Two Hours!!

Yesterday, I ran the 13th Annual Urban Cow Half Marathon in Sacramento. Since my "A" race for the year is Across The Years in December, I was a little torn between making this a nice "easy pace" training run, and actually "racing" it. In the end, I really wanted to race it. June was the last time I got a VDOT score from a race, and that was four months, and over five-hundred miles ago. I wanted to update my training paces as a result of having a new race pace- and let's face it, I wanted to race.

A Wasted Year...

Ok, so maybe not wasted, exactly. But certainly more painful than it needed to be. I have battled calf and shin pain in my right leg for over a year. At one point, I had the spongy shin that Topher had in Karnazes' book. If you pushed on my shin with your thumb, the imprint would stay for a few minutes. Kind of gross! I've used neoprene sleeves to get through races. Taken weeks off from running to heal, only to have the pain return the second run out. Spent a ton of money on doctors, physical therapy, acupuncture, cryotherapy, massage, shoes, inserts, supplements... You name it, I have tried it. As DB Sweeney says in that figure skating movie, "So just send me to Mexico, shoot some shark piss up my nose, and I am cured, right?". I did all of this, and more. What I needed was a coach.

Jello Legs

I am so sore.

Yesterday, I ran the Inaugural Gold Country Half Marathon in El Dorado Hills, CA. It was amazing! My last half was back in March, and I wisely stayed with the pacer for the first eight or so miles. Then I unwisely felt like I was having to hold back to stay with him, so I took off on my own. I couldn't believe how well I was doing, how great I felt- for about two miles. Then I bonked. Hard. I ended up walking more than running for the last three miles, until the aforementioned pacer caught me just before the finish, smacked me on the back, and said "Let's go, Craig!". I managed to jog in with him, completely wiped. Now, some of that was nutrition: I didn't take in much at all, other than a few sips of Nuun, and maybe a gel early in the race. Some of it was under-training: I was nursing shin splints and a calf injury. But most of it was taking off too fast, too early. Unless your name is Meb, you just can't kick at mile 8- especially if you are an old, kinda fat guy like me.

To Maui! And Beyond!

Ok, so if you know me at all, you know that I am a Nervous Nellie. I battle anxiety and panic attacks, and since I quit drinking eight years ago, I have not flown. Translation: After a few Bloody Mary's, I believe I can fly. Without, I wasn't sure I could ever fly again.

My Superfood Collagen Protein Smoothie

I know, bad presentation. Just couldn't wait to drink it.

Funniest thing I have read in a long time

Hoka Skinnay Skinnay

As part of my ongoing quest for gear that will help me run with less acute pain, I ordered me some Hoka Vanquish road shoes from REI garage last week. Got them yesterday, and have to say, they are some of the most comfortable shoes I have ever put on. I so wanted them to fit, because they just felt that good. But, unfortunately, the toe box feels like it was cast for a Smurf. I don't think my foot is even that wide, yet I was straining the uppers, and making them bulge out over that huge sole like a mushroom. As comfy as they are, I know that the slightest bit of foot swelling is going to make me want to start cutting holes in them, so unfortunately, I will be taking advantage of REI's generous return policy today. I did briefly consider having my two smallest toes removed from each foot so that I could keep them, but my wife talked me out of it.

What a fantastic day! What a miserable day!

So, I have been battling shin splints and knee pain in my right leg since January. Since forever, really- it comes and goes. Take two weeks off, good for a day. Pain the next run. Two more weeks off. Good for a day, excruciating the next run. Six weeks of Physical Therapy. Acupuncture. Turmeric capsules three times a day. Rolling, stretching, massaging. Ice, elevation, heat, compression.

Last week, I finally felt good. Really good. Like three runs in a row, 28 mile week good. I took off the neoprene sleeve and patellar band, and hit the treadmill. Six miles on Tuesday, five on Thursday, still good. No pain, no altered gait...

Welcome!

I am a mid to back-of-the-packer who loves to run, even though I don't look like it. I have battled anxiety and panic attacks for over fifteen years, and at one point would not run a 5k with my wife, as it was "too far" from my safe zone. I now run 5 and 10k races, half-marathons, and am training for the California International Marathon and the Across The Years 48-hour endurance run, both of which are in December 2017.

I'd like to document my journey, for my own benefit. If it happens to help someone who suffers from anxiety and panic, then all the better.

I'm not a running expert, nor ultra-marathoner (even though I am obsessed with them), and I am not fast. My training methods, nutrition, gear and shoe choices, etc. are all my own, and I encourage you to find your own preferences. Constructive comments and open discussion are welcome. Malicious comments, cyber-bullying, or anything resembling a comment from a YouTube channel will be deleted immediately.