A Stranger's Panties

Alternative title: Turkey Day Fat Ass 20k

We are in Ripley, TN at my wife's parents for Thanksgiving. I figured this was a great opportunity to run a route that is new. I set out after breakfast, hoping to cover 5-6 miles and make it back in plenty of time for lunch. I had some pain behind my right knee that I attribute to squatting and kneeling on the floor while putting the treadmill together the other night. I needed to run, but did not want to cause any injuries a week before the marathon!

I ran down the highway and into town (around the 5k mark) and all felt ok. Since I had no idea where to go next, I assumed taking a right would be ok...and then a left...and then another left. Hell...I will just run until I hit the 10k mark and then reverse course. As I crossed a railroad trestle, I noticed a pair of white panties lying on the sidewalk. Strange sight, but thought better of picking them up and taking them home to the wife! I doubt she would like them and, besides...she has plenty already.

For those of you who are not familiar with Ripley...you ain't missing much. It's a small town out in the country about 50 miles north of Memphis. Running through the countryside is a pleasure, but not knowing where the hell I was going was a concern. I passed a little store and thought it best to stop for more water and a Red Bull. Since it was fairly cool out, my water consumption was low and I knew my current bottle would last at least 8 more miles.

Using my iphone gps, I located myself on the map and planned out a route back into town and back to the in-laws. My hip and knee were doing ok, but a little stiff. I kept a slow pace so I wouldn't aggravate them. Lunch time was approaching quick and I figured I still had an hour's worth of distance to cover. At an intersection, I was unsure if I should take a left or right. I chose left, but reversed to the right after a hundred yards. Still not totally sure if I was heading in the right direction, I looked down a noticed those white panties again! Then I was positive in my directions! Our family dinner was saved by the panties of a stranger!

The run was great and I enjoyed the wonderful weather we are currently having! It's a good feeling to be running (semi-) pain free again. Total mileage for the day was 12.30 in a bit less than 2.5 hours (11:44 pace).

Finally...

We have finally purchased a treadmill. It was a BITCH getting it out of the box and upstairs! It must weigh at least 400 pounds! Assembly was fairly easy...if you actually read the directions! After I got it setup, I ran a slow 5k on it while testing all the bells and whistles. I plan to wake 45 minutes early each workday for a run to increase my mileage without decreasing my family time.

[EDIT] My alarm went off at 0415. I did not get to bed until well after midnight...needless to say, I turned the alarm off and got another 45 minutes of sleep. Oh well...

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Jumpin' Jehosaphat!

Short on time, I wanted to push today's run as fast as possible (for my fat ass). I hit the 5k mark in 28:34 and then finished the run with an easy cool down for a total of 4 miles. Of course, this is not blazing fast for most runners, but coming off an injury and lack of mileage the past two weeks, I felt like I was flying.

No pains, aches, or troubles! Hopefully, my recent injury is now considered history.

Injury Update

Jennifer and I started our run after lunch, hoping the temps would be higher (no such luck). The sky was overcast and the temperature hovered at a balmy 44 degrees. I was hoping my hip/knee crap had gone away and Jennifer was hoping her knee/calf pain had done the same.

Our plan was for a easy half marathon on the Wolf River Path. This was to be her last long mileage run before her first attempt at the St. Jude Half Marathon (her previous long run was 10 miles). By mile five, her right knee was troubling her enough for us to walk back to the car and call it a day. I think it's ITB that is causing her pain due to the increase in mileage on the streets. Her "coach" (me!) suggested that she keep the mileage low on the streets and try to stick with the elliptical until the race. I want her to make it to the starting line healthy!

Me, on the other hand...I had some lingering aches in the hip, but not enough to slow me down or cause any worry. After we left the WRP, I went home, changed clothes, and hit the gym for another 10 miles...bringing my daily total to 16 miles. I also worked the legs with the weight machines prior to running. I expected to be in a bit of pain today, but was pleasantly surprised.

Today's run was dx'd due to household chores and Christmas shopping. My hip and knee have felt great today and I hope to be back running the streets again! Two 25 mile weeks have been ok to rest, but it's sure boring!

Time Off

My hip/knee pain is still present, although it seems to be fading. I went to my chiro yesterday for an adjustment and he suggested I use a wedge in my right shoe (since my right leg is somewhat shorter than the left). We'll see how this works on tomorrow's run.

Except for nine miles on Monday, I have not run another step. I am hoping to be rid of my injury(ies) well before the marathon, leaving me enough time for a few semi-long runs...but time is running out. I will attempt a half marathon with my better half tomorrow and if all goes well, another half on Sunday. If the pain recedes and I am able to run, I will jack my mileage back up to 50 for next week and 20 for the week before the marathon on December 6th.

Once the marathon is over, I can retreat back to the trails and start my prep for the 2009 Swamp Stomper in Shelby Forrest. I can hardly wait to be back in the woodline.

Ouch!

After Wade's, I started my street running in prep for the St. Jude Marathon. I am on my second pair of Adidas Adizero XT's, which have served me well on the trails. They are very light, but not very thick-soled. Changing from soft trails to hardball without changing my shoes was not one of my brighter ideas.

Last Saturday's long run turned fairly short due to right knee and hip pain due to...you guessed it...running in the Adizero's (which have well over 300 miles on them). The first run was with my better half, Jennifer. She is training for the half marathon, so we ran the Chickasaw trail at Shelby Farms. After ten miles, we said adios. She headed home and I went to the Wolf River Path for more running.

The car ride from the Ranger's station to WRP is only about five minutes, but I stopped at a gas station for a snicker bar and a coke on the way. Then I parked at the Chik-Filet and used their "facilities". All in all, it was about 45 minutes before I attempted to run again. I guess that my old body decided to cramp up a little from all the sitting. Add that to the worn out trail shoes and my right knee and hip were screaming. I tried to run through it. I tried to walk through it. Nothing seemed to help. After six miles of pain, I called it a day. After an easy four miles on Sunday, the pains were still present. It was long past time for a break.

Four days without running or gym time and new pair of Brook's Adrenaline GTS 8's, I hope my body is ready to resume running. The knee pain is gone, but the hip pain seems to prefer to hang around. My daily job consist of me sitting on my ass all day and that tends to aggravate the hips...but I have to bring home that paycheck!

Wade's Big Adventure

I made it to the starting line with plenty of time to socialize. Multiple calls to mother nature seemed to have cured my lower GI issues and I hoped it would remain that way. It's a bitch to wander off the trail to find a secluded spot to do number 2, but when you have to...you have to.



The race began on time, with the 18 milers leaving ten minutes before the 8 milers. I held pace with the rest of the Memphis Ultra crew on the outbound section and enjoyed the banter and companionship. This is quite a welcome change from my usual solitary runs. My piriformis issues started to haunt me around mile 6, but I was able to keep up with the team. Right before the turn-around, I had to slow pace and start my stretches to hopefully alleviate the oncoming problems. The team continued to rock on...hopefully I wasn't sandbagging them too much!

After the turn-around, I stopped for some better stretching on the ground. I took two Aleve and two S-Caps! and turned on the ipod. I was back to being alone and prayed the music would keep me moving at a decent clip. Five other runners passed me as they headed to the turn-around. At least, I consoled myself, I wasn't DFL.

The five runners behind me never caught up, nor did I catch anyone in front of me. I did see the runner behind me on the levee, but he was at least a quarter to half mile back. I put the hammer down to insure he never got any closer.

FEED ME!!


I finished in 3:22:59. Maybe I could have done better...I know I could have done worse. It was great to run with the Memphis Ultra crew and I look forward to running many more miles with them in the future.

This was my last trail race for the year, so I will start my training for the St. Jude Marathon (December 6th). The transition from trails to hardball means more speed, but also more aches and pains. After the marathon, its back to the trails for January 2009 edition of Swamp Stomper.

Well...shit.

First, overindulging on meat lovers pizza the night before a race is not a good idea. After many pit stops, I finally arrived at what I thought was the starting area with 20 minutes to spare. The problem was there was no one there! A quick call to my friend Cliff (sorry to wake you, Cliff!) and I find out that the race does not start until 8. Well...shit.

I am actually happy to be an hour and a half early. I had skipped my java at home and now had time to stop by Starbucks for my fix and to...well...you know.

It's 0700, so I have plenty of time to spare...and, well...stretch.

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