Non-Running Streak

I last ran on December 10.  I am really trying to view this as an accomplishment, rather than a failure.  I last exercised eleven days ago. I'm trying to view this as therapeutic rather than catastrophic.  I keep looking for progress on the various inflammations that are supposed to be heeling.  I'm also trying to take the long view.  However, as we all know, in the long term  . . .

I ran so I can ...

A Classic set up for tee shirts and hats sported by runners.  The answers usually are "eat anything" and "drink beer".  For me, the obvious answer is "nap".

Just woke up from a stunning 2 1/2 hour nap following the F3 Chicago Winter Half-Marathon.  This was probably the worse conditions I have ever run in.  18 degrees tops, 20 plus MPH mostly cross winds the whole way, although at one point there appeared to be cross-winds coming from the east and west at the same time.  Terrible course conditions which F3 isn't responsible for including way too much ice, thick snow elsewhere on the path, tons of slush (from salting), and heavy mud in one key stretch where some elite runners were tumbling all over the place. 

F3 is responsible for the fact that they can't seem to figure out how to place mile markers or timers on a course in bad weather.  Once again, whatever mile marker they use could not be placed on the course because of the wind. Fair enough, but spray painting the snow in random places is not a reasonably effective substitute. 

I don't know why they can't just bring 10-13 large pieces of cardboard and some sharpies and make signs to give to some of the (very cold) volunteers at the intersections and drink stations or at least tell them what mile they are working at.

I couldn't feel my hands for the first 3 miles or my very wet feet for the last 2.  Finished in an unimpressive 2:20 (but roughly my marathon pace).  While I wasn't going to win any awards, I also don't understand why the organizers would move the awards ceremony from the comfy pub for the after party to the frigid race site.

F3 is 0-2 in my book.  Willing to give them a chance for warm weather races but they seem to specialize in winter races.

Congrats to my Loyola colleague Matt Sag who came in under 2 hours in these dreadful conditions.

It's happening . . .

US Airways bought American Airlines in a 363(b) sale conducted by the bankruptcy court.  Many, myself included, opined widely and loudly that this was a bridge too far in airline consolidation.  Evidence disseminated by AAI demonstrates the unsurprising result that past airline mergers have been followed by price increases and capacity reductions (a necessary corollary of the increases).  My own experience from the Delta-Northwest merger was that Northwest flights from IND-DCA, my commuting route, ceased, and the competitive $187 round-trip fare on which I used to count increased dramatically.

But then industry maverick US Airways, while charging me $300 at the minimum for my flights, took the salutary step of putting first class cabins in all of its regional jets except for the very smallest.  The Embraer 170s that populated the IND-DCA route all had cabin upgrade capability.  Now that my weekly flying was limited to US Airways, I amassed enough cred. with the airline to be upgraded on perhaps 90% of my flights.  It may seem like a luxury, but after 8 1/2 years of commuting for work it has become something of a necessity.

I've been waiting for the other shoe to drop.  After buying American, US Airways (now American) surely would have more profitable routes for its nicely accoutered aircraft.  DFW-LAX?  ORD-LGA?  And sure enough, for the first time in years, my pre-flight e-mail tells me "no upgrades available on this flight", which is not the same as the "you didn't make the cut" e-mail.  It means instead planes with no first-class cabin will be serving my route.

$300 for the pleasure of an annoying trip without the pre-take-off coffee and human-sized seating is a tad rich.  If the price drops closer to the competitive level, I'll deal with cattle car service -- but I'm not holding my breath.

Ready to rumble

Did an icy slushy 8.5 yesterday in very nice 35 degree sunny weather.  The Polar half is this coming Saturday.  Weather conditions look ok, but worried about the ground conditions. The Oak Street curve is a sheet of bumpy ice and part of the course in both conditions.  With sub zero predicted for Tuesday through Thursday, yesterdays slush will add a nice layer of permafrost to the current ice field. Since there is no real alternative wondering what race organizers are going to do.  I don't have lots of confidence in them based on their performance in he December 8K where high winds simply baffled them. 

Swimstreak

So, I haven't really run since just before Christmas.  I've barely cycled.  I am spending more time with doctors than at the gym, but at least, for the last four days I've managed to put in some quality time in the pool.  I also did a little bit of work on the stair master (works the glutes and hamstring without loading the heel) and some weights.  Can't tell if it's helping . . .

Can't Believe I am the Healthy One

So there is nothing actually wrong with me at the moment except a thumb injury which doesn't affect running and the fact I am old and don't have a good winter base established.  But I do have a half marathon coming up on January 25th.  I plan to run as long as the wind chill doesn't fall below 12-15 (above zero).  Today was around 40 and partially sunny so I got out for 7.5 miler going north in Lincoln Park.  The main problem was left over ice and giant puddles of slush which I avoided all but two times.  The problem is that this is my longest run since forever.  I plan to do one more longish run of 8.5 or so if the weather holds the next few days.  What do you all think about then doing a half with that as my longest training run?  I sure I can finish but I think its going to be ugly.  Ugly I can take, but not interested in ugly, not fun, and injured as the result.

 

Podiatrist

Okay, so I finally broke down and went to the doctor.  Diagnosis: "your heel is pretty inflamed."  That's actually good news.  The x-ray didn't show anything. Next week, I'll get an ultrasound, to look at soft tissue. In the meantime, she suggested and we're now trying a "homeopathic injection."  Apparently, it's injectable "Traumeel".  I've used Traumeel before, and it seemed to help, so here's hoping that injecting it in about 8 places (ouch, ouch, ouch) will help even more.

No running until after the ultra-sound, but they seem to have a menu of treatments to try.  Woohoo!!