Make-up Post #7!!! LONG RUN on 4/7/12

Finally, another long training run.  Best news is - it felt great!  Huge confidence WIN!!!11!!!1!

If you haven't been out to Lake Lenexa, check it out!  Very scenic - definitely doesn't feel like you're in the middle of an urban/suburban metropolis. 

We've embraced the "loop" idea for these longer runs.  Basically:

 - 1 x 2-mile loop around the lake (including a mile on crushed limestone trail)

 - 2 x 5.25-mile loop around the lake - connecting to a perimeter route

Michael (the Bro-in-Law) joined Erin and I for the short loop and one of the big loops.  Erin and I ran the last loop in the dark.  There are only a few hills to speak of - otherwise it's mostly flat or simple rolling throughout.  You scoot around the Falcon Ridge Golf Course on the big loop, which is really very pretty.  You also run through some killer neighborhoods - have to wonder what some of those people do (and figure out what I'm doing wrong!!!).

We all bought minimalist-type running shoes over the past week or so, and Michael and Erin tried them out on this run.  Michael only wore them for the first loop, while Erin wore them for the short loop and one of the long ones.  I opted for neither.  I have enough problems with my left foot as it is.  My main point of purchasing them was to start strengthening my foot while walking, with the HOPE that I can expand into simple running.  My Plantar fasciatis (sp) simply won't allow for me to do a lot without good support.  That something those shoes don't provide. It's my hope that I can go for a run (or just walk around barefoot someday) without having to worry about my foot splitting in two!

Basically, the run was a huge confidence booster!  My left knee got a little sore at the end, but I felt great otherwise.  I probably need to order some new inserts for my shoes though - they're pretty worn.  That might help my knee out too.

D

Running Total:
April:  18.39
2012:  115.39

Make-up Post #6 - 4/5/12

Time is limited, so you gotta do what you can do - when you can do it:

Not a bad little run - get warmed up, and attack the hills!

 I actually thought, at the time, that this route was a lot longer.  When I finished in 38 minutes, I thought I was on top of the world!  Unfortunately, mapmyrun.com had to be a buzz-kill and suck all of my fun out and bring me back to reality.  Oh well.  There were some hills once I got off of Johnson Drive.  Actually, nothing but hills from there.  It's a great training run though - sorta flat to warm up, then BAM!  I probably could have gone on for some time after that run, but babysitting duties called.

I didn't have my chest strap on that night, so I estimated my Calories and have no idea on the HR.  I'm sure it probably spiked closer to the upper 170's and sat in the upper 150's.  I wasn't exactly booking it, but those hills were big at the end.

Now, for some longer action!

D

Running Total:
April:  10.04
2012:  107.04

Make-up Post #5 - 4/3/12

At this point, I feel like things were getting right back on track:

This is the modified "Irish Run".  I ended up short-cutting more out then I wanted to, but I thought I made some of that back by running through the park.  Not a bad run, until the end...

I started out thinking I would just go straight to Erin's parent's house, but after getting going, I turned off on Halsey and off on the "Irish Run" I went.  It turned out to be a great decision.  My leg did start to hurt as I went down the massive hill off of S. 55th, but everything was hunky-dorey from there.  The last hill, of course, was a killer - but when isn't it?  Probably could have kept running for a while if I hadn't just climbed that last big hill.  Actually, I felt fine - just needed water, some Gu, and off I could have gone (easy to say now).

Getting back into some decent runs.  Now, onto the longer runs!

D

P.S.  It's also worth noting that this marks my 100th mile for the year!  YAY! (and at the same time, boo - I was hoping to hit that by the middle of February - d'oh!)

Running Total:
April:  5.89
2012:  102.89

Make-up Post #4... 3/28/12

The last run of the month of March.  That'll do, pig... that'l do....

This is quickly becoming one of my favorite circuit runs.  Pretty straight forward - a few hills, but not too shabby.  I have a feeling that I can make this into some sort of up-tempo run in the future.

The heart rate was up a little, but I was feeling great on this particular day.  That, and I had a limited amount of time to work with.  Sooooo, my mileage total for March was.... well, pretty bad.  I did get the "long runs" started though, and had 2 long bike rides to throw into the mix.  I plan to keep that action up through April.  I should update my comparison chart - to see where I'm at vs. where I should be at.

On second thought.... naaahh.  Let's wait on that.

D

Running Total:
March:  33.68
2012:  97.00

Make-up Post #3!!! - 3/24/12

This was another Post-bike 2 miler:

This may look a lot like one of my previous runs, but... yeah, that's because it is.

The pace was much faster this time, and the bike ride was longer too.  That makes me feel good about life.  The leg was plenty warm, and aside from my heart, there was no pain.  Good times, indeed!  

Not much else to say - more to come!

D

Running Total:
March:  29.26
2012:  92.52

Make-up Post #2 - from 3/23/12

Here's the next run in the string of the un-blogged:

 Not a long one, but this follows the path of "easing back in".

I should throw in that, while these are the only "runs" I'm getting in, I'm trying to stay active in other ways.  FOr instance, I've used the XBox 360, with a great workout program to get a good full body conditioning workout. The name of the program escapes me right now, but I'll be sure to post it later - great stuff.  I've also still been playing soccer on Sundays.  While I'm done with soccer NOW (until the marathon is over), it went strong through April 1st.

This was a very pleasant little run.  Not too exciting, but enough to get me loosened up and easing back into it.  Other than that, not too much to report.   Good times - every mile counts!

D

Running Total:
March:  27.19
2012:  90.45

Furthest Back run I can find...

The first post-re-re-re-re-injury run I can recall was on 3/18/12.

Post-Bike ride, which accounts for the high heart rate.  Not a bad little loop...

This run was done right after a mid 20's-ish miles of bike riding.  It was early, I was a little short on calories, and obviously a little tired from the bike ride.  I'm glad I got this in though.  My quad was nice and warm from the ride, so I figured it would be safe to run.  Otherwise, no pain or worries.

My friend, to be known as "Mattie-P", has a couple of loops laid out in his neighborhood - a 2, 4 and 6 mile loop route(s) that make stacking up mileage pretty easy.  This was a nice "transition" ride, to get some practice from switching from the bike directly to a run.  This is an important component of a triathlon, so I hope to get several of these in this summer.

I have too many runs to write about, so that's all I'm spilling in this post.  tl;dr: Leg felt great - short, post-bike run.

D

Running Total:
March:  23.88
2012:  87.14