since I haven't been training too much.  My legs were a little tired going into this race but I thought I would be fine.  My garmin battery died so I ran without a watch.  I tried to take it a little easy at the start so I would have a little something at the end.  I don't think it worked out like I wanted as I had to slow down a lot towards the end.  I finished in 1:40:01.  I was happy with that I guess.  I would have liked to beat my time from last year but I just didn't have it.  

I got up this morning and ran around downtown Nashville.  My legs were a little tired but not to bad.  

4 miles on the treadmill.  Legs felt tired and my right hip hurt a little bit.

4 miles before work this morning.  Hip is still bothering me.

4 miles on the treadmill.  Legs felt good and hip is feeling better.  Went to the chiropractor Friday and stretched this weekend.

Got up before work and did 8 miles.  I did 6 in the my new Asics and 2 in my Newtons.  My hip hurt a little bit but I stretched afterwards and after work today and it feels better.

3 miles on the treadmill.  I tried to take it a little easier than I normally do.

4 miles on the treadmill on my lunch break.

6 miles this morning.  

8.5 mile trail run at Monte Sano.  

8 miles before work.  

4 miles after work.  

3 miles on the treadmill

The twisted ankle marathon is held at the Sloppy Floyd State Park.  I have been signed up for this race since the first of this year but I haven't really been training for it.  I thought I would just run it easy and enjoy it.  The race starts at 9 am so I knew it was going to be hot.  I think the temps got into the high 80's with awful humidity.  I kind of liked the later start so I could sleep a little longer and not have to wake my wife and son up so early to take me to the start. 

The race started in the park beside a lake.  The RD yelled go and we all took off.  I wanted to get ahead of some of the runners before we hit the trail so I started pretty fast.  We ran around one lake and through a camp ground and then around another lake before we hit the main trail.  I was running around 7:45-8:15 pace and felt pretty good for the most part.  Around the 3 mile mark we started a pretty steep hill.  I knew from reading previous race reports that there was a pretty steep hill coming up but I didn't think what we was on was all that bad.  We then cut back to the left and I started seeing caution signs warning us of the steep section.  This section took a lot out of me.  I made it to the top and filled my bottle at the aid station before taking off again. The course splits at the top at the aid station with the marathoners going right and the half goes left.   My stomach started to cramp as I left the aid station.  I took a salt tablet and started to feel better within the next mile.  This section is an out and back and takes you over gravel road to single track down to a parking lot and the turn around and go back.  I started to feel good as soon as I hit the single track and I was flying down the trail.  I knew there was going to be aid at the turnaround so I took a Hammer gel as I was running down the trail.  At the aid station I filled my bottle and took a cup of powerade and was off.  I was walking a lot of the real steap uphills on the way back but was feeling good and my legs were doing pretty good.

Once we made it back to the split we took the half section.  I was still feeling good and this was one of the prettiest sections on the trail  I pushed pretty hard and finally made it to the half turnaround.  I took some water and ate a few gummi bears at the aide and continued on.  We ran around 2 more miles of singletrack and we came to a gravel road.  This was by far the worst section.  There wasn't much tree cover so it was blazing hot and it was rolling hills and I knew I had to go and turnaround and come back.  I was starting to get really tired so I walked.  I got passed by a guy that told me that there was watermelon at the next stop so I tried to pick it up.  I made it to the aid station and filled my bottle and ate a couple pieces of watermelon and was on my way.  On the way back I started feeling better and was running a sub 8:00 pace for almost a mile until we hit a monster hill.  I didn't remember coming down this hill on the way out but it was pretty big.  I walked all the way to the top and then started running when I hit the trail.  I was really starting to hurt a little bit but I just told myself to get to the next aid station.  I made it there and ate a pb&j sandwich and filled my bottle and was on my way.  I knew the next aid station was a few miles away so I concentrated on trying to get there.  I also knew that at this aid station we started down the mountain towards the finish so I was getting excited.  I made it to the aid station and headed down the trail.  It was a pretty brutal downhill with some pretty steep section that really hurt my quads.  I made it to the bottom and we had to go back around the lakes and through the campground.  I was trying to run as much as possible and only walk when I had to.  I finally made it around the first lake and headed into the campground.  It was hot and I was tired but I knew it was almost over and I didn't want anyone in the campground to see me walk so I ran even when I didn't want to then we came to the second lake and the wooden bridge that we ran across to finish.  I was happy to be done and was glad I could sit down.  It was a fun race that I'll probably do again one day.  I was happy with my race since I haven't ran more than 14 miles since the end of Feb.

6 miles bicycle ride.

4 miles this morning.  Legs felt heavy and my hip was hurting.

4 mile bike ride.

6 mile easy run before work.  Legs felt better and my hip pain seems to be better.

4 easy miles before work.  Hip and ankles have been bothering me a little.  

Swam for about 20 min on my lunch break.

6 miles before work.  

Swam for about 20 min on my lunch break.

2 miles.  I was a little tired this morning and stopped after 2 miles.  Planned on going to ride my mountain bike after work but we had thunderstorms.

10 miles early this morning.  Felt pretty good for the most part.  My ankles was bothering me towards the finish but overall it was a good run.

6 miles on the bicycle this afternoon with my wife.  I pulled my son in a trailer.

10K-  I felt really good for the most part.  I woke up this morning with my hip hurting but stretched and took advil before the race and it felt better.  It took me around a mile to warm up and for my legs to feel normal.  I ran up the monster hill around mile 3.  That was one of my goals since I've never ran the whole hill in my previous 2 races.

5K-  I almost didn't run this one because I was hurting a little after the 10k.  I had a little over an hour after I finished the 10K and my muscles got a little tight.  I struggled until mile 2 and then started to feel a little bit better.  My time was 22:08.  Better than I thought it would be.

Rode 6 miles before work.  My calf is really tight and sore.

6 mile bike ride before work.  Tried to run but calf was really tight and sore so biked instead.

4 miles before work.  My calf was a little tight at first but loosened up.

8 easy miles.  My calf wasn't hurting this morning.  It was a little hot but I managed to make it 8 miles.  I was gonna do more but had to go to work.

Biked 12 miles this morning.  My first ride longer than 6 miles.  Felt good for the most part.  Got rained on the last 3 miles.  It was pretty fun.

8 miles before work.  Felt really good towards the end of the run.  After work went mountain biking for an hour.  

6 miles this morning.  I struggled the whole time.  It was tough.

4 miles this morning.  I took it easy but was really tired after 4 miles.

I got up around 5 this morning so I could beat the heat.  I started slow and felt pretty good until around mile 7 then I started struggling.  I had to walk a few times and my hip was feeling a little funny.  I was soaked when I finished it was so hot and humid.  I had planned on a few more miles but decided to quit after 10.

I biked 21 miles this morning.  Felt pretty good for the most part.  Another pr distance on the bike.

4 miles today.  Felt very tired.

Rode 11 miles on the bike.  Very sore afterwards.

Rode my bike 11 miles and then decided to run a little.  Did 3 easy miles and felt pretty good.

Rode 24 miles on my bike.  Had to stop twice and stretch my hamstrings.  My ankle were very sore afterwards.

Tried to run but was hurting to bad.  Feels like I might have a hamstring strain.  Gonna take it easy this week and do some stretching.

This was my first multi-sport race and I had a blast.  I was a little worried about my right hamstring since its been bothering me all week.  I've been stretching and icing it all week and it was feeling a little better this morning.  I got to the race site early and went and set my stuff up in the transition area.  

Run 1-  I planned to start slow for the first mile and easy into a slightly faster pace for the rest of the run portion.  My hamstring didn't bother me at all for the race.  I felt good and passed a few people in the last 1/2 mile.  When I got into the transition area I change into my cycling shoes, grabbed my helmet and my bike and ran towards the bike mount line. My first run split was 18:37 for 2.5 miles.

Bike-  I was a little worried about this part because I've only been riding for a few weeks and I have never rode with anyone else.  I thought I was doing pretty good but was getting passed by a bunch of people.  About 4 miles into the bike section my legs began to hurt a little and on the outside of my knee cap.  I slowed down a little and got passed by more people.  I started to feel a little bit better and was able to power up a big hill around mile 8.  I sped up for the last 2 miles.  When I got back to the transition area I racked my bike and changed shoes and was off for my second run.  My bike split was 35:15 for 10 miles.

Run 2-  I didn't really know what my legs were going to feel like after I got off the bike.   It took around a 1/2 mile for my legs to get back to normal.  I had to walk a few seconds to get my heart rate down.  When I started running again I felt pretty good and picked up my pace until the finish.  I passed a few people that had passed me on the bike section.  My second run split was 18:44 for 2.5 miles.

4 easy miles this morning.  My hamstring was bothering me a little so I made sure to take it really easy.  Stretched when I got finished and felt good.

Was gonna run this morning but didn't get up in time so I biked 10 miles when I got home from work.

6 miles this morning before work.  Hamstring was feeling a little funny at first but got better.

31 mile bike ride. Felt good for the most part. Hamstring bothered me towards the end.

5 mile easy trail run at sportsman lake.  Was hurting a little but decided to run anyways.  I felt fine running but felt awful later on.

Rode 3 miles to my parents and swam around 400 meters and rode back.  Wanted to run but I'm going to take it easy for the next few months to see if I can get my legs back.  Start physical therapy next week.

6 mile on the bike and swam 400 m.  PT told me no running for now.

2 easy miles.  First run in a while.  Felt really good but a little sore after.

3 easy miles.  Felt really good running.  I didn't have know pain in my ankles or hips just a little sore in my quads.

3 easy miles.  Trying to take it easy.

2 easy miles before work.

4 easy miles this morning.  I took it real easy and felt really good.  Best run I've had in a while.

3 miles before work.

3 easy miles.

3.1 miles before work.  Took it real slow.

4 easy miles

2 easy miles

3 miles

3 miles

4 miles before work. 

6 miles this morning.  Longest run in a while.  Felt pretty good.

3 easy miles.  Felt really good.

4 easy miles before work

4 easy miles

3 miles 

8 miles this morning.  Felt really good through 6 but struggled the last 2.

4 miles this morning.  Ran a little faster than I have been.  Felt pretty good.

4 miles

6 miles before work.  Felt really good.

2 easy miles before work.  Had planned on 4 but was getting sick to my stomach.

8 easy miles.  Felt really good.  Not as fatigued as last weeks 8 miler.  

6 easy miles this morning.  Legs felt alright.

4 easy miles before work. Legs felt a little bit better.

6 easy miles before work.  Still a little fatigued, even after the rest day.

8 miles this morning.  Was gonna run 10 but my legs just didn't feel good.  

4 easy miles this morning.

4 easy miles.  Wanted to run 6 but didn't have the time.

6 miles this morning. 

5 easy miles before work.  Legs was a little tired from yesterday.

11 miles this morning.  Felt really good for the most part.  Felt a little tired towards the end but that was expected.

10 mile bike this morning.  Felt really good.  First ride in awhile.  

4 easy miles this morning. 

5 easy miles before work.  9.5 mile bike ride after work.

Was off work today so I rode my bike 13 miles and then ran 4 miles.

4 miles this morning.  Hamstring was bothering me a little so I stopped and rode my bike for 6 miles. 

4 easy miles this morning

4 miles

6 miles before we headed to Tuscaloosa.

3 miles after work. 

4 miles this morning.

Got to the race a little later than I wanted to and didn't have as much time to warm up as I wanted to.  I had planned to run at a easy pace because I've been sick and I haven't been running much because the legs have been hurting.  The race had a bunch of rolling hill that my legs wasn't used to but I felt like I ran as fast as I could have and feel good about my time.

Rode my bike 7.25 miles.  Super easy ride to help the legs.

4 easy miles.  Legs were pretty sore still from Sat. race but felt good once I warmed up.

13 mile trail run at Monte Sano.  Planned to only do 8-10 but it ended up being more than I thought.  Felt good while I was running but really sore afterwards.

2 easy miles to shake the loosen my legs up a little.

3 miles before work.

6 miles before work.  Felt really good for most of the run.  Legs seem like they are coming back.

3 easy miles 

I have been looking foward to this race for awhile.  I love trail running, especially at Monte Sano.  I started about half way back and had to take it easy at the start since the trail head was a few hundred feet from the start.  I felt really good for the first part and then felt kinda bad during the middle, then picked it up towards the end.  It was a really fun race on trails that I haven't ran that much.

4 easy miles

4 easy miles

10 miles this morning.  Felt really strong, one of the best runs I've had since being injured.

5 easy miles before work.

3 miles in new shoes.

5 miles

My wife and I spent Friday night in Chattanooga so I ran on Lookout Mt sat morning.  I found  a 12 mile loop on rock creeks website.  Once I got started I couldn't find any trail markings for the trails I needed to be on.  I ran a few on a jeep road and then climbed to the top of lookout mt.  I don't know if I was all the way at the top but the views were great.  I spent a few minutes on the top and then went down.  I had a lot of fun and wish I had more time to spend and try to find the trails for the 12 mile loop but had to get back to Alabama.

4 miles before work.

6 easy miles before work.

5 easy miles before work.

5 miles on the bike.

I had a pretty good race considering my lack of training.  I decided to turn this into a long run and run it for fun so that's what I did.  I ran 2 miles to warm up and finished in enough time to change shoes and get to the start.  My plan was to start slow and pick it up on the last 3 miles.  I ran the first 10 miles around 8:15 pace.  And the last 3 in the high 7's.  When I finished I got some water and then ran 1 mile cool down and stretched really good.  I really enjoyed the race and had fun.

4 easy miles before work.

7 miles this morning.  Felt really good and probably could of went a couple more miles but didn't have the time.

2 miles.  Set the alarm for 4:30 so I could get extra miles in but it was extremely foggy and after 2 miles I decided to stop.  I could barely see so I figured drivers wouldn't see me.

Really tough trail run this morning.  Legs were aching around mile 10 and I ran out of water at mile 13.  I was really suffering and started cramping while climbing waterline the last mile.

4 easy miles before work.  Legs still really sore from Sunday.

5 miles after work.  Got off work a couple of hours early so went to the running track by the house.  Did 1.5 miles slow with the dog and then did 3 at a faster pace.  I then got the dog and did .5 mile cool down.   

Got to the race early and did 2 miles warm-up before the start.  I started further back than I wanted so I had to do a lot of weaving in the first mile before I could run faster.  Felt good the whole race.  After watching my finish I headed out for 2.5 more miles.

 Watch time was 23:00

Mile 1-7:45

Mile 2- 7:10

Mile3- 7:08

.1- :57 (6:01 pace)

Got up early and headed to Monte Sano to run.  It was cold and raining when I left but had mostly stopped by the time I got started.  My legs felt fresh and not tired surprisingly.  I took one wrong turn early and couldn't find a trail I was looking for later but overall it was a good run.   Really happy my legs felt good.

3 miles at the track with the dog.

6 miles before work.

4 miles at the track in the rain.

7 miles before work.  Felt really good.

3 miles after work with the dog.  Felt pretty tired.

2 miles.  Planned on more but just didn't feel like running so I took the bike out for 4.5 freezing miles.

5 miles before work.

3 miles on the treadmill.

8 miles before work.

3 miles on the treadmill during lunch and 3 more on the track close to the house after work.

11 miles.  I wanted to do more but my wife had to work.  

8 miles after work in the cold.

12 miles this morning.  Had a rare day off so decided to go a little longer.  Legs are feeling really good.

3 easy miles on the treadmill

2 easy miles on the treadmill.

17 mile trail run at Monte Sano.  

10 miles after work.  Did 8 then picked up the dog and did 2 more.  Felt really good.

4 hard miles in the snow

6.1 miles.  Part of the Operation Jack Satellite Run.

8 miles 

Used this race as a long run for Mountain Mist 50k.  The course is a 1 mile out and back and then 10 3 mile loops.  I started hurting around mile 15 and almost called it quits after 22 but decided to keep going.  Had fun and it was a nice day to run with temps in the low 70's.