I jogged 800m very slowly but my knee started to hurt so I slowed to a walk. The walking was comfortable. Still no running, but I think things are going to get better, and I'll be running again soon.

I walked 3 miles around the track yesterday in Vibrams with no pain. I walked a mile today with no pain, then jogged slowly for 400 meters but I felt some discomfort in my knee so I stopped before the pain started.

I started to go for a run today, but my knee was bothering me in the first 400m so I stopped. Not sure what's up with it, but I'll give it another shot tomorrow. I think I'm going to stop wearing shoes...

3 miles, track
8:14, 8:04, 7:54

Like I mentioned in my last post, my knee started to hurt at the end of my run on Sunday. On Sunday night and Monday my knee would lock in random positions and there was some acute pain at times. The pain went away yesterday evening. I didn't want to do anything too strenuous today, in fear that I would make it worse, but it was feeling better so I wanted to try and run on it. I did feel some discomfort, but it wasn't nearly as bad as Sunday and it didn't prohibit me from running. It was more a feeling of unstableness than pain. Last time I went to the sports doc for knee pain (my other knee) He told me it was probably caused by weak quads, so I also did some leg presses and extensions. Hopefully this wont turn into another injury.

10 miles, trails, 1:52

I ran 10 miles with Adam this afternoon out at Mt. Airy. He was running 30 and called me to see if I would come run a couple loops with him. It went pretty well, but my left knee started hurting the last 2 miles.

34:02, roads, approx. 4 miles, approx. 8:00 pace

I moved up to a 4 mile run tonight. I went to a friends house and we ran around the neighbor hood. I don't know exact distance or pace but I think it was around 4 miles. I felt good. It was nice to have someone to run with.

2 miles, track

7:14
6:33

It was perfect weather for a run tonight. Still taking it easy, only a 2 mile run. I was pushing a decent amount on the second mile, which tells me I'm definitely out of shape, but I already knew that. More importantly I feel healthy, and feel like I'm ready to start real training very soon.

2 miles, track, 7:56, 7:37

It was raining big ol' fat rain drops tonight and the wind was howling. I had my eyes closed most of the time and I think I was drooling. The run felt good. My calves are a little sore from the fore-foot landing, but they will get stronger. My leg continues to improve.

2 miles, track

7:43
7:04

Two days in a row, wohoo! the leg felt a little sore when I woke up this morning but it loosened up pretty quick. I felt really good running tonight. Probably the best I've felt since LCFB in February. I thought about running further, but I figure I've gone months with hardly any miles so a little more time with low mileage to make sure I've got the problem fixed wont hurt me. My fore-foot strike is coming along nicely, it feels natural. It will take a little while for my calves to strengthen enough to be able to make the full switch, but I'm on the right track. I just hope I feel this good in the morning. Three runs in row? that would be something else.

2 miles, track, 8:51, 7:51

My leg was pretty sore on Monday after my 5 mile run on Sunday so I'm going to have to take things slower than planned, but at least I am running! I'm going to run low slow mileage until I can run consecutive days without pain in my leg, then I will commence some real training.

5.55 miles, 9:28 pace

Did 5.5 easy miles today on some hilly roads. It felt pretty good. The tendons in my leg are still a little sore, but I think I'm finally ready to get back to daily training. I'm going to take it slow this week and see how it goes before starting any kind of training program. I can't wait to get back in racing shape! I still have big plans for this year.

I'm feeling pretty good today. My calves are still sore, but I'm able to walk normal. The marathon didn't make my leg injury much worse so I should be able to start an actual training routine by the end of the week! No more races until I get back in shape!

Flying Pig Marathon Race Report

I'll begin by saying that I was in no shape to run a marathon today, but it went OK for a while. I didn't start off that fast, but faster than I should have for zero training (haven't run since McNaughton.) I blew up big time after mile 19 and walked most of the way in. Regardless, it was a great run!

The 2006 Flying pig was my first race and this year was pig number 3. I really enjoy this marathon. It's my hometown course, and the fans and entertainment are a lot of fun. Going into the race I knew I wasn't trained so I decided on a finishing goal of 3:59. The plan was to run 9:30's for the first half and 8:50's the second half...yeah right. I started off running most of my miles up until mile 19 around 8:45-9:00 but times varied widely with the crowds early on, and the hills in miles 6-9. At mile 10 I was already feeling pretty bad. My leg injury was starting to hurt a little and my legs were already pretty tired. I ran the first 17 miles with a fore-foot strike, to avoid the pain in my leg, but after mile 17 my calves were too tight and tired so I had to switch back to heal striking. My leg didn't bother me too much during the run, although it's pretty sore now.

Right in the middle of mile 19 and 20 I knew I was finished. At first I started walking with the idea that I would start running again as the 4 hour pace group approached. About 5 minutes later I watched the balloons come, and then go. I really didn't care about 4 hours anymore, not enough to start running again, lol. I alternated between half mile walking and half mile slow jog until mile 25 where I jogged it in. My final time was 4:25:29, I made sure it was faster than my first pig (4:26.) I'm not bummed about my finishing time. I didn't train and the Pig bit me in the ass. That's how it goes. I had a great time out on the course, and can't wait until next year!