Getting 2013 into motion

On the Road Again....

         Well after finishing 2012 on the "wrong foot" I am now getting focused on getting back on the "right foot." Took some time to rest, gather ideas, surf the web and talk to friends in the running community. After having my calves worked on by two different individuals it was determined I have the "worst" calves ever seen. What has happened is that the calf muscle has knotted up with another muscle that is pulling on my Achilles. So all the tension is causing the discomfort in my Achilles again. As you can see all those muscles are connected and without having the right people check it is hard to find the source of the problem.  I allowed this to happen on a daily basis for over five years. Each morning I got up and walked around with discomfort. Then eventually it broke me down during the Javelina Jundred at mile 78.

     Also during my downtime of running I have been filling my time with books, magazines and some movies.  I did find one new running book that really inspired me to get signed up for a race once healthy. It's called "The Longest Race" and is about a guy returning to run the JFK and beat the age record time.  Throughout the book he inner twines life into each mile of the race.  

One speed...As fast as I can pedal!! Note only one brake too.

  


     With that knowledge in hand I am now able to focus on working out the knots twice a day in my calves. Additionally, I got a fixie bike, basically it is a single speed that the pedals always turn when the wheels turn, so I can cross train without putting to much strain on my calves.  I feel the quads getting a nice workout while I attack the hills on my commuting around town.

Morning hike with the move still out

     By February 1st I plan to start my running plan and taking in the gorgeous views of the mountains around me. Building the base for the first several weeks, then a period of longer endurance runs and closing it out with some intense weeks.  I have done one hike this year on a local trail and got a few pictures. I will be mixing it up on the track, road and trails so that I work the muscles in different ways while trying to avoid another big knot.



      We for now it is time to sign off and work on my calves. Best wishes to everyone running this weekend and every day. Be sure to be proactive so that you don't get setbacks like what I have been going through for the past couple of months.

So many choices which way should I go??

2012 What's it all about?

     Well 2012 didn't go as planned is an understatement. After having a successful 2011 it leaves curiosities in my mind. The beginning of the year started on track with some short road races in the snow/cold. Set a 4 mile personal record and had multiple podium finishes.

     Then I began training with a coach, Aimee Cinzori. She modified my diet and added muscle to me. During that period I threw down three 50k races in April and set a personal record in that distance. This was all part of the building process for my 40th birthday party at the Massanutten 100 mile. Going against the adage of don't try something new on race day I applied a different lotion to my feet and at 70 miles in the race I dropped.

     Summer came I played in Virginia Beach with the family. Attended my imaginary summer camp to build up for another atttempt at a 100 mile buckle. At the end of summer I was feeling strong and took on Angeles Crest 100 Mile. Using the same lotion I dropped at 51 miles. Then problem solving the why of the lotion I learned it was for post race not during the race. I had been causing blisters not preventing. A few weeks later I took on a 50 Mile race and achieved a new personal record.

     Fall arrived and so did the final races of the year. Paced some friends in a hundred miler, set a personal record in a 100k, paced a group in the Detroit Marathon then attempted my final 100 mile run of the year. Breaking down at mile 78 from excessive achilles pain. I settled on the 100k finish and closed out my year on a dissapointing injury.

     All of the last two months I rested my legs and hoped for a healthily recovery. Nothing changed by year end. So now I am building a plan to comeback strong in 2013.

Here is a breakdown of the 2012 goals:
1. Run six ultras YES
    Moab 55km, Winona 50km, Fools 50km, Tie Dye 50km, Wild West 50km, North Country 50mile, Top of Michigan 100km and Javelina 100km.

2. Run the mile under 4:50 NO
     Never tried because of injury

3. Set two personal records YES
     Winona 50km 4:36:43
     Leap Year 4 mile 25:10
     NC50 mile 9:49:46
     TOM 100km 12:46:59

4. Pace/crew two events YES
    Paced Hallucination 100 mile
    Paced Detroit Marathon 4:4000

5. Volunteer at one event YES
     Co-hosted 4 cross country style events

Now the 2013 goals:
1. Run in four ultras
2. Set one personal record
3. Volunteer at two events
4. Crew/pace at two events
5. Run something personally eventful

By cross training through yoga, biking, surfing and more I should be running strong in the second half of 2013!

Now for a few meaningful awards:

Unstoppable Award - Matt A.
Comeback Award - Keith K.
Sidekick Award - Erin C.
Sherpa Award - Lucille R aka mom

For now I wanted to get this posted and will had some more content in various spots. In addition, I have about a dozen photos that capture the year.