Really happy about my knee and trying to learn Arabic

The last few runs I have had I experienced a great deal of pain on the left side of my out knee. I did some research and figured it could be tendinitis. At any rate the pain was sometimes unbearable and I read that you are not supposed to run through pain even though I always do. Not Smart!

Anyway it came to a head on Monday when twice, about mid way through mile 4 my left knee buckled and I almost fell on the pavement. I thought the first time was just a fluke but then it happened again and I could barely finish the run.

Later in the day when I went back to work I was walking up some steps and I felt a snap and a stinging pain that made me want to scream to the top of my lungs, but since I was at work I just moaned and grimaced in pain. I thought for a moment that I may have torn or really damaged something. I was afraid to take another step but I had to see if this was something serious. Thankfully it didn't seem to be. It seemed more like something may have been out of place and just found its way back.

At any rate I rested and went for a five mile run yesterday. I made sure that I stretched before the run and I also consciously made sure that I ran on the balls of my feet. I didn't have one ounce of pain and my pace was the best it's been. The final ingredient was after the run I iced my knee and for the first time there was no pain in my knee after a run.

I hope that the extent of my knee pain was just incorrect running and not stretching. I have to keep an eye on it though because as I push my distance I might start having some problems. Some of you are probably asking why I haven't seen a specialist yet. It's simple, my experience with doctors is like my experience with the weather man, I still keep an umbrella handy. I hate to say it but unless it is really serious it seems like a waste of time. I have always been pretty proactive with seeing doctors but they generally never take any of my concerns seriously they tell me I'm to young to be worried about any thing. Not that I have anything against doctors but I have learned that being proactive and educating myself is for now the best way.

Another thing about my run yesterday was that I was able to make time for a goal I am striving toward. I am trying to learn several new languages over the next ten years. I was able to listen to some Arabic lessons on my Ipod instead of my usual music play list. It is tough to concentrate but this is really the only time I have and I will just repeat the lessons until it starts to sink in.

Brrrrr!

I went running on Saturday and it took everything not to run back inside and crawl back under the blankets! It was cold, cold, cold!

I ran for six miles and I don't think I started sweating until mile six. Yesterday was much better. The weather was great...I'm on track with my running goals so far and still working on my fund raising. I ordered some CRSF writ bands for those who make contributions. I think that will be a nice touch, but we'll see.

No Pain!

So I did my research and stretching and ran with no pain in my feet. I think the biggest problem was that my laces were too tight!

I need to work on my left knee though. I have always had pain in my knees but I am starting to get a little concerned about how it is feeling. I'll do some reading and resting this holiday weekend and see if I can find a solution.

Be Smart and run longer

I have learned that I can only turn a deaf ear to my body for only so long. I have been experiencing a great deal of pain in the top of my right foot. The pain was almost too much to bare and still I ran on it.

I soon realized that I am not superman and should run smart. After all if I do a great deal of damage to my feet it's not just the running that will suffer. So, I did some research ( you have to love the Internet) and found that I am experiencing Inflammation of the extensor tendons. All the symptoms and possible causes matched my experience.

So because I really want to keep running I have a plan of action:

1. Stretch properly before and after the run
2. Don't tie shoes tight
3. Get appropriate foot padding
4. Stretch and apply ice after the run
5. Chose a more flat route to run because hills are what started the pain.

I'll try this plan of action and see if there is any improvement. I plan on running at least five miles tomorrow so we'll see how it goes.

Good Run Today

So, for my lunch break today I ran a little over 5 miles through Rock Creek Park. The scenery was beautiful with all the fall foliage and the the soft trail was great on my knees and joints.

I felt great after the run and for as long as the weather permits I'm going to try and run during my lunch break.

Track My runs

Ok so I was fooling around on the Nike+IPod site and found this cool widget that allows me to share my progress with all of you. What a world we live in! So this is just another way to keep me honest, not that I have a problem with honesty, but knowing I am being observed will keep me motivated to run.

If you look to the left of the page you can see my runs, the dates distance and time.

There is no time like NOW!

Yesterday was a beautiful day to run. It was about 60 degrees outside and I got in a good 3 mile run around 4:30. I'm glad I got because today is rainy and the temperature will go down about 20 degrees by the afternoon.

I mentioned earlier that I would link to the Niki+IPod site so you all could see my progress. Well I don't think it's that easy so you'll just have to take my word for it. I have to say that I really love that site and for $30.00 dollars it was probably one of the best investments I could have made for my running regiment. I can draw out map routes, set goals, challenge others and myself. If you are a runner and use an IPod I would really recommend getting it.

Now again I didn't purchase the Nike Shoe. I simply put the chip in a small pouch and laced it into my shoe strings. It stays secure and when I get a new pair of running shoes I will be free to get any brand I want.

Soon I'll have to take my running on to the treadmill because of the colder weather. I still would much rather run outside though. We'll see what happens I generally like to train hard but I don't like cold weather much. At any rate there is always spin class.

Run Forest Run!

I am trying to get out and some running in. It's been tough because my schedule has a little busier than usual. After I write this post I'm going to try and run a three mile loop. I'll let you know how it goes.

Blogging keeps me honest

So I debated over and over again on if I would get out and do my long run today. Part of what made it hard was the weather. I don't like running in cold weather and I suppose no one really does. The thing is that it wasn't that cold but cold enough to make me want to stay in my warm bed.

But seeing as I posted that I would (though it was probably not even read by anyone) I felt I needed to keep to my word. That's a new thing I am really working on by the way; if I tell myself I am going to do something I do it or I try not to say I am going to do it all. I am trying to get out of the habit of lying to myself.

So I got out with my new Nike+IPod and it was great! Nice to hear the distance called out and told when I reached my goal. Today I set my goal for five miles. I ran the five but I was in a bit of dilemma. When the voice came on and told me I was at the half way point I should have turned around and headed back home. Instead I kept running out, further and further away from home. When I reached the five mile goal I was now five miles from home and figured what the heck, I might as well run back. So with each mile over my five mile goal the voice on the IPod said "mile six you are one mile over your goal of five miles." Hearing that did something to me and I didn't stop until I hit ten miles.

This was quite a milestone for me and one that came with a price because I could hardly walk after the run. My left knee was in so much pain it hurt just thinking about it. It's much better now. I had to do it though. I had to push. These runs especially the hard ones are eliminating any tendency I have to give up. Quiting has long since stopped being an option with me which is quite an accomplishment because I generally give up on things pretty easy. I also think that for me running is such a powerful tool to build the virtue of perseverance because I have always had issues with it. I have never enjoyed running so to push through and reach these milestones is nothing short of transforming.

I hope I can get back out by Tuesday, but that depends on how the knee is doing. If not I'll get to the spin class at the gym. Hey, keep my lady friend in your thoughts. She fell in a restaurant and sprained her knee a couple of weeks ago. She wants to get back out and run and can't so she gets down sometimes.

Thanks for reading.

Oh, I'll put up a link on the blog where you can track my training online via Nike+IPod.

Training Aids and Raising Funds

I got the Nike+Ipod thingie today. It's a little chip that goes in the bottom of the Nike Shoe (or in my case my sock since I don't own the shoes) and it relays distance, time, calories burned etc. back to my IPod. I am excited to try it out and start tracking my progress. Apparently there are a lot of neat features. I'll keep you all posted on how it's working out. I'm going on a long run tomorrow so I am anxious to try out the technology and talk about it.

I am exploring some fund raising options and I should know in a week or so if they pan out... If any one out there would like to throw in their two cents on some fund raising tips or even like to help out I am all ears. You can read about CRSF in the November 5th post. Just scroll down to the blog archives section on the right side of the page. Also you can now subscribe to this blog via email. You'll get notification when there is a new post.

May you be well, happy and peaceful!

A way to donate money to CRSF that doesn't cost you anything

I hate promoting this plan like this because it sounds too much like a cheap gimmick. Being one who hates fine print and slick advertising believe me when I say this is exactly what I say it is.

Many of you may have heard of ING Direct www.ingdirect.com. ING is an online bank that offers high interest savings and checking accounts. I have been a member of ING since 2003 and earn a 4.2%interest rate on my savings account. Once I found out ING offered checking accounts I made them my primary bank and I have never had one single problem with them, they are great.

At any rate, if I refer a friend to ING and they open a savings account with a minimum amount of $250.00, ING will deposit $25.00 in their account and give me $10.00. I have set up a separate savings account where I deposit any denotations to CRSF. The money earns interest for the charity and it's great because every little bit helps. This is simply ING's referral program and I'm just using the money they would give me for CRSF.

Now $10.00 may not sound like much but every little bit helps. It is also a great way to save money and setting up the account and accessing your savings is simple. This is really a benefit for all of you with a side benefit to CRSF.

That being said I said all that to say if you are interested it only works if I send you an email directly. So send me an email to runningforcrsf@gmail.com and I'll send you an invite to open an account.

Thanks for all your support and if you want to get more info about CRSF click on the November 5th post.

May you be well, happy, and peaceful!

I got it in!

Okay, so I told myself I would make up the run I missed this Sunday on Monday. And against all odds I got out and did it. I took off on the run about 3:45 P.M. and ran for about an hour. I was able to get a good run in and took a new route.

Aside from my burning lungs and the unbearable pain in my left knee I felt great. I don't particularly like running in cool weather although I don't sweat as much. At any rate it was a great run and I am happy I got it done although I did get some brutal hills, which I love to take on.

I acutally had a totally different idea for this post. My run was actually increadible and I wanted to talk about the route in detail but I'm kind of out of it so perhaps I'll write about it retroactive.

May you be well, happy, and peaceful!

Lazy Bones!

I didn't run today. Didn't feel too well but I kind of regret not going anyway. I'm going to try and leave work around 3:45 and go run through Rock Creek Park in D.C.

We'll see what happens. Human experience; heck my own experience tells me that when I don't do something and offer some conscience appeasing alternative I more than likely will not do it. Nothing is easier than lying to myself. That being said I hope the fact that I am writing this will give me some motivation to get out there.

We'll see tomorrow!

More Info to come

Hello friends,

I am working on getting some detailed information up about CRSF. I am formatting everything now and plan to have it up in the next couple of days.

I'll be going out on a long run tomorrow trying to go 7-8 miles. If I'm not in the emergency room I'll write about it! :)

Thanks for all your support!

MYBWH&P!
May You Be Well Happy and Peaceful!