Injuries, Body weight, Wales again in fall

Well I'm still churning it out on the trainer. I guess it fills a hole for now. I did however get out yesterday for a run. I was feeling alright in the leg department and figured I'd give it a go. I made it about 3 miles with no pain in my knee which is a start. I went real easy on it, 8 minute miles, and although I just said "no pain" being worried about it made me think so it did feel weird, if that makes sense. Hopefully all the calisthenics I'm doing are helping as are all the stretches etc.

Speaking of calisthenics I've been stoked on the Convict Conditioning book I got for Christmas. Despite the kind of weird "bad ass" kind of cover and wording on the front of the book it kicks ass! All body weight exercises with the main exercises being basically push ups, pull ups, back bridges, hanging leg lifts, handstand push ups, and squats. Each exercise has a ten step progression that increases in difficulty with an ultimate goal of the very difficult version; for example one arm handstand push ups in the handstand progression beginning with headstands. The cool thing is that the most basic, or first in each progression is just that, basic and very easy. The program is meant to build on each version increasing strength and flexibility. It takes very few reps and you can do it anywhere. Even after a few weeks of going through the motions I've noticed a difference in my strength. The best thing is that even though you are putting on muscle you are not putting on size, great for an endurance athlete. Also it's functional movements in natural body positions versus lifting weights which can put you in unnatural positions possibly resulting in injury. Pretty cool.

So last night at 00:01 on February 1st the registration for the Beacons Ultra went live (they've updated the website, check it out). Since the race filled last year in 24 hours I was up first thing today and registered. The race isn't until November but I had such fun this year I wanted to do it again. It will be nice to run a course I know and with it being a long ways off I should be back running by then. It's also nearby, about 1:45 drive, so maybe I can get the wife out to watch for once. She could always visit her sister on the south coast of Wales and then drive up for the second half of the race. I know it's lame if you are not "into" racing to hang out waiting for finish, especially for a race that takes over 6 hours, but it would be fun to have her and the little one there. The other down side for spectating is that this is in Wales, in November. Despite having nice weather this past fall the area is notorious for shitty weather. We're talking upper 30's and rain. No fun!

Well at least one long range goal in the works.        

I'm not sure how long I'll give this until I try running again. It REALLY bums me out not getting outside. Started spinning on the trainer almost everyday with a hard workout every three. Luckily the bike doesn't bother my leg/knee however the roller has been for some reason, not sure if that's good or bad. I've been thinking about setting up my mountain bike for night riding to get out early mornings just for some fresh air but have yet to do so. Getting "geared up" for going out for a ride is so time consuming though, considering that the trainer is FAR more efficient. If the weather was better I'd take the little one out in the bike trailer but for now probably best to avoid that due to the ice and snow everywhere!  

Back in the UK, injured

Well I've been back here in the UK for about a week now and have yet to get back into a routine mainly because of the little one. First I thought it was jet lag, then her final canine tooth, but not really sure. Last night was my first full night of sleep for quite some time which was nice.

However my normal early morning routine hasn't been working since the little one has decided to stay up late and sleep in, thus I've been too tired to get up! I have been running as my IT band allows me ( up to a staggering 4 miles!) and then hitting my wind trainer which has been a life saver. Today I got on the treadmill while the little one slept, I made it a mile before 1. she woke up and 2. surprisingly my knee started up! So I think the little one's actions that have not been allowing me to run are for good reason, she knows I need to give my knee a break. I've been doing all sorts of body weight exercises, stretching, rolling, etc. to strengthen any weaknesses and ease the pain. Still unsure of where this ITB issue arose from.

The few short runs I've been on have been great and I want MORE. Really psyched on the Brooks Pure Grit shoes I've been running in and want some Pure Floats, too bad I get shut down after a few miles. I'm actually kind of worried about the 50 miler I'm signed up for in April, with these injuries I'm kind of running out of time for training.

Well, I'll try to keep up on the fitness with the bike and hope for the best soon.

MN

Well we've been in Minnesota for over a week now and it's been a great visit. Snow and cold has been welcome, I miss it a lot. The wife being from the UK loves it as well.

IT band still acting up but luckily we're in ski country so I've been nordic skiing more which is my favorite sport in the friggin' world. Too bad the UK sucks for nordic skiing. I was hoping to fit in my foam roller for the IT band but there was no way it was coming along and of course with all the activity here stretching has been put on the sidelines as well. Maybe some time off the feet running will help. The other knee seems to be ok since I haven't really felt it lately so we shall see. What's with this scourge of knee issues lately? Hope they go away by the time we return to the UK.

more frozen beard

It's been damn cold a couple mornings so I've been thankful for my beard! The temps have made for excellent fast ski conditions. Wish I had my race classic skis still, the waxing conditions in the cold are perfect now! The fish scales have sufficed though and the skating excellent as always.

Been doing a lot of body weight exercises too based around the Convict Conditioning ideas as well as Al Kavadlo's "Raising The Bar". Both kick ass books. I may touch on that more later but check them out! There really is no need to go to the gym to get some great benefits.

As with any holiday season the eating and drinking has been elevated. I'm not sure if it's affected me at all but whatever. You've got to have fun when the opportunity arises. I miss the bar food over here in the US, the UK just doesn't come close to the offerings here!

So just a brief update. Having a ton of fun over here will be sad to go as always!