Pushing the Envelope

Since in the past 2 years I've visited at least 6 different types of docs for running wear-and-tear advice, I've got a lot of scattered info to piece into my repertoire. I totally believe that I need to be as in-tune with my body as humanly possible to work through the issues that come with high mileages and old injuries. Intuition is a great healer, but listening to the gut is a whole different challenge.



Back in June after my MRI found bilateral tears in my posterior tibialis I kind of freaked out. Dr. Warren Scott in Soquel was my doc and he assured me that by Nobember 2008 I'd be running an hour. No that doesn't sound like much - but back in June I couldn't run for my life if I had to. Seriously. So needless to say, an hour seemed rather optomistic. But knowing his reputation I followed his plan (and some of my own). Now I'm up to running 90 minutes 3-4 times per week at a pretty good clip. His training plan, a new set of custom orthotics made by Jeff Gray of Superfeet (and Northwest Podiatric Labs), and my patience got me here. Life is short, but it's worth it to take time to get better so you can do what you love for a long time.



That said, this week I started on Moday with a 5:15 am run with Nicole Duke. We did 9 miles on the Nisene fireroad and ran (probably) a bit too fast (1:07). Tuesday I met up with staffer Sean McMasters and ran conservatively from Porter Picnic area, up west ridge, down the trail connector, then out via Hoffman's historic site and the back end of bridge creek trail to the fire road. Not sure of the distance but it took us 1:23. Today Nicole and I met up again and did a casual 55 minutes (6 miles) up the fire road again. She's running the North Face Endurance Challenge this weekend so we took it easy. Great runs. Great scenery. Great conversation. This is why I do what I do.



A few days off to let the body heal then back to the trail. I miss it already.

Managing the hurt

The past few long days at the store (Black Friday and all that comes with it) are taking a toll on my foot. I have a tendency to think too much about it anyhow but fatigue is the one factor that makes it hurt pretty consistently. Less than 8 hours of total sleep over the past 2 nights is making it hurt a bit. Gotta get some rest. I've also found that regularly using "The Stick" and a massage ball on my foot brings it back to normal.

Planning to run Sunday for 80-90 minutes up in Nisene. Slow and easy. But of course that'll depend on the sleep situation tonight.

Getting Back Out There

Back in September I figured my blogging would be daily. Obviously this wasn't the case. Nonetheless, I've progressed a ton since then. 6 months ago I could barely walk to the car after a 30-minute run. Now I'm up to 90-minutes 4x/week and feeling good. I run at least once per week with my staff. We typically do a lot of climbing in Nisene Marks to the tune of about 5-6 miles per hour. Today I started running very early in the morning with Nicole Duke. Be on the lookout for her in the future. She's totally kicking butt!

My foot still gives me minor problems but with some TLC before and after a run it's rather manageable. Ultimately I'm still planning to train for and gut out a few 12-hour runs of my own in the spring with the goal being to open this up to the public so we can all get torn up together. The "12-hours in Aptos" monthly series is set to start in June. Join me won't you!

Looking down the road I hope to get a couple 100's in this year (2009). Rio Del Lago most likely, then another after that to be determined. I'd like to put in for Badwater in 2010 assuming I'm healthy and running well. No sense signing up for a suffer-fest unless the body is ready for a pounding.

On a business note, the store is doing pretty well this month all things considered. It's very easy to get caught up in recession-talk and start freaking out about the months to come. I figure if we take it a day at a time and provide kick-butt service to any and all who come in the door, we'll be doing the best we can under the circumstances. Keeping close tabs on inventory, training, scheduling, and our service level is my main focus right now. Recessions come and go. We'll end up on our feet I'm sure.

That said, make sure you stop by for our Black Friday indoor sidewalk sale on 11/28. We've extended our hours from 8-8 and we'll be serving a FREE pancake breakfast to all who come between 8-10am. No frills, just some good eats to get the belly warmed up for a long day of shopping. Come see us!

Signing off for now.

tom

TODAY: 1:14 in Nisene (fire road) with Nicole Duke 5:15 am

Only 3 Times a Week?

Back in Spring of 2007 while I was training for Western States, I (apparently) tore my right posterior tib tendon and figured out ways to still run while in a tremendous amount of pain. My States finish was fine and I think it was my "recovery" (aka sitting on my ass for 3 months) that killed me. Six months later I injured the left side in the same manner. Bilateral posterior tibial tears. No shit.

The past 9 months have been frustrating with running and all. I'd go out for a few miles and have to take the next week off to repair the damage. It's been ridiculous. Only in the past few weeks have I found a method of rehab that works for me. Three times a week, no more than 30-40 minutes per run no matter how I feel. All trail miles. All at an easy pace. The feet seem to be responding well and I feel like I've finally taken that first step back on the ladder. But certainly this will be a slow climb.

I'm waiting for my friend Jon to get here for a 30-minute (duh) run into Nisene Marks. He's stuck in traffic and I'm actually doing a blog entry. Maybe we're getting somewhere here.

I'm finally doing this

Starting this has been a long time coming. Let's see if I actually stick with it.