Almost a DNS

The wildly hot weather in Chicago yesterday called for a visit to get frozen custard at you know where. Here are a couple photos to be jealous of.

I went to bed with my calves giving out. I don't think I had more than 10 steps left. I was beat.

Get up at 3:40, let's get this party started. After yesterday's great run, I was hoping for a repeat leg confidence for a fun run with Erin and Corey.

I step out of bed and had a cramp in my left calf.  Doesn't feel like the current strain I'm rehabbing.  I pause and think.. your move leg, are we running today or not...

I proceed to get ready, drink coffee, and bio break. I use the stick and foam roller to see if I get any reaction... Nope feel fine. Mentally I'm nervous, physically I can't reproduce the cramp. I just feel that inner oddness in my calf. At least it is a recovery run. I had to decide by 4 if I was running to let Erin know my final start time or if at all.  Lets do it.  At least my mind wasn't on my gut.

I don't bother with my GPS today and just go at what I feel safe with. Slow first mile. Stretch. Already sweating a lot, but it is cooling off and getting foggy.

I meet up with Erin and give her a heads up that I'm half expecting to get a flat and have to walk home.  We do a more gentle pace than normal thankfully. The easy pace combined with talking the entire run helped keep my mind off my fear and let me enjoy the run.

We pick up Corey and have a delightful run. The breeze from the north felt great, and it was fun watching the sky go from clear and full of stars to full on mist/fog. I think I forgot to pause my timer a couple times, but does it really matter if you are having a good time and not for a fast time?

Got home, plenty of time for stretching. Leg holding together. Physical Therapy this evening and rest day from running tomorrow. Good timing!

What was your hot weather comfort food/drink?

Do you mentally make mountains out of mole hills?

And your inspirational photo for the day - replace "Landing a plan" with running your goal race:

And funny running read: What's your running confession? 

Quick Weekend Review

I'm writing this in borrowed time, hoping my tot stays asleep for a long nap, so I'll try to make it quick (TWSS).

Saturday Morning: 8 mile run, easy pace. The first couple miles I was closer to 9 minute miles, and my legs felt tired. Still not trusting my left leg fully. After a few miles, I warmed up enough and my end average pace was about 8:15.  I also saw Mrs Fueling Strong and got my usually super friendly hello!

I went to Lickity Split in the afternoon and got a frozen vanilla custard, mixed with a cookie dough cupcake, and a shot of espresso. YUM. ALL THE ENERGY!  I really want another one today...Foursquare says I have been there... 62 times so far. I missed a couple check ins, and it doesn't count the times my wife has gone to pick stuff up. I'm pretty sure I've gotten them through some tough times. 

Saturday evening my wife went out to a girls night out with the other mothers in her play group, and the dads all congregated at a house and let the kids run a muck while we stood around hoping we wouldn't have to call the wives.  The host had some monster bratwurst from a local butcher which were amaaaaazing. I am so going there for my Wurst Running Club Ever fuel. I also managed to only mention running/marathon training ONCE! like 5 minutes before I left. That is some sort of record isn't it? I like seeing the dynamics of married couples (at least with kids), where one of the two will be much more.. dynamic and loud than the other. In this case, all the dads were pretty chill, but I think I'm the rowdy one in the Stop Running Dad house.

(Kid waking up, HURRY!)

Today I woke up late (5:30am) and started my routine. Bread with peanut butter, 2.5 cups of coffee, and 2 hours of up time before going out for my 16 mile run.  As I mentioned last weekend, the Hanson Marathon Plan calls for me to go at 7:43 minute miles. I was determined to do that speed.

Looking at the temperatures for today and the lack of clouds, I felt the Sun/heat would make it easier for me to slow down and do that pace.

I get out ~ 7:45am, and my left calf was tight. My stretches after 10 minutes helped a bit, but I never really felt a groove for some time.  I was glad I didn't have to go Speedy Gonzalez on my run and the slower pace was a gift today.

My run took me to the Navy Pier area and back to my street. Roughly around mile 7 my left leg finally cooperated and I didn't feel like I was compensating for it anymore.  I had some issues "feeling" what a 7:40 minute mile felt like naturally. I had my GPS give me a reading every half mile to make sure I had time to correct my pace. My end average pace - 7:42. How about dem apples?

I took my clif shot gel - Citrus with caffeine - every 30 minutes, and it all went splendidly.  The area between Fullerton and Navy Pier always lacks shade at the first half of the day, and the Sun did a fine job of stealing lots of energy.

I had mapped out my route on gmap pedometer before leaving so I would hit 16 miles exactly, and not worry if the GPS lost me or gave me an odd distance.  My splits were pretty random, due to a mix of GPS signal and trying to even out my paces after going in a heat lul.


Post run, I feel pretty good. Maybe a shade darker (skin runner). My left leg feels as normal as it does any day. I did all my recommended stretching.

And I saw two of my coworkers also training for marathons, a few morning runners out later as well that I recognized, but I didn't see any running bloggers :( what gives.

Sorry for the lack of photos, but I'll offer you this as the Runger takes over me:

Have a good day all!

Download Almost Complete

I went out today for the schedule 10 mile run at long run pace per Hanson Marathon Method, which should be about 7:40 minute miles.  If you have followed along, I have yet do that, I always go too fast.  I thought today would be a good day to try to do that pace... but I didn't.

As I no longer feel like a rusty trombone, I felt like I might have somewhat better legs today.

I woke up at 5, had a cup of coffee and gave myself about 90 minutes to shake off the morning cobwebs.

Aside from getting my legs nice and limber again, I am regaining what paces should feel like. All I can say is, all this from just a few days off? I obviously have mental issues working against me.

I went out and felt my left leg start to feel a tad tight, I was thinking - wow, I really can't hit any pace.. this isn't good.  I didn't turn my GPS on, so I was just going by my stopwatch.  At the .9 mile marker (.5 on the trail) I looked and I was at 6:10 for time.  Well no wonder, I was busting speed when I should just be warming up.  I spent the next few miles just trying to fall back into place with my normal running, which didn't happen until about mile 5. I was still doing 7 minute miles until then.  I slowed down enough that my end average time 7:24 minute miles. Closer to prescribed pace, but slower than what I usually do. (Prior 14 mile run was done at 7:15s).

So my self reported progress is such:

Leg Strength: 95%
Wind: 95%
Form: 90% (knees are tapping once in awhile which hasn't happened in over a year, and my right leg is still compensating a bit)
Speed: 90% (trying to make sure I don't stretch my hammie post runs, which leaves me a little tight)

I'm happy with the progress considering how I felt in my first couple runs back.

I need to force myself to slow down these long runs though, apparently my ego is too big to let me do that alone.

Tomorrow is an easy 8 miles.  I'll be doing a portion of it at Pint night at Fleet Feet. Will I see you there?

And some Sunday Photos:

 

I also tried something new at Lickity Split today, I got a vanilla frozen custard, mixed with a red velvet cupcake, and got a shot of espresso in it!  It added a good UMPH!

I hope ya'll had a good Sunday! 

Pre Friday Eve Run Day!

Happy Hump Day!

Today is one of my funner runs of the week. Miles are liberal for the Hanson Plan today, do at least 7 at an easy pace (8-9 minute miles). I usually add 3-5 miles to this run so I can match up to a good chunk of Erin's run as well. With that being said, it was super difficult to get out of bed today. "Woke" up at 3:40am and got the coffee in me. So tired. Haven't done a great job the last couple nights getting enough sleep. I wasn't sure what to expect from my body today. I'm still trying to keep active in stretching and icing my groin and hamstring. I have full ROM without pain. Inactivity tightens them up. The last couple hours of the day they are a bit achey. A nights rest clears it out. Very glad tomorrow is a rest day. Plus side, the amount of time with the aches has diminished every evening.

Left for the run around 4:35.  I wasn't super comfortable with how my GI system was. It felt good enough to do an easy pace, but something felt done super ready. I gave it 45 minutes already, so no more waiting. First mile was the usual shaking off the kinks and soreness. There were a lot more people out this morning than yesterday, both random people walking who don't look like they just got up, to runners and bikers. I met up with Erin and we had a please run on the path, well as pleasant as the high humidity would allow.  About half way through my thoughts about my guy were right, and I started to worry that this might be a DNF or have to scurry to a restroom. After slowing down for a little bit, the feeling left me and I felt fine again.

Erin had 14 miles on her plan for today (Not a typo), so she ran with me to my stopping point by my building, high fives, and she went to finish the last miles hard.

I finished looking like someone sprayed me with a hose (note: the bridge between Belmont and Fullerton has early morning sprinklers which mist onto the path, and felt amazing). I ate two popsicle thingies while I stretched, cleaned up, and changed back into normal person mode and composed this blog for you.

OH! And I retained Foursquare mayor status at Lickity Split last night. They rolled out peach flavored frozen custard and I mixed it with a salted caramel cupcake. YUM.

And for making your way to the end of this post:

Run it, I'm on one

Happy Friday!

Yesterday evening my daughter had a pasta dinner, which is always messy, but she provided this golden moment:

Afterwards we went out to Lickity Split, my wife got frozen custard and I got a piece of carrot cake. My tot was enjoying it, until a girl and her mother sat in the table next to us and our tot gave them a dirty look (the photo does not do it justice):

She was even able to ask for more ice cream while holding this mean face. 

--

Last night I decided to change up my morning routine for the harder runs. I get frustrated by not having my normal legs/speed for the pre 5am runs. So I told myself to wake up 30 minutes early to get a cup of coffee in me and have a little extra time to get my body ready. (See 4am..)

I also watched some clips to my favorite gun kata movie staring Christian Bale, Equilibrium (any fans?). I took this clip as my mindset for my pace run today.

Last week was a hilly and somewhat stomach plagued run due to copious amounts of junk food and BBQ. And week before that, I was a bit on the slow side. So I wanted this run. I'm coming for you...

Wake up 4am, feel good. Get coffee and chill for a bit. It does its job, if you know what I'm saying.

Actually put on a shirt today as it was below 65, which is winter compared to the last week. In case you missed my last post about preventing nipple chafing, especially for guys that don't shave their chests, liquid bandage and add waterproof medical tape before it hardens. That tape is sticking to you like a stage 5 clinger. Only down side is getting used to taking that tape off, but maybe you're into that (freak!) And peeling off liquid skin from hair is a fun game too. Don't forget to take it off (even sticks in shower). I left it on by mistake and went to work once, and when I didn't realize it until I was in the locker room at the gym... Woops.

Anyways, marathon pace run today. 1.5 mile warm up, 6 pace (tempo if you follow Hanson terms) , 1.5 cool down. GPS didn't connect until half a mile in, which is also the start point of the path, so I was able to see how close my GPS was to path measurements today. When I stopped to take a photo of pre-sunset, I saw my GPS was ready.

The path was very lightly populated today, which I can only assume is because a lot of people did the Bastille Day race, including a lot of the blogging community! I was going to try to link them all based on photo's I've seen, but I would still be missing some I'm sure.

The flip side to the lightly populated run, was that everyone seemed extra friendly. I even got hellos/waves in Lakeview, Lincoln Park, and from people on bikes! woah.

Now for the run stats for anyone that cares. My goal was to hover around 7 minute miles, but I ended up going a bit faster. I tried to slow it down time to time, but I always felt I was going to slow. The only time my GPS seemed off was at mile 3, when it took about an extra 10 seconds after passing the 3 mile marker, then my times were about right.

Easy run tomorrow. I need to start checking which bloggers will be out on the path Saturday and Sunday morning for side fives! Post if you will so I can look for you!

Thought of the day: Have you ever thought what you'd look like if you spend as much time in the weight room as you did running? We'd be beasts.

Have a great day!

Straining to Run

I seem to have a knack for straining my calf doing intervals.  Last fall I had a mild strain to my right calf due to over striding my intervals. Some PT and slower running and I was over it.  Tuesday I had intervals, which I felt I landed okay, but I guess not okay enough boo. I was questioning over the last couple days if its just an ache or what. Same calf, top left side but not as bad thankfully. Ice, compression wrap. No pain to touch, no redness, fine walking and stairs, and I can still run. The runs are a bit more effort.

Yesterday I did 10 miles, I am going to fall into the Hanson schedule now which called for an easy run, so I just did whatever felt comfortable. I almost turned back after 1 mile, as my leg was aching. Not a sharp pain, just that dull warm pain of a strain. I told myself to try a couple miles as these things tend to feel better after a little bit of running. The ache turned duller and by mile 6, it was fairly manageable.  I wasn't tracking my pace as I didn't want to feel some mental obligation to do more. It was also in the evening, which is not my usual run time and felt odd to be out with so many people and not on a Sunday. I got home and felt okay, lots of stretches and icing.

This morning was an easy/recovery type run, 7 miles, slower than yesterday. I wore my compression sleeve on my leg and my warm up for my leg only took like 2-3 miles and I started to feel like I could push off easier. All I did was think about my leg and my training for the run. Would I be able to get recovered from this fast? I figure I can take it a little easier on the next interval day or so, but keep up my miles and keep the tempo days in.  I have to make it a point to make time in the evening to do hip work outs to keep my calves from overcompensating.  My wife is also getting back into jogging and we were able to talk aches that I could finally relate to!

Enough about my pity fest!

This morning's run was also pretty nice. Decent weather, Elijah Running Group was out in force, and on my return trip.. CARA pace groups were hitting the lakefront in mass. I passed at least 5 groups, and I'm sure there were a few more that were coming around an offshoot of the path. I swear I saw Fueling Strong out there in a pace group, or at least her twin ( if you read this mrs fueling, were you out there?).

After my run and getting the kid fed, we went to M Henrietta for breakfast. Anyone I go there, I MUST get the out of this world breakfast bread pudding: a bowl of our creamy vanilla and egg custard brioche bread pudding, topped w/warm peaches & blackberries. Simply AMAZING! I got the large portion, which can be a meal on its own.. But after not eating enough last night, it was a side :) I also got 2 eggs, house potatoes, and toast (which my daughter ate half of with the jam... fun to clean up :) )

Photo:

If I ever learn to make this, I will become 500lbs

Upon getting my eggs and potatoes, there were some cherry tomatoes on the plate.. which my daughter thought were grapes.. With the speed of a striking viper, snatched one from my plate, stuffed it in her mouth.. and hilarity ensued - sour face, spitting back out, and recovery time.. Thankfully we had an amazing waitress who brought her a little plate of fruit without asking!  My wife has an excellent meal which I was fortunate enough to finish off (including the plantains! YUM!)

Later today I want to go to Lickity Split to try their strawberry frozen custard and mix it with a cupcake.  I hope I can keep my calf fresh enough to do a long run tomorrow! I am in contact with a fairly fast runner who is recovering from an injury and his slow state run now is my fast pace (~7 minute miles for a long run, he is going back to 6:30 for 18-20 miles, yikes!) So I hope I can stay healthy enough to do a few runs with him and not let him down! (With that, ever you ever need a running buddy, let me know!)

Any plans for Father's Day Weekend?
Do you love Frozen Custard?
Any extra massages/stretches you do for tight/lightly strained calves?

Have a great one!

Don't Chorizo Burrito and Run

Yesterday when I got from work, and these lace thingies came in the mail from +Saucony :

One for my wife and one for me

I'll put them on my Boston Marathon New Balance kicks tonight!

Last night we went to That Little Mexican Cafe in Edgewater to meet up with some friends of the family. I decided to take a selfie of the toddler (front facing camera, excuse the quality) on my back!

CHEESE! See my toys?!

Review in brief of the restaurant, food is about average, prices too high for what you get (even though their motto is "Where you peso little and get so much!".  The waitress was annoying, our daughter was eating with a fork and the waitress thought that was too dangerous, took it away and gave her a spoon. After getting the spoon, she stopped eating and let it drip on her lap.. I didn't want to start any ish with the waitress as we were with company, but I was sitting next to her and the last thing I'm doing is letting her get hurt.

I ate their Chorizo Burrito, which tasted fine, but didn't fill me up at all. So we went to Lickity Split afterwards and it was amazeballs as usual!

I got up this morning  for a 7 mile easy/recovery run. My stomach apparently wasn't recovered... Yada yada, runners you know what must be done before any run, I thought I was good to go... not so much, the majority of my run was spent fighting a sour stomach. If it wasn't for the burrito issues, it was a great run. I'm seeing more small groups of runners, which I imagine are pace groups for some run clubs, and the Elijah running group was out in force as usual.

Mr V was out on his bike and gave his usual inspirational hello, but the best one goes to this old man who was 65+ and was ecstatic to wave hello and say good morning.

I used my New Balance M890v2s that I am phasing out to retirement, and I can feel the difference from my newer M890v3 that I'm breaking in, I miss that cushioning!

My wife is trying to make a Vlog of our day, so be on the look out for that later on my blog.

We went out to get a Dirty Horchata ice coffee from Metropolis Coffee, I like it, my wife not so much, so I got them both :) Also, we picked up a doughnut (which they carry Bennison's Bakery donuts) since we didn't celebrate yesterday.

 

We went to the park after to let our tot run around and she also had a piece of the doughnut!

May I have a piece mom?

And the last photo for the afternoon, a view of the city and the standing paddle boarders thingies that +Emily Seto and others are going to in July!

This afternoon we are planning on going to Midsommarfest in Andersonville! Will I see any of you there?

Are you going to any festivals this weekend or runs?

Slept in Saturday

Last night I went to Jin Thai Cuisine restaurant in Edgewater. I won't go into some big review of it (it was tasty and the service was excellent), but I have to mention it to give you the chance to see the evil scowl my daughter has been doing around strangers.

Don't look at me!

 This isn't close to the worst of it, but I didn't have my phone ready for the other moments.  When the waitresses would come to our table, our daughter immediately pulled out this look, and the longer they stayed or tried to cheer her up, the more scrunched up she would make her face and tuck in her chin. My wife called it - a devil made from a cupcake - look.  They had a good laugh, as did we, but oh man she has some DIRTY LOOKS.  One we got up to leave, she smiled at everyone, said bye, and blew them a kiss... We went to Lickity Split after, and I got vanilla custard mixed a red velvet cupcake and my wife got a vanilla custard mixed with a lemon cupcake, but amaaazing.

Now to today - I overslept! YIKES! I set my alarm for 5:10am. I was planning on running a little longer today and do a more scenic route. But I woke up instead to my wife waking me saying, weren't you supposed to get up already? I didn't hear your alarm. I checked, I did have it on, it was now about 5:30! Yikes. Thank you wifey! Got ready quickly (stomach wasn't super ready, but enough for a recover run) and got outside.

No run pictures today as I was on a tight schedule to get home to shower and get the kiddo up at 7.
Quick recap: 6 miles, easy pace (I maybe went a little faster than I planned). mid 50s temp. Saw some normies (thumbs up guy, some middle ages guys, and this Kenyan that lives somewhere close by who always gives me a friendly gesture hello), and the Elijah Running group ( It seems there might be close to 100 of them) were 95% of the path runners.

My wife will be out for a good chunk of the afternoon and evening so I'll see what trouble I can get into with my daughter today! Suggestions?

What are your plans for the weekend? Races/Runs?

Happy Friday Run

Going through the blogs I follow, I see a constant stream of food pictures, be they healthy or homemade.

Well here is my run fuel the night before a 9 miler.

Went to Dak (Korean Chicken Wings- BIG WINGS) then to Lickity Split for a Crazy Cake frozen custard ( vanilla custard blended with a red velvet cupcake - Frozen custard blended with one Flirty cupcake of your choice... frosting too, topped with candy sprinkles).  No photo of the custard taken as I inhaled it like a hungry vacuum!

Spicy BBQ Korean Red Pepper Paste

 Just gotta say, dang. I'm doing a remix of Trey Songz 2 reasons to - I only went out for two reasons, custard and the wings.  Also learned my daughter does not care for Korean BBQ yet.... More for me!
That was race fuel if I ever had some.

Fast forward to 4:40am,  up and get ready. Low 40s for temp. Now this temperature range is like the puberty of running weather, you deal with a variety a body adaptations.  A little chilly to start, but not enough to warrant more than a base wickering layer, and you build a decent sweat by the end of the run.

Today I extended my run to 9 miles, so speed wasn't on the menu.  I went out thinking of what would make this run different, but it was just the ideal run.  It's the reason why I run.

A gorgeous moon to the west, and the awakening of the sky to east with a color palette that would inspire any painter.

But wait, there's more!

Friday magic and the undeniable awe of the morning touched every runner. I never had so many people wave, smile, nod or say hello during a run. Even got doubles from people as we crossed doing our loop backs. Can we be Facebook friends?

I think Chicagoans are itching for the nicer weather and break out of the cabin fever. We all want to enjoy Chicago after earning our due from the long winter and chilly spring.

Keep running!