Streak is at 2

Ted has me thinking "streak!" and so today for the first time since September I ran the second day in a row.  This was an easy 5.6 miles out Nebraska to Massachusetts, west on Mass. past AU Washington College of Law (one of four law colleges branded "Washington" of which I am aware -- are there others?), northeast on Western Avenue -- the Maryland side of the street! -- to Chevy Chase Circle, and back to the start via Chevy Chase Parkway.  The knee has never really acted up while running, so it means little to report it didn't today.  Last night it did keep me awake for a while.  I'm swallowing the idea that this may be the new normal.  And in lack of a good shorter-term goal I'm considering an attempt to play Cal Ripken to Ted's Lou Gehrig . . .

Progress

Okay, so as the running streak ends, I should at least note that I've made progress in one respect.  I mentioned earlier that I've been taking a swim class. The theory was that unlike running and biking, where improvements are likely to be marginal, with swimming there was some real room for improvement.  Or, to put it another way, I was pretty sure I was doing it wrong.  Well, last night was the last class, so we compared our time for an "all out" 200 to the time we swam at the beginning of the class.  I improved from 3:42-3:21.  This is nothing to write home about, but I can see places where it would improve further.  My kick is still a mess.  I'm still balancing cadence and glide.  There's plenty more to do, but it's not nothin'.  On the other hand, this also emphasizes the conundrum of the swim in tri. Ten seconds per hundred is a big improvement.  It adds up to 2.5 minutes in an actual race . . . That's not nuthin' either, but it's within the race to race variation for the other events . . . I guess the hope is that get to the point where I stay with the pack, feel comfortable drafting, etc. there will be some synergies.  

Big dreams

Today at a work retreat, we did an ice breaker where everyone says what they would do if they won the lottery.

My answer: Buy an Alter-G treadmill (http://www.alterg.com/) and employ an at-the-ready physical therapist. 

Sigh. 

Lucky Seven

I've spent a good two months either not running or not really running and the time has come to get moving again.  Today I ran seven.  It felt great.

Streak Ending?

Okay, so I made it through Day 13 of the running streak by heading out at 10:00 last night for a short, slow 1.5 miles through the neighborhood.  It was a beautiful run, with lots of pop-up Christmas tree lots, busy restaurants and a quiet, empty, Cobble Hill Park.  I kept it slow, and felt fine during the run when I got home.  This morning, I ran to the gym, and didn't feel particulary tight, but when I got on the bike, I couldn't stand in the pedals.  That has never happened before and is a bad sign.  I think it may be time to forget about the "streak" and take a rest day or several . . .

Running Streak

Somewhat at the instigation of my friends at the South Brooklyn Running Club, and partially due to a particularly run friendly Thanksgiving day weekend on Martha's Vineyard, I am currently, and accidentally, on Day 10 of the Runner's World Holiday Run Streak.  There are a number of reasons why this is counterintuitive. First, I have been boycotting Runner's World since they put George W. Bush on the cover half a dozen or so years ago.  Second, given my nagging and persistent heel injury, running every day without rest would seem to be contraindicated.

As I mentioned, the streak started accidentally.  I found myself on Martha's Vineyard for the holiday without a swim or bike option, so Thanksgiving morning, I went out for a very slow run toward the beach.  I focussed on form, and kept my pace in the 12-13 minute mile zone.  Afterwards I felt no pain, and my hips and hamstrings felt better than they have in a while.  The next day I tried it again, this time actually making it to the beach, to snap a few pics.  Again, no pain.  So, by day 3, it was a mini-streak.

Since then, I've managed to keep it up, though on a couple of occasions, I've only run a mile.  Indeed today, it was 1.1 miles on the treadmill, after a spin-class.  The real question is whether this is helping or hurting the various inflammations in my heel.  Mostly, it seems to be helping, so long as I add a couple of extra rules to the streak: (1) go slow (12 minute miles mostly, no faster than 10); (2) concentrate on form (midfoot stride, short stride, quick cadence, lift knees); (3) moderate to short distance (no more than 5-6 miles, usually much shorter).

I don't know if I'll make it to New Years.  I have some heavy duty traveling coming up, but I'll report back.

And the first nomination for the 2013 Blawgie is...

2013 is already a banner year for this wonderful little group chat about running and kvetching about injuries and bad race logistics.  We already have more posts than in any of our prior three years.  But it is time to recognize the best posts of the year.  So I would like to begin with a shout out and nomination to Phil Marsden for his running in Ethiopia post with pictures.  Awesome stuff.

But he is not alone.  Nominate your favorite posts even if they are your own and the ones that get the most favorable comments will be the 2013 Blawgie winners.  You can even create categories.  Phil's would be travel obviously.  Creativity counts for both the posts and the categories.  Perhaps next year we can have actual statuettes, awards like pictured below, or bronzed miniature running shoes for the winners.