Catching Up

It's been a rough few weeks.

After the run at Golden Gardens, I had a series of physical breakdowns that had me sidelined for quite awhile. My right foot, right glute/hamstring and left knee/IT band all ganged up at the same time. Wight the advice of one of the running coaches, I decided to sit out for a couple weeks to let things heal up.

My foot and right hamstring came back quickly enough, but my left IT band continued to plague me. There were days I couldn't even manage 30 minutes on a treadmill.

At the end of April, I tried a long run at the gym instead of going to the organized group run (knowing that I'd not be able to complete it). I got 50 minutes before I had to stop. Taking that as a measure of improvement, I decided to do the next Saturday group run on May 7th. We ran part of the Burke Gilman, starting at Matthews Beach heading south towards the U-District. I did pretty well through the first 40 minutes or so. I made it to the water stop, turned around and headed back. I was going glacially slow and focusing on my posture as much as I could. As I passed 50 minutes, I counted this run as a win. I got to 60, 70 and then 80 minutes. I had gone farther than I thought I could, so I was pretty happy. Of course, as soon as I decided that the run had been a success, my IT band came calling and my knee gave out at 85 minutes.

Walking back to home base, Shelby, one of the coaches found me, and walked with me for awhile. We talked about my IT issues and he offered to "dig on me" once I got back to home base. He is a pro coach and runner, owns a running shop and has a degree in this stuff. He knows his shit. He had me lie down on the ground, fold my left leg over and proceeded to dig his elbow into my left glute. Good Lord, the pain was insane. I either had to cry or laugh, so I was kind of giggling like a fool. He told me to get a lacrosse ball and use it do the same thing on my own.

I got the ball and added it to my daily foam roller routine. It hurt like hell, but it was worth it. I slowly increased the time I could go before the pain caught up to me.

The following week, we had a longrun out at Lincoln Park, 160 minutes. I made it 140 before my knee gave out. I did a walk/run mix to finish out. I ended up doing 13.94 miles in 2:48:47. An amazing piece of progress. I also realized as I finished the run that I had just complete a half marathon. I was pretty pleased with myself.

Probably too pleased.

The weather got much nicer and being that it was Ride to Work week, I decidedmto ride my bike to work on Thursday and then again on Friday. My legs were tired, but I didn't feel any pain.

Yesterday, we had a group run at Genessee Park. A "short" 110 minute jaunt. I felt confident that I'd be able to do the whole run. I was wrong.

I made it to the second water stop and turn around point in good time, right at about 55 minutes. The route is kind of hilly with long, gradual climbs and one abrupt climb. Going out, I did fine. Coming back, not so much.

As I got to the first long downhill, my knee gave out pretty quickly. I'd gone about 60 minutes. I tried stretching and doing the run/walk thing, but I couldn't run for more than a few minutes at a time. I was cursing a good clip every time my knee gave out. I was able to hobble through until the last part of the course which was mostly flat tending to a slight uphill. I was able to keep my run going and finished the last 10 minutes or so without stopping.

Next week is our longest run - 3 hours total. It's out at Redhook and the Sammamish River Trail, which is mostly flat with a couple small hills. I'm hopeful that I can get a better result. I definitely feel like my energy and stamina are there and I would be able to do the marathon if it weren't for my IT band.

We are 5 weeks away from the marathon. I'm going to complete it one way or another. I'd like it to be running the whole way.

Thank you all

I sold all my miles and have been humbled by the response. I thank you all for donating and I will proudly wear your names on my jersey come race day.

On the day of the race, I will have my pace app publish my progress mile by mile to my Facebook page so that you all can keep track when your mile comes up.

Thanks again, and I can't wait for race day!

4.9 — Golden Gardens 80 min.

This run went pretty well, but part way through I started feeling some pain in my left knee just about in the same spot I had been feeling pain in my right knee awhile back. Then my right foot started to hurt. I was able to finish the run, but knew that I'd be feeling it later.

Later, I was feeling it big time. In the time to took to drive home, everything stiffened up and I was hobbling around for the next couple of days. I'm taking a short hiatus from running to let things heal up a bit. I'm skipping the next Saturday run on the 16th and hope to back at it on the 23rd.

Run stats: 1:21:53 min. | 8.24 miles | 9:56/mile average pace

4.2 — Genessee Park 110 min.

This was officially the longest I have ever run in my life (so far as I can remember). I ended up doing closer to 120 minutes because I didn't turn around soon enough. I had to map out the run once I got home because my GPS lost signal towards the end of the course and I couldn't rely on the results (it had me doing 5 minute miles... not so much).

I got in just about 12.5 miles in just under 2 hours — almost a half marathon. I was feeling it at the end. There was a steep-ish section of the path under the I-90 bridge leading down into a parking lot that really got to my knees. This was with about 1 mile left to go, so my last mile was pretty slow. I did my stretching afterwards and got a massage too. I'm kind of stiff, but I'm not in any real pain which is a win on its own.

The best part of the run came after when I went to breakfast with a bunch of folks. This was the second time I've gone to the post-practice breakfast and it was the highlight of the morning. To be honest, everyone is very nice and ready to talk and share what they are doing, why they are running, what their experiences have been — I need to do more I think to take part in this element of the Team in Training experience. I've been happy to run my own pace and not go to the food-related gatherings mostly to avoid eating stuff I don't really need to eat. But, I'm monitoring my diet still and I can accommodate the calories. I need to be a bit more social.

Run stats (est.): 1:57:17 min. | 12.5 miles | 9:37/mile average pace

3.26 — Redhook 90 min.

We were greeted by these motivational messages near the end of the run.

I'm starting to feel like I don't have anything interesting to write about if I don't have an injury to talk about.

The run went fine. I kept up a fairly even pace and felt good throughout. I tried out a new fuel belt with the 4 mini water bottles on it. I drank one every 20 minutes and it did have an impact on my overall energy level I think. I skipped the water stops and tried to go off the water and gel packs I carried with me to try and get used to using the water bottles and getting them in and out of the belt while running. My goal is to run the marathon without any pauses. I know that might not be completely realistic, but that's my goal.


And cheerleaders.



I did feel a slight twinge in my right IT band and knee towards the end of the run. I've slacked a bit on my stretching and foam roller usage — just a little reminder to not get cocky and to keep up the work.

Run stats: 1:29:35 min. | 9.22 miles | 9:43/mile average pace

3.22 — Greenlake 40 min.

Day 2 of hill training. Tonight's run was basically a repeat of last Tuesday with a slightly longer distance on the hill portion — more up and more down. I got in one fewer laps than the first hill night, but I also think I pushed harder and was able to go faster on the up sides.

Again, no pain and no problems, except the tightness in my calves.

Run stats: 43:37 min. | 3.95 miles | 11:03/mile average pace

3.19 — Cedar River Trail 70 min.

The weather once again decided to play nice with us. It was cold and a touch on the windy side at times, but no rain. The trail itself was gorgeous and well maintained. I will definitely be back this summer with the wife and our bikes to take a ride here.

I started out on this morning's run at a relatively slow pace. I was following a group of people, chiming in on the conversation at times, and basically getting warmed up properly. After about 20 minutes or so (just about the time my toes thawed out), I decided to speed it up a bit and headed out on my own. Everything seemed to be in working condition, so I tried to slowly increase my pace through the rest of the run time.

For the most part, I was able to keep it up and got a negative split on the end of the run. I never got going so fast that I felt like I was pushing too hard, but I wasn't settling back and taking it easy either. The only ill effects I felt at the end was some tightness in my calves (my enormous, enormous calves). Some stretching and foam roller work took care of that.

The running is getting easier and the injuries are evening out. All good news as we get into the meat of the training schedule and start hitting some significant run times. Next Saturday is a 90 minute run and all the rest after that except for one, I think, are more than 100 minutes. Sounds daunting.

Run stats: 1:12:22 min. | 7.32 miles | 9:53/mile average pace

3.15 — Greenlake 40 min

Our first hills training — a few warmup laps around the track, 30 minutes of up and down the hill on the south end of the Greenlake playfields and then a few cool down laps around the track.

Sounds pretty simple, and it was. Except for the hill part. The coaches had us going up fast and coming down slow. And, they wanted us to go just a little faster each time going up. I pushed to do that and was really huffing and puffing by the end of that 30 minutes. You'd think my massive leg muscles would have helped out there, but they didn't (that's kind of a joke since it seems that someone at every group run makes a comment about how big my calves are).

I had my running app going during the exercise, but since it wasn't really a straight on run the stats are a little off.

Run stats: 47:19 min. | 3.84 miles | 12:20/mile average pace

3.12 — Gasworks 90 min.

This one could have been miserable. 90 minutes is our longest time so far and it was already lightly raining when we got to home base at the Gasworks parking lot. The announcements were short and we headed out. I had done a good 20-25 minute walk ahead of time to make sure I was nice and warmed up. Still, I started out slowly. My IT band has been better, but facing such a long time I wanted to be extra careful.

The rain continued and I met up with Karen and Ruthie, one of our group's mentors, about 20 minutes in or so. Up to this point, I really haven't talked to anyone during the runs — I wasn't being antisocial but it always seemed that I ended up in an empty area from other runners. The three of us stayed together through most of the run. Karen slowed up a bit towards the end while I tried to stay with Ruthie. I wasn't paying attention to my pace meter since I always tend to go too fast when I do.

Ruthie kept a solid pace. I kept up with her and finished the run really strong with no significant pain. A major win. I did have a little stiffness and my quads were sore, but I can deal with all of that.

It really did make the time go by having people to talk to. I can see that as we get closer to and beyond a couple of hours of running time, it will be more and more important to strike up some conversations.

Not only did it make the time go by, but it also helped us ignore the rain. It started lightly and got a lot harder during the second half of the run. We were all soaked to the bone. I'm pretty much done with winter, the rain, the cold and the gray. Spring can't get here fast enough.

Run stats: 1:31:43 min. | 9.45 miles | 9:42/mile average pace

3.5 — Red Hook Brewery 80 min.

Coach Shelby, dressed as if it were 80 degrees instead of 40.

The big test today was if, after my recent success with my IT band, I could complete the full 80 minute run without stopping due to pain.

The good news is that I did complete the full 80 minute run. I didn't do it pain free, however, and really struggled the last few minutes. I'm beginning to think part of my problem might be mental - I start to feel the pain in my knee at the end of my run whether it is a 30, 40 or today's 80 minute run. You'd think that if the pain really was triggered by duration of use, it would start to hurt after the same amount of time each run. It doesn't. It kicks in as I near the end of my run regardless of the duration.


Telling a Mission Moment about a young girl and her family struggling with cancer. The girl is going in for a bone marrow transplant on the 14th.

It could be in my head. It could also be that I'm relaxing my form as I get to the end of the allotted time, even though I think I'm actually paying more attention to form as I run longer and longer.

Either way, I got to about 70 minutes and my right knee started to seize up. I toughed it out, slowed down and kept running. The last 5 minutes or so were pretty tough, but I kept going and finished the 80 minutes running instead of walking.


Chocolate gu, droooool.

There was a Power Bar rep there to hand out samples of their nutrition and recovery snack options. Our coaches have been talking about the need to eat something to replenish your electrolytes and glucose every 45 minutes during long runs. I tried out some chocolate flavored "gu," which was actually pretty tasty. The energy bar I tried was not bad, although it was hard and tough. I'm not sure it would be very easy to eat while running.



Thanks to a lot of very generous people, my fundraising is going really well. I've met my minimum for my race and am now aiming higher. Other people have come up with a wide variety of fundraising ideas, like the cookies above. If I do this again, I will be lifting some of those ideas.

Run Stats: 1:19:54 min. | 7.63 miles | 10:28/mile average pace

3.1 — Greenlake 40 min.

Our rain luck ran out tonight and we got a little wet as we did a lap around Greenlake. And on top of that, I stepped in a huge puddle right at the beginning of the run. The coaches claimed that the wicking socks they suggested we buy would actively dry out if they got wet - I hope so since my right foot was totally waterlogged.

The good news is that I made through the full 40 minutes without needing to stop due to my IT band. It did start to tighten up towards the end of the run, but I focused on my posture, my stride length and how I was placing my foot and all of that helped keep the tightness from escalating into serious pain.

I was also very cognizant about not "racing" anyone. I ran my own pace and didn't worry about keeping up with anyone or trying to pass anyone. For someone who has never taken part in any real competitive activities, I'm extremely competitive and it's been difficult to not slip into that mode as I run. I have had to pay as much attention to not competing as I have to maintaining my form.

Run stats: 40:13 min. | 3.88 miles | 10:22/mile average pace

Improvements

I did a full 30 minutes on the treadmill today and while I had tightness and soreness in my IT band and knee, it never got bad enough for me to stop. That's a huge improvement compared to earlier this week.

I told myself going into this training that since I knew nothing about running properly, I'd do everything the coaches told me and not assume anything. That didn't really happen.

I did follow their instructions when it came to running form and mechanics, but I let my predilections take hold in other ways.

I assumed that because I was already pretty fit — let's face it, I've been working out at least an hour a day for more than 400 days straight — I could push my pace without consequence. I also allowed my competitive nature loose a bit and I would either push to pass people or push to keep up with people who were clearly faster than I was.

Yes, I believe a big part of my pain issues were caused by my shoes/orthotics, but it was exacerbated by me not listening to the coaches when it came to my pace and whether I should have been pushing myself or not.

Their concern is time on the course, not speed or distance. Because I was focusing on speed and distance, I haven't been able to put in the time I need to due to injury or pain.

It seems that I've found a solution to the pain. Stretching, using the foam roller, getting massages and running at a slow and steady pace. Our next run is 80 minutes on a path that should be primarily flat. My goal is to get that whole 80 minutes without having to walk any of it.

2.26 — Lake Youngs Park 70 min.

I won't lie. It was damn cold this morning, somewhere in the mid-20s. I had 2 pair of socks, 2 pair of gloves, a beanie, hand warmers and foot warmers. My feet were still numb until about 25 minutes into the run.

I was fairly pleased with the results today. I went out very slowly, as planned, and was able to keep running much longer than I was able to last week. I made it 53 minutes before I had to stop and if the route we were on didn't have so many long hills I think I would have made it farther.

The route was hilly. I knew the downhill parts would be a problem. I can manage on flats and going uphill, but the downhill portions were just putting too much pressure on my knee. It also didn't help that parts of the trail had snow and ice on it. Nothing like slick footing to make an injury that is centered on a muscle that provides stability kick in.

At the first stoppage, I walked for about 3 minutes until I was at the bottom of the hill and then was able to get back up to speed. I went for another 10-12 minutes before having to stop once again. By that time, I was facing a very steep hill and only a short distance from the start/finish area, so I walked it in the rest of the way.


The last hill before the end of the run.

I had wanted to get the whole 70 minutes, but was happy to get as far as I did. Hopefully, with continued stretching, foam rollering and cautious running I will keep increasing my time until I am able to do the full runs.

Before the run started, Nadine, one of our coaches, came forward and talked to us about her father. He had been diagnosed with one of the blood cancers a couple years ago and through some extremely painful stem cell therapy along with chemo and some harsh drugs had been able to kick the cancer into remission. Unfortunately, she got a call just yesterday that he has gone out of remission. It was heart-wrenching to see the toll that news was taking on Nadine and would be on her family. Today's run was dedicated to her father.


This one is for Nadine's father.

A fundraising update: With all of your help, I was able to hit a fundraising incentive level (very early too!) and got a swanky black hoodie with the Team in Training logo on it. The only way to get one is to hit that incentive level, so thanks and keep it up.

One thing I've been glad to avoid on the fundraising side of things is Chase. Chase is a stuffed animal that gets handed out to someone new each week that they have to carry around with them. It does serve as a good conversation starter from what people who have carried it have reported. I really don't want it and I'm thinking since I'm not having any fundraising issues that I might not "get" to carry Chase around. This week, the lucky victim is Suzanne, one of the runners in my mentor group. Good luck to her.


Suzanne and Chase.

Run stats: 1:16:48 min. | 5.92 miles | 12:58/mile average pace

The IT Saga Continues

Even with twice daily foam roller tortures, stretching, ice packs and threats of amputation, my IT issue has slowly gotten worse. Yesterday, I could only manage 15 minutes on the treadmill before I had to stop and walk it out. My frustration is rising as my ability to run diminishes.

Looking back, before I began training officially, I had been running 3 times a week and up to an hour at a time on the treadmill. I was using crappy shoes I got at a big box sports store with my prescribed orthotics in them. I had no significant pain, other than the general stiffness that comes after extended cardio exercise (you youngsters out there will understand what that is like soon enough).

Even once I started the TNT training schedule, the most I had was some front of the shin soreness. Certainly nothing that made me even come close to stopping during a run.

The turning point came as soon as I started wearing my new shoes without my orthotics. I started having knee and IT pain with the very next run. I tried to rationalize that the shoe guy knew what he was talking about and I didn't really need the orthotics any longer. Since that is really the one variable that has changed between no pain and increasing pain, I'm going back to the orthotics.

This morning I was able to go a full 30 minutes before the knee pain appeared, and that was after walking briskly for 10 minutes to warm up.

Encouraging. I'll see how things go on Saturday. We have a 70 minute group run. I'm going to walk beforehand for at least 20 minutes, followed by some light stretching to really make sure I'm warm and loose. I'm going to ignore my pace program and go as slow and easy as I can manage. So far, I've been able to go longer outdoors than I have on the treadmill — doesn't make a lot of sense, but that's been the trend. Hopefully, I can extend my run time past 30 minutes and get farther into the return trip before needing to walk.

I'm determined to get past this and not let it keep me from running the marathon. Determined.

How?

How can something that hurts so much be good for me?

I think it's an evil marketing campaign by the foam roller lobby.

Mission Moments — Ashley Aven

Our season has been dedicated to the memory of Ashley Aven, a young woman who recently lost her battle with cancer. Her father came to our run a couple weekends ago and talked with great emotion about his daughter, her battle, her spirit and how important what we are doing is to cancer patients and their families.

Here is a letter that Ashley wrote to the TNT team last year:

My name is Ashley K. Aven. Last July, when I was 17, I had finished up my junior year and the end of softball season at Meadowdale High School in Lynnwood. Like the rest of my friends and kids my age we were all excited about summer time - and of course no school for a while. As summer break started, I wasn't feeling well. I felt tired, with a couple of headaches here and there. On July 8th I started to spike a fever. Of course, like everyone else I thought it might be swine flu. Well, the fever would not go away or the headache, so we went to my regular doctor who I have had seen all my life. They did some blood work and obviously did not like the results so they sent us to Seattle Children’s emergency room. It was kind of scary, but, I had my mom and dad with me and you’re always alright if your parents are with you.

I gave Children’s Hospital some more blood, and it took them less than two hours to come right back into my room and explain to me and my parents that I had AML (Acute Myeloid Leukemia). This all happened way too fast for all of us, my mom, dad and me sat there in shock. I did not know what to say or do and I sat there and watched my parents try to be strong. My mom started crying, then I did, and of course my dad had the leave the room for a few minutes. From that day on is when I started my race and I am proud to say I am still running...

While in the hospital I went through three rounds of chemo that just kicked my butt, lost weight, lost my hair, but I never quit fighting. We were in the hospital from July 8,2009 until January 2, 2010. After all three rounds, my leukemia is so aggressive that it will not allow the chemotherapy to do its job. My incredible team of doctors gave me the hope and direction to go home and live the best quality of life with my team (MY FAMILY). With no cure right now for my disease I was told in January that I had two months to live. My dad told me we are not living by that schedule. I have incredible support from my team -- MOM, LETICIA (my sister), ERIC (my brother), DAD and every family member I can think of, the community, fellow athletes, journalist, KING 5, my school, the list goes on. And all of these individuals and groups have made up MY TEAM. Now I am bringing them all with me to join YOUR TEAM. I thank you with all my heart and my strength for choosing me to be honored by your team.

Ashley's family has started an organization dedicated to helping the families whose children are battling cancer. You can visit their website, bigdeepbreath.org here.

2.19 — Lincoln Park 60 min.

A truly beautiful morning for a run. It was clear and very cold, especially with the strong winds coming off the Sound, but it was otherwise almost perfect.

This run was a tale of two halves. Heading out, I felt great. Really great. I was keeping my form really well and got up to a steady 9 minute mile pace. That's right, a 9 minute mile average pace. Once I got past the area with the strongest headwinds, I cruised. I made it all the way to the south end of Alki where there was a water stop. I stopped, got a drink and did a little stretching. I turned around and headed back.

A minute or so into the return leg, my right knee started to seize up. It seriously went from feeling fine to me not being able to put any weight on it at all. I stopped and stretched out more. I started walking slowly and then with a little more speed until I was able to start jogging again. I got a ways before the knee gave out again. Stop, stretch, walk, jog. Stop, stretch, walk, jog. Repeat for the next 3.5 miles.

Nadine, one of the coaches, met me near the last part of the route and talked to me awhile about my IT band. I told her I was doing my stretches, using the foam roller and ice packs. She told me to keep with it and to focus on my upper hip/lower glute (the upper right ass cheek). She also told me that when I'm feeling great is when I need to slow down and take it easy the most. Feeling great means you tend to go faster than you should or are ready to go and more likely to injury yourself. Me, case in point.

So, I'm back to nursing my knee and taking it very easy with my runs.

Before the run started, Sandy, our team captain, handed out purple ribbons for everyone to wear in honor of Marcus Smith. Marcus is the brother of someone close to Sandy and the TNT family, and he recently went out of remission with his cancer.



We also got to hear about Dylan in our Mission Moment. When he was 13 months old, he was diagnosed at the St. Jude Children's Hospital with AML in both his kidneys. It was a rare form of cancer that the doctors there had not seen before, so they decided to go after it with an adult dose of medicine. The insurance company decided that their approach was "experimental" and refused to pay for the treatment or any further treatments that Dylan received. His hospital costs were paid through donations and the help of a lot of people. He is now 3.5 years old and in remission. Just another reminder that every little bit helps and there are people out there who have great need.



After the run, a group of us went for some breakfast at Endolyne Joe's. It was nice to relax over some great food — I highly recommend the corned beef hash — and get to know my fellow team members a bit better.

Run stats: 1:08:20 min. | 7.80 miles | 8:42/mile average pace*
*Pace not correct for last part of run since I walked a good piece of it.

2.15 Greenlake — 30 min.

I'm beginning to think our group runs are blessed, if I went in for that kind of thing.

The last few days have seen crazy weather around here — tree limb breaking winds, driving rain, hail, and everything in between. Tonight's forecast actually warned of funnel clouds. Seriously, atmosphere, what the hell?

I was able to leave work on time and when I got down to the locker room here in our building, I realized I had forgotten my warm(ish) long exercise pants at home. All I had were a pair of Under Armor bike shorts. Nice.

When I got to Greenlake, it was still drizzling and it was very cold. I stayed in the car as long as I could, but as soon as I got out with the group I saw that the rain had stopped. Somehow, we lucked out and the rain stayed away for the whole run. It was cold for sure — my toes didn't thaw out until about half way through — but that was it.

The run itself went pretty well. I've been hitting my IT band with a foam roller (how something that causes that much pain can be beneficial makes no sense), stretching and ice packs. I was able to get through the whole 30 minutes without any issues other than some building tightness in my knee towards the end. I talked to Shelby, one of the coaches, at the beginning of the run and he told me to do what I've already been doing. Rick, my group mentor, and I talked for most of the trip back and he described having the same issues I am. The foam roller did the trick for him. I hope it does for me too.

Run stats: 30:57 min. | 2.97 miles | 10:25/mile average pace

2.12 Gasworks — 50 min.

Photo by Rick Smith

I was a little concerned about today's group run. I had that serious twinge the other day on the treadmill in my right knee and up to my right hip — IT band area. It was supposed to rain according to the last weather report I saw and I really wasn't looking forward to that. And, still, the idea itself of running outside for 50 minutes had me anxious.

I don't really get the anxiety about running outside or that I'd be running in public. I've been exercising regularly for more than 3 years at my gym, usually doing much more than 50 minutes of activity a day and doing it surrounded by other people. Why is changing the venue such a source of anxiety?

I do remember being very anxious when I first started at the gym. I was much heavier then and was kind of forced into it because the exercise machine I had at home kept breaking down. I remember feeling terribly out of place and getting The Look a lot. What's The Look? It's that expression I always got from people when they saw me back then — if they thought they might have to sit next to the fat guy on the bus, or get on an elevator with the fat guy, or were sitting near the fat guy in a restaurant, or seeing a fat guy wheezing and sweating as he barely moved on an elliptical machine. Sometimes The Look was involuntary — their instant reaction of disgust making it onto their face. Sometimes it was very directed, as if they were questioning what right I had to be in whatever place they thought I didn't belong. When I was 400+ lbs., I got The Look a lot. I didn't want to face that at the gym, but didn't have much choice so I went and dealt with it.

It's been a long time since I've gotten The Look, but I guess the anxiety about being judged as the fat guy doing something I "shouldn't" is still there, even if I'm not the fat guy any longer and even if everyone I've met at the Team in Training events have been incredibly welcoming. Yes, I have my issues.

Anyway, I talked to one of the coaches before the run about my IT band and how to deal with it — ice, stretching, rest... stuff I was already doing. I also made sure to get to the park early enough that I could do a good long warmup walk before the run, about 20 minutes or so. Once the run got started, I took it slow for the first few minutes just to make sure everything was working.

It was, I had no pain to speak of, so I opened it up a little bit and started to push my pace. I settled into a comfortable stride and checked my pace. Under 10 minutes! I was able to keep that going and even shave a little off over the course of the whole 50 minutes. I kept my focus on my foot placement, keeping my chest up and back, keeping my breathing even and keeping my cadence up around the 90+ stride a minute pace. There's a lot of stuff to pay attention to.

I had no pain issues... until the very last couple minutes. I think I eased up too much and got sloppy with my form. Sure enough, my right knee flared up and I had to limp in. Ugh. More ice packs for me.

On the good side, it didn't rain. In fact, it was just about perfect if not a bit cold.

Run Stats: 49:58 min. | 5.05 miles | 9:54/mile average pace

Splits: Mile 1: 10:36 | Mile 2: 10:02 | Mile 3: 9:42 | Mile 4: 9:36 | Mile 5: 9:21

Mission Moments — Welcome to Leukemia

I have been lucky. I've not had anyone in my immediate family or circle of friends who has had to deal with cancer. I don't have any direct experience with the disease or what it does to a family. The closest I've come so far is one of my coworkers, Glenn Rockowitz. He's had multiple instances of cancer and survived them all. He wrote a memoir called "Rodeo in Joliet" about his experiences. It's a powerful book and I highly recommend it.

At the beginning of each Team in Training group event, we have Mission Moments during which we hear about people dealing with cancer. The following letter was read to us at our first meeting and, like Glenn's book, really opened my eyes to what living with cancer is all about. Training for this marathon is only one side of what I'm doing. This letter shows the other side and will drive home how necessary it is for all of us to do what we can to help in any way we can.

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Welcome To Leukemia:

You never imagine that a trip to the Mary Bridge ER, with your 3-year-old who has "the flu", will turn out to be your worst nightmare. It seems unfathomable that, with one blood draw and within an hour's time, your world can be turned upside down. Welcome to Leukemia.

Instead of deciding which new toy to get him for Christmas, you're deciding whether or not to participate in a clinical study. Instead of scanning your favorite internet sites, you're updating his treatment page on thestatus.com. You've slept for a week on the too-short-fold-out-chair, can now snore through the hourly interruptions by the nurses and no longer remember a good hair day. Welcome to Leukemia.

Your precious toddler, who loves playdough and Disney, is suddenly receiving toxic drugs and blood transfusions. The premium you pay for health insurance becomes immediately "very reasonable". Welcome to Leukemia.

Celebrating a huge family Christmas is replaced with celebrating blood counts. Instead of Grandma's Norwegian Lefse, you're having hospital cafeteria salad bar (again). Welcome to Leukemia.

The squeamish mom, who would never have considered nursing as a profession, learns to flush PICC lines and administer drugs at home. You once looked forward to Amazon deliveries from the handsome UPS driver. Now you look forward to the institutional-looking home health services van, which is driven by a retired longshoreman. He's not bringing the latest Harry Potter book, but delivering dressing change kits, latex gloves, syringes and chemo. Welcome to Leukemia.

You meet other families during hospital stays and clinic visits and become familiar with their stories. You attend the funerals of their children, and feel your heart break for them, because they weren't in the 84%. Welcome to Leukemia.

BUT ALSO:

Immediately, friends and family come to your side in the Emergency Room. They lift you, spiritually, in prayer, and physically, by holding your hand and letting you cry on their shoulder. They continue to show support by appearing at the hospital room door, with open arms, sushi dinner for mom and dad, and never-ending gifts for the newest gladiator on the 6th floor. Welcome to Leukemia.

Co-workers stock your freezer with Costco goods and have your house cleaned. Your employer reorganizes workloads, so that you can work remotely. Welcome to Leukemia.

Your child is allowed to eat, after being limited to fluids for three days. The nurse on the 6th floor doesn't care WHAT time it is. If this boy wants pancakes, the cafeteria WILL MAKE HIM PANCAKES NOW!
Welcome to Leukemia.

Angels in the form of pediatric oncologists, nurses, child life specialists and social workers become your extended family. They provide you with knowledge, support, patience (which truly surpasses all understanding) and confidence. That latte lady at the oncology clinic greets you with a smile every time and asks how your boy is doing. Welcome to Leukemia.

Medical research is being put to the test. Your son reaches remission and there is no longer any sign of it in his blood or bone marrow. Only three years of treatment to go. Welcome to Leukemia.

As things start to stabilize, you feel like you should be doing something more to battle this horrible cancer. So you join Team in Training to raise funds for research and get a little more in shape. You do raise funds and get in shape. You meet amazing people who have joined the cause for many different reasons, but all with the same goal: a cure. You run a marathon! The campaign coordinator steals your son's heart. You sign up for another TNT event. Welcome to Leukemia.

From one very grateful mom, to all of my teammates - thank you so much for your efforts!

Tracy

Scott, meet IT. IT, meet Scott

And I don't mean Information Technology.

Yes, this morning I and my right IT band got to know each other a little better.

I was doing my daily 30 min. run and about 10 minutes in had a nice twinge from my right hip down to the outside of my knee. I slowed up a bit and ran through it and it went down to a dull ache for the rest of the run. It quit hurting pretty quickly after I stopped running and didn't hurt at all when I got up on the elliptical. The only time it woke back up was later in the morning as I was walking down Seneca towards work and got to a particularly steep section of sidewalk. Walking down that incline really activated the twinge and I had to slow way down and take small steps. I iced it as soon as I got to work and it seems fine now.

My next run is Saturday morning — a 50 min. group run starting at Gasworks Park (and going onto the Burke Gilman, I assume). I'll be having a little conversation with the coaches about this one. I'm hoping that it's just more of the normal "shakedown" portion of taking up running — even though I'm in fairly good shape, running is using muscles differently and it's normal to have some aches and pains. I'm also adjusting to my new shoes.

It is also interesting that I didn't have any pain issues before beginning this training even though I had been running on the treadmill for a good couple months. True, I wasn't running as often, but I was running longer. I have been using the treadmill at a 0 to better simulate running outdoors. Previously, I had always put the incline up to at least 3.5. I wonder if that isn't part of my problem with these aches and pains. We'll see what the coaches say.

New Shoes and Some Aches

I went back to Run 26 on Sunday and got fitted for some new running shoes - Brooks Defyance 4s. I apparently don't pronate or supinate, according to my gait analysis, so I got some "neutral" shoes. Kind of interesting since about 4 years ago I was pronating all over the place (and not in the Hungarian sense — a coach joke, you had to be there). Of course, I was a lot heavier and didn't walk like a normal person. Along the same lines, my shoe size has also gone down a full size and width since then too.

Hopefully, the new shoes will help with a couple beginning-to-nag aches. My right shin and my quads are bothering me. The shin isn't the bone, so I don't think it's shin splints. The ache is definitely in the muscle in the front and outside of my shin. I've iced it a couple times and that has helped.

As for my quads, 2 people have now commented on how big they are. I never really though much about them, but I guess they are bigger than what you normally see on runners. It will be interesting to see how my legs change as I run more. This is really the first significant amount of running I've done since high school, and I didn't do much then. Weightlifting, biking and spending time on the elliptical have built them up. Power vs endurance.

The injury prevention guru mentioned that our aches and pains should lessen after a short while. It makes sense that there would be some discomfort. After all, I'm using muscles in a whole new way. There's bound to be some adjustment to the new stress.

2.5 Mill Creek — 40 min.

After talking with my team mentors, Rick and Ruthie, I decided to definitely start out at an easier pace. I also downloaded a running app for my iPhone, Runmeter, so that I could keep better track of my pace and time. It's actually a pretty cool app. It allows you to save your runs, it gives you mile by mile information about your pace and distance, and it gives you your pace and average pace as you run. I was trying to avoid buying an expensive running watch and think I've succeeded, without the purchase of an iPhone arm band and this app.

Anyway, I started out a bit slower and was able to comfortably talk to a couple of people going out and back. Since the goal for our early training runs is to keep a pace slow enough that allows us to hold a conversation, I think I'm getting the right pace.

This run was 20 minutes out and 20 back. I actually ended up going 21 out and 19 back. I was talking to someone and wasn't paying attention to the clock on the way out. We're supposed to work towards a negative split and I ended up doing that this time by picking up the pace and getting back quicker than I went out.

We did some stretching exercises afterwards and then had a clinic on injury prevention and proper equipment. I definitely need better shoes. I bought a pair of Sports Authority cheapos a few weeks ago and I can feel already that they aren't doing the job. One of the Team in Training coaches owns Run 26, a shoe and running store, and took us through all the ins and outs of proper shoes. I was a little surprised to find out that the materials in the sole of the shoe actually break down whether you are using them or not. So those bargain basement priced outlet store shoes you are buying are probably the ones that haven gone unsold for months and have little or no lifespan left in them (like the ones I got at Sports Authority and was all pleased with myself because I got "good" running shoes for $20).




The injury prevention talk was just as illuminating. I've been trying to go into all of this with the attitude that I know nothing or that anything I think I know is not only wrong but probably so wrong that without proper training I'll just end up hurting myself and failing miserably. So I paid very close attention to Bruk from Real Rehab as he described how to avoid injury and train correctly. He gave us a couple of strengthening exercises that, after feeling how much they hurt when I tried them, are going into my regular routine. I injured the MCL and PCL in my left knee a few years ago and it took 9-12 months two get back to normal. I had enough of that crap back then and will do whatever I need to in order to avoid it now.

So, good run. Informative clinics afterwards. I'll be going back to Run 26 tomorrow to get my shoes (they were fitting about 40 people after the clinics ended and I didn't want to wait around). Next group run is Tuesday at Greenlake.

Run stats: 40:25 min. | 3.78 miles | 10:42/mile average pace

2.1 Greenlake — 30 min.

I was oddly nervous about this run as it got closer to the time for me to leave the office, head downstairs and change into my running gear. I don't think I was jittery about my ability to do the run. Just like the first Saturday run, it was a 30-minute run. I've been doing that on the treadmill for a couple months, and have done longer.

I guess I'm never really going to be over feeling like the fat wall flower who doesn't fit in when it comes to new situations.

The run itself went really well. I again ran at what felt like a "normal" pace for me. I was trying to push myself and worked on getting my coming back a little faster than my pace going out (we ran 15 minutes out and 15 minutes back). The only pain, if you want to call it that, I've had from either this run or the first one is in my quads. They feel tight and I've been working on keeping them stretched out. I chalk it up to the squats my trainer has me doing during our weight lifting routine. I will definitely keep my eye on this to make sure I'm not risking an injury. If the tightness continues, I'll talk to one of the TNT coaches on Saturday to see if my stride is causing it. I do feel like I'm striding a little differently running outside compared to running on the treadmill.

Buy My Hair Color!

My wife and I founded and operate Stormfans.org, a fan site that follows the Seattle Storm. A couple years ago, we held a fundraiser to buy a section of 20 season tickets that would be given out each game to area youth organizations. As part of that drive, I said that if we met our goal, whoever donated the most money got to pick my hair color for opening night.

We met the goal. The highest donation was $600 and that person picked green. I went to VAIN on 1st Ave., and had them do the color. I added in some yellow to continue the Storm color theme. The photo above is what I wore on my head for the next several weeks.

I'm revising this idea, but raising the stakes a bit.

Whoever donates $1000 via my donation page can pick my hair color for race day, June 25th. Any color is an option. You could go purple and have me match the Team in Training gear our group will be sporting. You could go red and make sure I stand out like a flaming beacon at the starting line. Blue, yellow, green... you donate the dough and I wear the color.

Donate today!

1.29 Magnuson Park — 30 min.

Wow. First official training run. And it's outside. I haven't run outside since I was in high school and that was a long damn time ago.

Knowing I was going to do this, I started running on a treadmill at my gym a few weeks ago. I did a couple 30 minutes runs a week and worked up slowly until I was doing three runs a week fairly regularly. I also ran a couple hour long runs, just to see how it felt. It was probably not the best thing to do before I was really ready, but I didn't hurt anything and at least proved to myself I could do it.

I remember back to when I started working out with my trainer, Josh, and he had me run for 90 seconds on the treadmill in between weightlifting stations during our circuit training. I could barely do it, even at a pace that was so slow it could only be called a fast shuffle. It wasn't even jogging. I was a good 150-180 pounds heavier back then. I've come a long way.

Still, I was anxious about the whole "outside" thing. I guess I'm really just anxious about the whole marathon thing. I know that the coaches know what they are doing and their training schedule is designed to get non-runners across the finish line. Knowing is all well and good. Getting over the mental block on how far 26.2 miles is is another thing.

I started riding my bike to work last summer. It's 10 miles each way and I had the same brief hesitation each morning I rode as I allowed that distance to sink in. 10 miles is a long way on a bike. By the end of the summer, however, I was regularly taking the real "long route" — using the Burke Gilman and going through the Locks and then down the waterfront to work. 45 miles round trip.

So I know it's all in my head and I'll get over it.

The run itself went really well. I felt good and ran faster than I thought. I mostly went for a pace that felt natural and didn't try to take it easy or push too hard. Still, I think I may have been going too fast to start out. My quads were a little sore as I finished and I was huffing and puffing pretty hard. The coaches said we need to keep a pace to start out that allows us to hold a conversation. I don't think I could have talked much while I was running.

I also had a fanny pack for my glasses, wallet, keys and iPhone. I've got to lighten the load. I was the only one carrying that much stuff and I had a hard time keeping the fanny pack in place. It kept wanting to spin around to the front, and that's just not a good look.

Buy My Miles

Of course, you can donate any amount that you want. Everything will help. But, if you donate $50 or more, you can choose which mile I will dedicate to you or to someone you designate (for example, a family member or loved one who is or has battled blood cancer). I'll also add your name to the list of superstars on the right side of this page.

Miles 1 and 26 are both $100. My lovely wife, Angie, has already spoken for the last mile, but Mile 1 is still up for grabs.

Buy a mile. Get your name on my shirt. Donate today.

Help Me Run

Hello. I'm training to run my first marathon and have chosen to do so with the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society's Team in Training. While I train over the next few months, leading up to my marathon event at the end of June, I will be working to raise money to support LLS. I will be using this blog to document my training and fundraising progress.

Well that was all kind of bland, wasn't it? It's all accurate and the challenge of running a marathon is a huge undertaking, but it doesn't really tell the whole story, my story.

Five years ago, the idea of me running a marathon or even running at all for any length of time bordered on insane. Five years ago, I weighed more than 400 pounds and had given up on my life and my future. I was 39 years old and was so sure that I was going to die by the time I was 50 that I didn't care what I ate, didn't do anything to plan for a future like saving into a 401k, and was horribly depressed. I knew, just flat out knew, that if I didn't already have diabetes or serious heart problems, I would soon enough. I was in a very dark place.

That all changed with a visit to my doctor. I was suffering from terrible foot pain and finally decided to get it checked out. It turned out to be severe plantar fasciitis in both of my feet. My doctor fit me for some orthotics and we started working on turning the PF around. While I was there, he gave me a physical and did some blood work. When I came back for the follow up appointment to go over the results, I was in for a shock.

There was nothing wrong with me, at all, except for being overweight. No diabetes. No heart disease. No clogged this or enlarged that. I was morbidly obese and would eventually see all of those things, but at that moment I was free of it all. The only thing I could think was what the hell was I doing to myself?

That was August 31st, 2006. By my doctor's scale, I weighed 415 pounds.

I started working out the next day.

Four and a half years and more than 215 pounds later, I'm within sight of my goal weight and have decided to cap off my weight loss journey with another journey of 26.2 miles.

On the left, me on 12.31.06, blowing out a candle on a birthday muffin. On the right, me today, ready to run.

I realize how lucky I am. I was able to head off some potentially life-threatening health problems through my own efforts and the support of my doctor, my trainer and most importantly my wife. There are others who aren't so lucky. Their health issues can't be solved through changes in diet or by adding exercise. They are the ones who need help from us all.

My plea to you now is to donate anything you can to help the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society and all the cancer patients they support. Do it as a way to help me meet my personal goals. Do it because you have someone in your life who has been impacted by one of the blood cancers. Do it because there is such a huge need. Whatever your reason, please donate today.

Help me run and help me support this worthy cause.