Wow, what a February (lost month)

Well, sorry for not keeping this blog up to date.  In my last post - titled "Nagging" - I discussed a little about the pain I was in during my last run from January.  I really did something to the quad muscles on my left leg.  Strain, pull - not sure.  Basically, I haven't been able to do a lot since that day.  It's been HARD.  I've been so demoralized since that incident.  I see the days flying off the calendar, and I knew that I wasn't doing ANYTHING meaningful to get me to my goal.  The date that I was supposed to start my formal training came and went, and it's been a journey just to be able to run again.  It hurt just to walk around my office.  My bro-in-law is training to become a P.T., and he gave me some good advice about stretching and targeting the muscles in question.  Well, I'm happy to report that I think he was right, and the stretching seems to be working!

So what have I been up to?  I've been swimming twice - about a mile each time.  I've also done the exercise bike 2 tiems as well - for 30-45 minutes a shot.  That said, I've still played soccer (indoor) - 2 times this month.  Something about the soft rubber surface that doesn't hurt.  Probably contributing to my muscle tightness.  I've already decided that this will be my last session.  :(

I've gone "running" on two separate occasions - once on a treadmill at the Merriam Community Center, and once around the indoor track at the Mission Community Center (this past Wednesday).  Well, the latter gave me some confidence.  After a LOT of stretching over the past from weeks, I decided to go for it on their rubber track.  Results:  No pain.  It was a GREAT feeling!  It's been so tough, mentally over the last few weeks that.... I can't even tell you how wonderful it was.  I ate dinner with a smile, I laughed more, I broke into spontaneous song and dance - what a feeling!  So that takes me tonight:

My first run in, well, a pretty damn long time.  Felt good...

Nothing too special - relatively flat, but it marked progress.  I stretched a lot before I got started, after the first mile, and at about mile 3.  I just wanted to make sure that everything was staying loose.  My big toe on my right foot was hurting a bit, so I will continue to stretch my calf muscles more - pretty sure it's all connected.

I talked to Erin earlier tonight - we're going to lay out our marathon plan tomorrow.  She went on an 8 miler today (which I think is about right), but we both agree that we need to step our game up if we're going to do this.  This will mean committing to 3 runs during the work week and getting that long run in on Saturday.  I plan on biking a lot for my cross-training, as that plays nicely into my triathlon training goals.  I hope to put something in print on this blog (my training schedule) so that I can go item by item as the days go by to check on how I'm doing.

Okay - lots to do yet tonight - soccer game at 9:15.

D

Running Total:
February: 6.63 (lost month)
2012:  59.53