Recovered.

Last week I managed an 8 miler, with five hill repeats, pushing the Chariot! Very pleased with this workout! I found a quarter mile long hill on the Wyre Forest and figured why not? Kind of a fun experiment, legs were on fire but it was tough to get my heart rate up. 

So I'm very happy with my hernia recovery. The surgeon said I'd be back to normal by mid June. I'd say it took me four weeks. I'm doing 40 mile weeks now with more speed workouts than I'd done in the past. So hopefully I can stay injury free and get faster. I signed up for the Wyre Forest Half, which I've done before, which will be the test run. It's in mid-July and I'm very much looking forward to it. 

A week ago I made it out to the River Severn for sunset. Nice progressive 13 miler. It's so good to be going again! 

Outside is good!

After a stint of really being down about a lot of things I've snapped out of it and am back to normal. No idea where it came from or what you'd call it but whether I was tired or depressed I don't know but damn I felt like shit. 

So what got me out of this mental slump? Running and being outside! I used to spend all my time outside now that time is significantly less. However with my son being a bit older now and daughter being away three days a week an opportunity arose. 

So I loaded the car with the Chariot running stroller the night before, I'm not a jogger hence the use of "running" not "jogging". Then in the morning got my running stuff organized, loaded the kids, and dropped my daughter off at nursery. Then headed to the Wyre Forest! 

The Wyre has quite a few fire roads which are perfect for the stroller, sure some are muddy and potholed but nothing my son, the stroller, or I can't handle! 

Fortunately my son's feeds lined up well and I have been able to run with him on the Wyre Forest during the day without stopping! New scenery, new terrain, and a great training partner (even if he does sleep!). 

Yesterday I did a test run and got in 5.5 miles. I accepted the fact I may have to stop to feed and today knocked out 8.5 miles! It was awesome and my positivity has returned! I even banged out a solid pace pushing the stroller! 

So I'm back at it with more running options since my mornings are still unavailable! 

I am psyched! 

Fast pace is more fun than base

Lately I've tossed base mileage out the window and have been running at a faster pace if I feel like it. I figure I've been doing base for three years, time to go fast. Maybe it's because the music I sometimes listen to is faster paced to say the least! 

It's been a good thing though; it clears my mind for better things. I'd missed that moment where your sinuses all of a sudden clear and a faint taste of blood and bile touches your taste buds, your heart is thumping but you know you have more. Going fast is good. 

I also proved that the standard equation for max heart rate isn't always accurate. 220 - my age doesn't equal 192! And I still had another gear to go! 

Running is glorious. 

Many times when I run, or on the rare occasion I dream, I have visions of running across the finish of Western States with my daughter in my arms. The final quarter mile is a lap around the track in Auburn, CA. She smiles the whole time, her hair bouncing in the breeze. She crosses the finish with me. 

Who knows if that will ever happen. But it always cheers me up and gives me hope that the things I've always wanted to do can happen. I just need to stay positive and make them happen. 

Day 16 - the streak is dead

I guess I spoke too soon. Day 16 ends in 1:15 minutes. Yeah, I could put my running stuff on, it's sitting in front of me, and head out for an easy 3 miles to keep my streak going. But, without the support of those closest to me it looks like it will end tonight. 

No big deal really, it's not like I'm on day 100 or anything. I could most likely use the day off anyway. It just disappoints me. 

So I sit here drinking a beer thinking, I haven't had a beer in months! It makes me wonder what people would think if I drank instead of ran? I bet it would be acceptable. It would be ok and normal to piss money away and ruin my health! 

I love being a fucking weirdo! I drink very very rarely. I exercise excessively, well to some. I eat extremely healthy. I'm at the point now where I don't give a shit what people think. Laugh at my short shorts. My odd food substitutions. Yeah I am going to eat this whole fucking bag of spinach! Are you going to eat that whole fucking tube of Pringles? Well I hope you enjoy it because they're damn tasty! I'm not judging you, why judge me? Anyway....

On a positive note I had a killer JKD session tonight. Intense to say the least. I'd love to wear my heart rate monitor. Fast Jun Fan and Muay Thai boxing drills. It's damn hard work! 

It's so nice to be surrounded by such positive and encouraging people for two nights a week. People excited to help and see each other improve. It's such a great environment. When my daughter turns four I'll be sure to have her involved in the kids program. 

So my beer is gone I'm off to bed having vented. Realized the positives and moved on from the negatives. Can't wait to run tomorrow!

Day 16

Today when I run I'll be on day 16 in a row. Motivation is high and I'm feeling pretty good. My heart rate to pace ratio is getting better finally and it good to be going quicker.

End of cloud bank over Stourport Basins

Night running is going well other than photography sucks! I don't have the gear to take good quick night photos. Quick since I'm out for a run, not to take photos. They're usually a bonus! 

Walkway from canal towpath up to the Black Star Pub, Stourport 

I'm bouncing back with my calisthenics too. I just need to figure out a routine. Greasing the groove all day seems to be neat right now. 

I think I'll sign up for the Wyre Forest Half which is in July. Fun race I've done a few times before. I've got enough time to train and do well. 

Off to Taunton Somerset tomorrow for the weekend so hopefully get some daylight running in.

Day 11 streak?

Day 11. It's going well to say the least. The mental hole I'd been in I'm climbing out of. Physically I feel well despite a little tightness in my left hamstring and glute. 

Listened to music last night for my longest run yet, 7 miles, and it was refreshing. I used to listen to music all the time and now I remember how good it is and how happy it make me. As much as I prefer to run without I may try to use this time for music more.

Started to use my time more wisely during the day fitting in sporadic stretching and some body weight work too. I've lost a lot of strength, especially in the pull up arena but I think it will return soon. Have yet to try hand stand push ups but hand stands are fine, free standing headstands are solid too. 

Running at night still as the littlest one is still occupying my morning run time. It has been light out though but with that brings people, usually people I'd rather not encounter. I saw in the news this morning another car was dumped and burnt out on Oldington Lane where I saw the van burning previously. Another downside of night running is it takes up family time, mainly wife time as I run after the kids are asleep. Mornings no one knows I've been out even. Last night I got the "are you running every day?" Well, as of now yes. 

Day 11? Why not try streaking for the month of April? It builds fitness and makes me realize I do have time, "I don't have time" isn't an excuse. It also gets me to operate tired and keep a smile on, stay positive, realize that I'm grumpy and turn that state of mind around.

On we go.

Discharged

So yesterday I went in to see the surgeon who performed my surgery. Quick in and out! He asked about my initial mobility, pain killer use, and in general how I felt immediately post surgery. 

There is still a fairly solid "ridge" underneath my skin at the incision site which is normal and will reduce over time. It does mess with the fit of my jeans a bit which is annoying! 

I was fairly pain free until the other night. I pushed it a bit harder at JKD and am feeling it in my core three days later. Not sure what exactly did it; push ups, sit-ups, maybe the initial Jun Fan boxing drills? No matter what it was I need to be aware and still use caution. 

The doctor said that it's as strong as it will ever be but still may cause some discomfort. I think running will be fine as of now but any core use will need to be done with caution as I found out on Monday.

Now begins the juggling act of making time to run. I think for now it will be night time again until the kid's sleeping becomes more routine. At least I'm looking at short runs I guess!