El Burro Blanco

I ran after work today.  I started at the high school and then went out into Washington Fields.  It is great running out there because the roads are not that busy and it is really flat.  I felt pretty good on the run.  I can't believe it is already December.  I am enjoying just going out and getting in some nice easy runs.  It makes me really look forward to running after work.

I started from the high school again and ran through Bloomington and then hopped on to the DC trail.  It brings back so many early morning memories.  I saw a guy rollerblading today.  It has been a while since I've seen anybody doing that.  6:55/mile pace overall.  Another nice day of weather.

I don't know what happened but my groin and hamstring got really tight again today.  I went in and talked with trainer at the high school and he said to stretch it out really good.  It feels a little uncomfortable running so I think I will take a little break for a while to see if I can get it all squared away.  I want to do the Painter's Half in January but I need to get everything feeling good otherwise I am not going to do it.  I need to be patient through this.

I stretched really good when I got home and it seemed to help a little.  I probably won't run tomorrow as well.  Stretching and core exercises for me.

Another rest day.  Over 4500 miles in one year = overtrained!  I can't complain about missing one more day to try and get this nuisance in the leg taken care of.

One more day of rest.  Lots of cross training by putting up Christmas decorations with the family.

Met up with Clyde this morning at the new running store and went out into Washington Fields.  Kept it real easy.  Leg felt okay but still not where it needs to be. 

I had thought about revamping the training a little while ago but my body is telling me to take it easy for the next little bit and get the hamstring taken care of.  I haven't listened to my body (and wife!) so well at times when it tells me to take it easy.  I think I will listen to them now.

Need to keep stretching out the hamstring at least 3 times a day.

I ran with some of the cross country kids this afternoon.  I then tacked on a couple more miles to hit 7 for the day.  The hamstring is still fairly tight but getting better.  Nice and easy for the next little while.

I did a nice and easy 5.5 miles around the school.  Nothing to exciting.

5 miles with some kids on the track team after school.  I then went and ice and stimmed the hamstring with the athletic trainer at the high school.  Hopefully that helps.  I started doing this yesterday.

Ran with the club tonight after I did ice and stim.  It seems to be getting a little better each day.  I don't want to jinx myself though.  We ran from the store out into the nice part of Washington.  The running trails in Washington are incredible!

Ice, stim, and then lots of stretching today.  May try and just swim in the pool next week.  I will wait and see.

Ran with Steve, Clyde, Dave, and Ruth on the Bear Paw Trail out in Bloomington.  It was pretty fun.  I have really enjoyed running on trails more.  I kept it really slow because I didn't want to overdo it.  Steve was nice enough to stay back and run with me.  Need to do more stretching as the day goes on.  I need to get this problem taken care of soon with the leg.  It seems to slowly be getting better though.

It snowed all day down here in sunny St. George.  I moved down here to get away from the white stuff.  Apparently it followed me down here.  I only did 4 miles this afternoon.  My leg felt the best it has felt in a long time.  I did ice and stim afterwards and then will stretch as the night goes on.  I think I am making some progress with getting this thing taken care of.

I didn't enjoy riding my scooter home today.  The roads were pretty slick so I averaged about 20mph on the roads.  Very cold ride home tonight.

Katey and I went to Sand Hollow Aquatic Center and swam at the pool.  I swam for about 30 minutes or so and called it a day.  I hope to do this more to work on aerobic capacity and making sure the hamstring gets completely healed.  The leg has been feeling a lot better lately though.  Easy stuff for the rest of the year and hopefully I will be able to start 2009 on the right foot!

I was planning on going swimming tonight but I ended up taking my dad to the emergency room.  He hurt himself pretty bad while riding a mechanical bull at my mom's work party.  Yes, I know all of you are wondering if he stayed on the entire 8 seconds.  Unfortunately he wasn't able to make it the full 8 seconds.  He is okay but it will take a while for him to stop waking around like a 90 year old man.  He is quite the trooper!

Club run this evening.  Really easy 6 miles.  The hamstring was a little sore.  Dave noticed that my stride and cadence was a little off.  The injury is getting better but I am still a little nervous to really lengthen the stride this quick.  Going up to the cold weather in Logan will make me really want to cross train (i.e. swimming, biking, elliptical) rather than running outside. 

It was weird to have work off today due to the snow in St. George.  I moved to get away from the white stuff.  The funny thing was all the snow was melted by about 9 or so.  I enjoyed sleeping in though.

35 minutes swimming at Sand Hollow Aquatic Center.  

Long drive up to Logan today.  I am glad I am cross training right now because the snow outside is ridiculous.  More swimming and elliptical for next week while I am spending quality time with the in-laws.  Need to get this hamstring taken care of.

Tons of snow up in Logan today.  I stayed on the elliptical today.  I did 1 hour and then mixed it up by alternating going forward for 5 minutes and then backwards for 5 minutes.  Worked up a good sweat and then did some stretching afterwards.

Another hour on the elliptical today.  Stretching followed afterwards.  Leg feels better.  Need to be patient.

I went to the Logan Rec. Center and did the elliptical and bike for about an hour.  I did some stretching afterwards.  I wanted to see how my leg felt so I hopped on the treadmill and did 1 mile.  I felt good but I didn't want to overdo it and do anything stupid.  That is a positive!
 

I did another hour on the elliptical this fine Christmas day in Logan.

Katey gave me the greatest gift any runner could have. She gave me the book titled "Again to Carthage" which is the sequel to Once a Runner by John L. Parker, Jr. I will read it quick and then it is available for anyone else to read. She also let me know that she paid for a brand new copy of "Once a Runner." It is being reprinted and is supposed to be out some time next March or April. I was so excited. I can't wait to read this new book.

Merry Christmas to everyone.  We have much to be grateful for this time of the year.

Another hour on the elliptical.  I think I am going to try some short runs next week.

Nothing today.  Too many family activities to count.  I got some good shopping in and found some killer deals.

No time for the elliptical today.  Some core exercises and then called it a day.

The weather was to perfect here in Logan today so I decided to try a little run outside.  I ran 4.5 miles and it felt pretty decent.  My legs were a little sluggish from not running for a while but overall I was pleased.  Katey's family says I look "healthy" now.  I have put a little weight back on over the holidays and that is their way of letting me know I have got some more meat on my bones.  It will come back off once I get running again.  

An easy 2.25 miles again in Logan.  My hamstring is feeling much better but my adductor muscle is slightly strained I think.  This injury is driving me crazy.