January 26-February 1

Definitely a much better week of training! I had some really good runs with no-pain! I did not get to run quite as far as I had hoped to on Saturday, but I am content. This week coming will be my last week of rehabbing(yippee!) and I will probably run a little bit more. Rehabbing will not totally end as I will continue to rehab and strengthen the lower adductor tendon and continue to do a great deal of stretching. My hope is that the soreness and tenderness in the muscle will eventually go away for good(i am very hopeful)!

Here are this week's results:

Monday; REST

Tuesday: 5 mi/44:00/Nice run w/Dan! I probably ran faster than I would like, but nevertheless, a great run! No-pain!














Wednesday: 4.4 mi/36:54/Great run! I had a hard time holding back and not running too hard!












Thursday: 6.2 mi/53:04/Awesome run! I could not figure out how far I wanted to run. I started out planning to run 4 miles on my usual flat course. I felt so good that I ran my hilly 6 mile route and I was able to run pretty hard coming in! My lower adductor is definitely getting much better!














Friday: REST

Saturday: 8.2 mi/1:11:27/Nice, long run that I wanted to be longer! Had some good hills going and coming. Shortened the run due to another long run planned for Sunday.















Sunday: 7.1 mi/1:06:45/Good, hilly run with Stefanie, great run Stef!























Weekly Miles: 30.9 mi

Definitely a great week of running! It has been awhile since I was able to run for one whole week pain-free! That is so uplifting! Also, it was a good feeling ending my week with two long runs, back-to-back! This week I plan to continue my weekly runs of 4 miles and I will probably increase one or two of those runs by adding a mile or two. I am not certain, but I am considering running a 10k on Saturday and if that happens, I will probably do a long run on Sunday. Hope everyone has had a good week of running!
LJ


**Please visit the MotionBased link to see more information about each of my runs this week!**

January 19-January 25

This week was a good week of REST! I chose not to do anything and to sit back and relax. A little rest never hurt anybody. I am a huge proponent of rest and whenever I get the opportunity to do so, I take advantage of it!

Here are this week's results:

Monday-Friday: REST

Saturday: Polar Bear Run(3.1 mi)/22:00/Wow, first 5k in forever. It was a very good run. I was hoping to be under 21 minutes, but did not make it. Oh well, still a good run with no pain!











Sunday: 8.4 mi/1:11:57/Nice, easy long run! Took my time and just enjoyed the cool weather. The run was pain-free and had a good bit of hills(see elevation chart below).


























Sunday Elevation Chart

Weekly Miles: 11.5 mi

**Please visit the MotionBased link to see more information about each of my runs this week!**

Although I did not get many miles in this week, I am very happy with the results of not running. I also took a break from my physical therapy and plan to get back at it this week, starting Monday morning. Sunday's run was a very good one. I had originally planned to just go out and run a 10 miler till I let my wife know what I was doing. She was not too happy with me as she still believes that I need to be resting and running very few miles. Hopefully, she will not be looking at my blog this week and will not notice the 8 miler today! Oh well, life goes on. Hope everyone has had a nice productive week and got a few more miles in than myself. If not, so be it, you got this week to redeem yourself!

Have a SUPER week of running!
LJ

Why I run...

Has your day ever started out rough and ended even worse? Wow, there are days when I get home and I wonder, how in the world did I make it through the day?

There is one thing that helps me cope and continues to amaze me every single time I go out. It gives me so much joy and contentment. The last 6 months have been extremely difficult for me as I continue to cope with an injury. Throughout this coping time, I have realized how much it means to me and how important it is to listen to my body.

Running is a gift that I do not take for granted. I will get over this injury and soon get back to my normal running and start training for my 15th marathon. There is HOPE!

KEEP RUNNING!

LJ

January 12-January 18

Another good week of rehabbing and I was able to get in a few more miles this week. I actually had a really nice long run on Saturday which I ran solo. Probably could have slowed down a bit, but still a nice run. This week should be much of the same as I continue to rehab and put in the miles. I will probably continue my 4 miles as usual. I added a new file to my blog this week. Basically, it shows my pace for each of the miles to help me stay within my boundaries as far as taking it easy.

Here are this week's results:

Monday: REST

Tuesday: 4.3 mi/36:54/Wow, a very refreshing run! It was very hard holding back as I was really wanting to run hard. I did not even feel any soreness when running hills today.












Wednesday: 4.3 mi/38:06/Nice, easy run! I slowed down from the previous day and tried to take it easy.












Thursday: REST


Friday: REST

Saturday: 8 mi/1:09:46/Nice, long run! I felt great and this was my first run with some hills. Did not experience any pain when running the hills and I kept a decent pace on them!

















Sunday: 4.3 mi/37:22/Nice, very easy run! I took my time and just relaxed and worked on my form. Felt great considering I ran an 8 miler the day before.












Weekly Miles: 20.9 mi

**Please visit the MotionBased link to see more information about each of my runs this week!**

This week will be an easy week for me for the most part. On Saturday, I am planning to run in a local 5k(Polar Bear Run). I am not expecting to break any records and I will probably just take it easy. I am running with a couple of buddies of mine. Looking forward to another good week of rehabbing and I hope to get in a few more miles. Since I am running a 5k on Saturday, I will have to figure out when I can get a long run in. Hope everyone had a great week!
LJ

January 5-January 11

Whew! What a long week and that was with Monday being an off day for teachers! I guess after being off for two whole weeks, it would be rough for anyone getting back to normal. Anyway, on to running. I once again, am still trying to rehab my lower adductor and pretty excited about the results. I was able to get up bright and early most of the week and hit the gym with some rehabbing. I fell short later in the week, but still able to get some good running in.

Here are this week's results:

Monday: REST

Tuesday: 4.1 mi/36:08/Wow, easy run that should have been easier. I ran a minute faster than previous 4 milers. Felt well
rested after 1 day of rest!










Wednesday: REST

Thursday: 2.8 mi/23:53/Wow, ran a fast run that felt great with no pain. Probably should not have ran so fast!











Friday: REST

Saturday: 7.1 mi/1:04/Great run with Dan, Allen and Josh! Ran a very comfortable pace and I was well-rested!










Sunday: 4.3 mi/36:01/Wow, another great run with no-pain and it was after a long run the day before!













Weekly Miles: 18.3 mi

**Please visit the MotionBased link to see more information about each of my runs this week!**

As you can see, I am making some progress and I am getting pretty excited about my running again! As I ran today, I noticed my speed coming back and I had to really concentrate to hold back and not over-do it. This week, I will stick to my plan and continue to rehab and do physical therapy. I will also continue my 4 mile runs this week. My weekend run may be a long one if I am feeling good, much longer than this week's long run! I would like to congratulate my brother, BJ for finishing his 2nd marathon (BankTrust First Light Marathon) today in Mobile, AL! Way to go BJ!

Hope everyone has had a GREAT start to 2009!

KEEP RUNNING!!
LJ

December 29-January 4

Happy New Year's to all!!

I did not get a whole lot of miles in this week, but I am so excited to be back at it! I was able to get my first run in from over a month on Thursday! I ran with a good buddy of mine and probably ran harder than I should. I definitely ran further than I was expecting and we did not even run as far as planned. When we started running, we were planning on an 8 miler, but I had to step in and listen to my body. Most of the week I was doing some physical therapy and just resting.

Here are this week's results:

Monday: REST

Tuesday: REST

Wednesday: REST

Thursday: 6.4 mi/1:00:11/First run in over a month. Nice, easy run. Was not in any pain, but did feel some soreness in the
lower adductor.



Friday: REST

Saturday: 4.1 mi/37:22/Nice, easy run and I got caught in the rain. I started some new physical therapy and it seems to be
helping. Ran pain-free.



Sunday: 4.3 mi/38:49/Nice, easy run. 2 runs in two days. It was a pain-free run with lot's of stretching beforehand.



Weekly Miles: 14.8 mi

**Please visit the MotionBased link to see more information about each of my runs this week!**

Definitely a good week of getting back at it. I found some really good stuff on the internet that I am trying as far as rehabbing my lower adductor and dealing with the tendinitis. Also, I found my stick that I haven't used in years and I can tell you now, it is making a big difference. I used the stick a few years ago when I was having hamstring problems and it made a huge difference. I am certain that it will help with the lower adductor issues that I am having. I have also found some new stretches that should help greatly as well. Hope everyone is off to a GREAT year and keeping those New Year's resolutions!

KEEP RUNNING IN 2009!
LJ