Week 4 - Running with one arm sucks

Jan 22 - Jan 28

Total Distance - 12 miles

Weight - 216.4

Got in and saw the ortho about my shoulder.  Good news is that it the initial diagnosis is a shoulder sprain.  Bad news is that there is nothing that you can do for it, just don't go lifting heavy things.  I am fine as long as I don't reach down, or move my shoulder in a downward motion.  I have pretty much figured out a running motion, but it is really hard running and focusing on not moving your arm a certain way, but life will go on.

This is the first week where I stepped it up to four runs.  Right now I am feeling a little fatigued, but not as bad as I thought.  Truth be told my legs hurt worse from being on a ladder all afternoon (stupid leaky window) then they did after today's run. 

I ran the same 4 mile loop that I ran last week, only this time I was pushing my son in a stroller.  I ran a few minutes slower and could definitely tell that pushing an extra thirty plus pounds had an effect.  I am glad that I have two days to recover from this week.

I continued to focus on pacing this week and aside from today's run I ran the others very consistently.  Now just to keep running with out injuries. (I forgot my shin split straps for a run this week, but for the first time in a long time, no harm came from it.)

Promising week overall, now I just need to build off it.

Week 3 - Apparently lessons from elementary school PE still ring true

January 15 - 21

Total Distance - 10.25 miles

Weight - 217.0

One of the first things the PE teacher said when we ran on Fridays was "Pace Yourself."  Apparently this advice holds just as much weight now as it did then.  I had realized that I was going out really fast and had been comparing my first mile of each run to the day before.  This week I set a goal to be around 11:30 for each mile knowing (er...hoping) that I will be able to decrease the average over time.  I had a good week and stayed right around this pace.  I extended my long run for the week to 4.25 miles (not much I know, but we all have to start somewhere).

I also have decided on a goal shift for total distance.  I will now be focusing on a half rather than a whole marathon.  Crazy hours at work, two kids, etc.  I was beginning to feel "over train" coming on and it has become apparent that I need to build up by base more before I go for the gusto.  The goal is to run a half in July / August then see where things go.

Week 2 is in the books

Jan 8 - Jan 14

Mileage - 9.1 miles

Weight - 220.4

Well I am officially part of the great American health care machine. I have now seen the MD, have been sent for X-rays and will be seeing a specialist. Yea! (In pure sarcastic tones)

I almost have no range of motion in my arm, and as soon as I put any rotation into my shoulder a sharp shooting pain goes right into the bicep. I guess that I will have to hang up my dream of being a MLB relief pitcher. Possibly tendinitis, possibly a small tear to the rotator cuff, or possibly option C: anything else.

I have figured out a way to run and keep my arm from getting the shooting pain. I imagine that it looks awkward but I do not want to have to take time off. Pain is just weakness transitioning to awesomeness…right…

One run on the treadmill and 2 outside this week.  My run today was rough.  After the run yesterday I decided to switch from the Vibrams to my Sauconys to see if I can relive some of the stress on my calves.  Nope.  I tried a trail that I have not been on before.  Which was all well and good until I got to the part where there were multiple hills.  Not the best idea when you do not really have use of one arm to help push, and your legs are already tired.  Oh well, live and learn.  I plan on trying to move it up to 4 runs next week to see if my legs can handle it.

Frustration with a Capital F

Jan 1 - Jan 7


Total Mileage - 9 miles


Weight 221.0


Ran all 9 miles this week on the treadmill with pretty consistent times in the 33:30 - 35:00 min mark.  Not where I want to be, but I understand it to be early on and this will decrease in time.  All mileage was on the treadmill (the gym at work is so much warmer then outside at 5:30 am) and a lot safer due to the high fog in Roseville.  Tuesday I felt great, Wednesday I was a little tired, by the end of the run on Thursday I was glad that I had Friday off as I was headed toward serious fatigue. 

I have been dealing with Shoulder and Neck pain off and on for three weeks and before the Saturday run it hurt to the point that I could not rotate my shoulder, or have any movement in the bicep without significant pain. I decided that I did not want to get 2 miles from the house, have the pain be too much to tolerate and then have to walk home. I decided to sit things out until I can get to the Dr. next week.

It is frustrating that I could not make it a week before I had to shut it down due to injury. Thankfully it is not a running injury this time, but it is frustrating none the less. So I did what I always do when I get frustrated. I eat. Yep, I am an emotional eater. Now that it is out there, I just need to change the behavior. I have gotten better, but unfortunately, better is no longer good enough.

Hopefully I can get into the Dr. next week, and this is nothing major…