Holla!!!!!!!!!!!

What a great night for a run -- man alive -- we set out  ( the children on their bikes and I on my feet ) to visit a few parks and then we were going to go an get them some ice cream. We made it to one park and on the way to the next after the ice cream and ran into ( almost literally ) our dearest friend Tom OL. He reminded us that there was track workout tonight down at the track. So, we decided, we'd go down there.

Got down there, with a nice warm up, and decided to do another mile of warm up with the guys and then onward to tempo, or sort of, speed and then a mile of cool down on our way home.

BAM -- another 5 miler night :O)

The body is feeling GREAT and the foot is good as gold!! I have orthotics molded an also ordered....as soon as those come in I hope I am more then ready to hit the speed work outs.

I am going to up my miles and get at it -- for all my races are upcoming. Actually, one is this Sunday !!!

How exciting -- my times are not as near as horrible as I thought they would be after a good rest and that makes this runner superbly HAPPY!!

Onward and Upward -- keep BELIEVING!!

Not as disappointed as I had planned

Tonight I was able to run 5 miles, by myself and in any given amount I wanted. So, I decided to just go with it and try some hills and some faster paces, yet not over doing it.

Ran it in under 50 min, so that was pretty amazing for me - since I was out these last few weeks and this is only the beginning of all the training upcoming in '12!!

I did do something I wish I hadn't -- wore cotton socks -- DOOOH!! I know have a very large blister on the BOTTOM of my foot -- oh well...calis and an asset in time :O) Turn it into a good thing!!

ONWARD -- BAM POW!! I am ready !!

Runinng in Shorts, yeah baby!!

Who would have thought that on March 12th, 2012 we would have been out trucking along in shorts on our run in the afternoon hours ?? Oh jeezzz -- who knows on that one, but we were !!

Angie and I headed out for a short jaunt ( 6 miler ) and some long over needed friend time...sometimes when I do not run with some of my friends, I forget what I am missing. Man, it was great to run with her and 'catch up'. We also added a dog to our friendly run, he figured he'd join us that last 3 miles...went to take him home and he was gone. I do hope he found his way home or that his owners are not out looking for him as I write this !!!

I am feeling much better out there, but still not so happy with myself, for I know that I am getting back into things and that it is going to take time. But man oh man, do I beat up on myself !! UGH!!! Oh well, this too shall pass and I will be right back at the game -- doesn't take long to come back, its that 'time' in between that I really dislike!!

Tomorrow I will head out over noon hour and hit up another 3 miler and some core workout tomorrow evening when I return home. Time to push it to the grind once again ... strange, once I am off kilter, I just have a hard time getting back into it. Oh -- you two ?? Splendid, then I am NOT alone !! How great that feels!! I am super happy that we are human that we are not prone to staying at one thing ALL the time!!

Till Tomorrow my dearest readers .... onward and upward!!

Ran a route for the upocming 5K

Today we took advantage of the beautiful weather outside and ran around one of the high schools to prepare for a race that is coming up in April that I am directing. Needed a new route, so we decided, we would run it. It was less miles than I thought it would add up to be, but it was definetly a great time had by all and also we found a new way to run the route. Excited about that ...

Not much else to report other then I am ready to run MORE -- hopefully on Wednesday I am off restrictions and allowed to start the 'real' training.

Until next time my fellow runners !!

Onward and Upward!!

Sponsored

The deal is signed and I am not officially re-sponsored by MARATHON !!!!

Now to begin the real training regimen. It's time to begin to think of how, when and what times I am going to start putting in the hours of training that this year will need to create the strength and endurance needed to run 19 more races.

Tomorrow I shall begin doubling up on cardio -- I am going to bike for a half an hour and then run 4 to 5 miles. I need to begin more cardio as I am on restrictions from running at this point. I am hoping that in April, I am free to run like the wind !!!

There is a race next weekend, the HUMAN RACE and I plan on running it and doing the best I am able to from what training I have had, which is not what I would like to have had before a race, yet, it will be run to the best of my ability.

Time for some rest before tomorrow arrives so that I am able to get my training on.

ONward and UPward!!

Running with Friends

Today I was able to run with Jim Parry!! He is running from 5AM to 9PM to raise funds to support the grants that are given to the children who are not able to afford the YMCA. It was very nice to be able to run next to him and also chat about our upcoming adventures. Of course, he will need more support as the day goes on, for the dreadmill is horrifying to any runner, yet, he is doing it !!! GO JIM!!

Yesterday was a hard workout with Sherry !! OOFTA !! That's the second workout with her this week. Thought I would ask for another workout, since I am down in my mileage this week due to the foot. Wanted to get in some great workouts so that next week, I am able to beef up the workouts an miles :O) Gotta get ready for 2012 ------>>>> I am NOW Re-Sponsored by MARATHON Bars!!!! <<<--------------------

Man am I PUMPED to be reupped !! HOW exciting and yet, now comes the hard work and also the training...need to make sure to stay STRONG and HEALTHY!!!! 20 races, will not be simple to train for and complete if not!!

I was also given another opportunity today that was presented to me and I am seriously considering this one. I will add to my schedule with this one, yet, I am not sure that I am able to pass this one up. More to come on that one.

I tell ya, if you do not dream it, believe it or put the work forth to gain it, it will never come !!!! HOW amazing life is if you allow it to be.... OPEN The universe, WORK on you and BELIEVE in yourself !!! Watch the world open up to you !!!

ONWARD and UPWARD!!!!!

Wow'zers I am feeling the fire !!

Man do I feel alive !!!!

I have not been updating due to the fact that I had an inflammation under my right big toe and I was not running. Not that I was only feeling the pain from that I was also not feeling the 'bug' of running/exercise or anything. Pretty much down and out. Obviously, my body needed a break. So -- something went haywire and I had to get things checked out.

I went into a foot doc and I was told and confirmed I had : Sesamoiditis ( http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?topic=A00164 ). Here is a brief picture of what it looks like on an X-ray:

What happened, or what the foot doctor believes, is that I have irritated the bone area and that is why everything is inflamed. Now, how did that occur, from wearing a half orthotic and also not replenishing the shoes. I normally do this every 300 miles and I failed to do. So, with those two things and then with ramping up long runs, I am in this position.

When I went in I figured the worst of the worst, not surgery, but to be out for at least 3 weeks. Yet, I was given 3 options: Cori zone shot, rest 3 weeks, or a carbon plate in my shoe and an inflammatory. I chose the later. And I am super happy that I did -- I am already out an running.

He informed me that I needed to run in moderation and also mildly. I asked for details and also specifics. HA !! I do not do things in moderation well at all!!!!

Tonight I went out with someone that asked if I would run with her and she is just starting to run...so that was perfect for me to get back out there.

I might have thrown off my full training but that's OK. I will finish the race, probably not near where I would like too, but I will.

I have also signed up for most of the races from now until July. I still have a few more to sign up for, but I am still on track with winning the group lottery for Grama's half in June!!! http://grandmasmarathon.com/site/index.php?page=garry-bjorklund-half-marathon

Also signed up for Chicago's Rock N Roll in July with another friend.

I am loving the friends I have gained through running, think I FINALLY found life long ones!!! TYG....

Onward and Upwards!!!!