Motivation...what's that?

February 11-17, 2013             Total Miles: 12.2

February 18-24, 2013             Total Miles: 12.2

I am not sure what is causing this, but I am suffering from a severe lack of motivation.  I made it through two full weeks of runs, but I have really struggled to get out there.  After 3 pretty good sessions the first week, I decided to hit the trail for my first outdoor run in a long time.  The fact that it was 65 degrees outside in February (which is why property costs so dang much) didn’t hurt things either.  I made it through two miles and my right hip started to hurt.  By 2.5 miles I was in a pretty good amount of pain.  I hobbled back to the house and tried to figure things out.  I decided that it was the knee brace that was causing me to change my gait and that I would make a change to a smaller, less intrusive brace ad hope for the best.

I had a decent cold this past week which made breathing tough.  We had a cold snap so running outside was pretty much out of the question (unless I wanted to don cold gear, and I did not).  I made it through all 4 runs with a smaller brace but I am concerned as to whether or not it will help as the runs get longer. 

I signed up for the SF Giants Half again this year and so far that is the only race on the books. I am hoping that I can find my motivation soon and get serious about training again. 

Over before I start?

January 7 – January 13, 2013            Total Mileage:  21.71

I am still fighting nagging knee pain and it seems like nothing makes it better.  Rest, ice, elevation, compression…nothing seems to do the trick.  It’s not overly painful per se, just painful enough to be annoying.  All the doctor could tell me to do is get a brace for it (thanks doc, did I really have to come in for that?)  Hooray (sarcasm) a new brace!  As you can see in the photo, I am now ¾ man and ¼ braces.  I may as well be wearing running tights.  Nothing like a bulky knee brace to make things difficult.  It feels like I have to shorten my stride on my right side, which throws everything out of whack.  Hopefully I’ll figure out how to adjust.

I was in Portland this week for a meeting (one day) so I had the opportunity to get a run in while in Oregon.  I had hoped to go through a run downtown again but much like when I was in Denver last year, we had snow.  Since I was ill prepared for running in snowy conditions at 28 degrees, hotel gym it was.  Not the best treadmill in the world but it got the job done.  I was not able to hit Voodoo this time around (could not find anyone to go with me), but did eat over at the Kennedy School.  If you are ever in Portland you have to check this place out.

I’m probably going to hold mileage pretty constant for the next week or so, 1) to get my base back, and 2) to see if I can find a stride that will take pressure of my knees.  Here’s to hoping.

January 14 – January 20, 2013          Total Mileage:   13.2

January 21 – January 27, 2013          Total Mileage:   13.2

January 28 – February 10, 2013        Total Mileage:    0.00

Well, as you can see, hoping did not get me much.  After getting through a painful 2 weeks I decided to shut it down for a while.  I was trying to use the excuse of work (I’ve been working 5 to 5 most days) to make myself feel better, but I realized it was just denial.  My knee was swollen, and I needed to give it a rest.  So that is where I am right now.  I’ve put training on hold and want to be sure that I am healthy enough to run The Giant Race again (they have moved it up a few months this year).  I was hoping to get a full or at least a half in this summer, but even that looks like it will need to be shelved.  All in all I need to focus on the fact that I need to stay healthy because I want a second crack at CIM.

On a side note, props to Justin and Keri running a 10k on Super Bowl Sunday.  I was too busy watching my beloved 49ers lose (well that and eating a copious amount of food)