Hope To Run Again Before End Of The Year

You know I cannot say with any certainty that this is the case, but I think it is my hamstring that is causing my calf to hurt. The pain is very high on the calf, just below the back of the knee. When I stretch my calf I get very little relief. But when I stretch the hamstring it feels a little better. All of my life, at least since I was a young kid, I have had tight hamstrings. I was and still am the guy who can barely reach to his shins when trying to touch his toes. I have never done enough stretching, but I guess I need to change that way of thinking.

Quads got sore today. Mile 4 was into the wind.

When I left the house it was lightly sprinkling rain. It felt good and helped keep me cool. Both legs were tight, but not hurting. Miles 1,2, & 3 felt normal. Cardio was real good. Then the rain picked up. I looked at my watch and it showed I was only 3.13 miles into the run. Actually it turned into a real downpour. Luckily the wind did not pick up any with the extra rain. At mile 4 my shoes were soaked and heavy. I had already started to pick up my pace when the rain got harder so I could get on home in case it turned out to be a thunderstorm. Several tornadoes had hit in our region today and my power went out twice. As my pace got faster I started to feel better. Somewhere in the beginning of the 5th mile the rain stopped. But I could not slow down. The rain must have hit my "GO" button because I just kept on letting my legs speed up.

It felt good to run at speed again on that last mile. I do not think I did any harm to my calf. The 12 days I took off did nothing to help it, and the running since then does not seem to hurt it anymore either. Its just there. Hurts more when walking than running. Still, I will be careful of it and keep fast paces like today to a minimum.

I was happy to see my shoes had dried out very nicely after yesterday's rainy run. I left them in front of the vent at the bottom of the refrigerator. Mike Kirk told me that when I was a Sophomore back in 1986. Still works.

My runs would feel so much better if my quads, hamstrings, and calves were not so sore and tight. It may be time to get some new shoes. Maybe I will have a chance next week.

Today miles 1 & 2 were into the wind. I would have sworn the 1st mile would have been 8:20. It really did not feel like 7:50 pace. Miles 3 & 4 the wind was on my back. 5th mile had some downhills and mile 6 had some ups. On 7 & 8 I just cruised on in to the house.

And man are my legs so sore and tight right now. I will try to stretch them out some while working Midnight Shift tonight.

Worked Midnight Shift last night. Only 5 more to go 'til this one is done. Man, my legs are so tight. Will try some stretching later.

Today is a planned rest day.

Last night my right hamstring and calf were tight. As soon as I woke up today I put heat on both of them. Then I stretched them as best I could. My flexibility is so poor that stretching my hamstrings is a funny site, and not easy to do.

Ran to the pool, mostly into the wind. Leg felt ok. Then swam. Could feel the hamstring pulling tight when I was doing breaststroke. Then I ran home. 1st mile on the the way home I had the wind on my back. 2nd mile was downhill. 3rd had some uphill. 4th mile a big side stitch came in my right side. This threw off my rhythm, stride, breathing, arm swing, concentration, ......everything. By the end of mile 5 I felt wiped out. But I got in the miles and that is always good.

Run 1 - 2.11 miles - 8:03, 7:48, :49 - 16:40 - 7:54 avg.

Swim - 1000 yards free/breast mix - 18:30

Run 2 - 5 miles - 7:42, 7:36, 7:48, 7:50, 7:40 - 38:36 - 7:43 avg.

Slept only 5 hours today. I guess it showed. Ran 2 miles to the pool. Into the wind with little shelter to block it it on the 2nd mile.

Swam 1000 yards. Had less energy than yesterday.

Ran home. The gas tank was empty ! I really struggle running home. Was going for 5, but settled for 3.

I hope tomorrow is better.

Run - 2.11 - 7:55, 7:52 - 16:39 - 7:53 avg.

Swim - 1000 yds free/breast mix - 18:36

Run - 3.35 - 8:07, 8:41, 8:40, 3:02 - 28:30 - 8:30 avg.

For the first time this week my alarm had to wake me up. I was so tired last night I guess I needed the rest.

Running was poor again today. My energy was so low. I think the warmer temps are a slight factor, but mostly the change in my sleep schedule has the most to do with it. We will see next week when I change shifts.

On the last 2 miles I had to force myself to pick up the pace. If not, I might have succumbed to my very strong urge to stop and walk.