8 Days of Workouts and Runs Come to an End -- 8/25

The Raleigh 8000 looked bleak for a while.  Last weekends runs were soul crushers and left me riddled with doubt.  I workout and ran for eight straight days in hopes of getting close to a acceptable fitness level so that I might complete the race.  By Wednesday night, I still was suffering from massive self doubt and hoping that Hurricane Irene would cause the run to be canceled.  I've never before felt like this before an event.  That night I shared my dread with Hiroko, and she told me "don't worry, come race day you'll start feeling excited.  It might hurt a lot, but you finish the race, and it will help you get your confidence back."  Immediately, I started to feel better.  Her faith in me steadied my nerves and helped me to relax.

Thursday morning, I forced myself to get up early and run the 5 mile training run on my half marathon training schedule.  The run wasn't good or bad.  It was just a run, and I tried to focus on my music and the predawn city and not worry about my lungs or legs.  The miles clipped of rather quickly and I felt like for the first time that I might be getting back on track.  By the last mile, I thought that it just be time to post this song on my blog enjoy:

Back in black,
I hit the sack,
I've been too long I'm glad to be back,
Yes I'm let loose,
From the noose,
That's kept me hanging about.

I've been looking at the sky,
'Cause it's gettin' me high,
Forget the hearse 'cause I never die.

I got nine lives,
Cat's eyes,
Abusin' every one of them and running wild.

'Cause I'm back,
Yes, I'm back,
Well, I'm back,
Yes, I'm back,
Well, I'm back, back,
Well, I'm back in black,
Yes, I'm back in black . . . .


5 miles 52:17.15 10:27

1 10:47
2 9:54
3 10:41
4 10:37
5 10:15

A Bad Day Running is Better Than Dealing With a Dystopian Life Clock (8/21)

Is my life clock blinking red?  Honestly, fed up with feeling like hell when I run.  To say this run sucked is a vast understatement.  I went out to Umstead for the first time in God know.  And it was a total shit show.  I planned on running 5, but that was pure fantasy.  The first mile was alright, but right around mile two everything went to hell.  My legs kept moving, but I was running on a glorious combination of personal pride and stupidity.  By 2.6 miles, I actually felt dizzy and had to stop.  On the way back, I was just hoping that I didn't fall down, and I stopped again at 3.3 mile.  I only used one of my inhalers prior to this run, which was just effin' stupid!  At four miles, I finally wised up and called it a day and walked back to my car.  Meh!

 4 miles in 44:22.78 (minus the stops) for 11:06 pace
1 10:26.49
2 11:17.03
3 12:06.95
4 10:32.04

A Bad Day Running is Better Than Dealing With The Guy Who's Clearly Hiding a Zombie Bite (8/20)

No idea what is up with me recently, maybe I've been bitten by zombies?  No, idea.  But my recent runs have been a struggle.  I don't feel as much constriction as I had in the past, but something is clearly off with my breathing.  Saturday, I tried to run without hitting my inhalers before the run.  Mistake.  I felt like rubbish by the second mile and had to stop in the middle of the second mile.  I paused old Bob so the times below only reflect the time that I ran.  The odd thing is that I am not coughing, wheezing, or gasping for air.  I just feel like I am not taking in enough oxygen.  One good thing is that the weather here has been just awesome, so at least there is that. 

I ran 3 miles in 30:47.09 for a 10:15

Mile 1 9:56.03
Mile 2 10:01.69
mile 3 10:48.02

Good Run on Garbage Day: 8-18

This run was my best effort since my return to running.  I hoped that I would be a sign of steady improvement, but I'll give you a spoiler of future posts -- this run was a bit of a tease, and the ones the have followed seem to be minor steps backward.  But, before I get too far ahead let me talk about this run.  I got up early and ran before work.  The sun was up but the streets were quiet for the most part.  It was trash pick up day for most of the neighborhoods that I was running trough and the garbage trucks were out adding to fragrance of the morning.  Maybe it was the bouquet of the dumpsters and bins or god just has a sense of humor because my breathing was close to normal for most of this run.  In addition, my legs felt good as well.  I did use my inhaler prior to the run, which may have contributed to it's success.  Also, my state of mind was pretty positive as well because I was really happy to have gotten up early like I had planned.  I am a firm believer that runs, which begin with a good mental state have a significantly higher rate of success than those that don't.  However, I sometimes lose track of this when I am beginning my run. 
I am happy to say that it is starting to feel like I am really training for my half marathon.  Of course my health is not where I want it to be, but I am running, and that is the important detail that I mustn't loose sight of at this time.  The half is two months from now, and I'll be ready or I won't.  Worrying about it not really is pointless because I just need to focus on where I am now and not where I may or may not be on October 15th.  Granted, that is easier said than done, but I am trying to stay focused.   

the Garbage Day 4 miler 41.48.52 for a 10.25 pace

1) 10.07.84
2) 10.06.62
3) 10:56.48
4) 10:30.97

Steady Imporvement: 8/16

Ok, this run felt better.  It started out rough but each mile got easier, which is the opposite of how things have gone recently.  Also, my splits were within under two seconds of one another.   I am still having some tendon tightness when I am not running, but they are fine as I run.  I am worrying less about the effects of the Levaquin with each run, but I am still having a soreness in my lower legs of which I need to be aware.  I've been hitting the inhalers that I was prescribed before I exercise, which has help my breathing.  Overall this was the best three miles I have done since late June.  I don't want to say I am back because I'm afraid that I'll jinx myself; also, I have gotten pretty soft over the last month and look like my personal trainer was the Pillsbury Dough-boy.  I need to get back into X-training in the worst kind of way.

 Here is one of my favorite songs to listen to while I run.  It seems really fitting for this post for many reasons.



 Today's run was3 miles in  30:57.44 for a 10:18 pace.

Mile One 10:18.05
Mile Two 10:17.33
Mile Three10:18.63

Ups & Downs of a Return to Running: 8-14-11

I planned on resting on Sunday after Saturday's run but was seduced into changing my mind by near perfect weather.  My legs were sore from the previous day's three miles; however, most of the soreness was in my quads rather than my feet and ankles.  This came as a great relief to me and even though I am still worried about the ill effects of the Levaquin I was on, I am confident that, with caution, I'll be able to run and avoid some of the nastier side effects. 

I once again took my I-pod with me on Sunday's run in order to avoid some of my more paranoid thoughts.  Also, NC State students were moving back in this weekend for the fall term and the I-pod helps deter people from yelling at you from their car as you run along the side walk.  Granted, it doesn't eliminate the problem -- some people are just committed to proving what a dumb-ass they are regardless if you will hear them or not, but it does help.  

This run was a bit of a struggle.  It started out well, and the first mile was pretty good.  The second mile was more of a struggle and caused me to stop and walk around the block before running out the last mile.  My chest is still constricting badly after the first mile, which combined with soreness in my quads, forced me to stop and walk a bit before running the last mile.  Still, despite the breathing issues, I feel like I made some improvement with this run. And, I can't wait for my next run on Tuesday.

Runnin' in the Rain -- 8/13

The temperature has finally settled in to the 80's, and I am just loving it.  I doubt that we are done with the killer heat that has driven me to the brink of madness, but I'll take whatever respite is offered.  Following Tuesday's run my leg were stiff and sore.  So much so that any idea of running of Wednesday was just  complete folly.  Hiroko was planning to have her wisdom teeth removed on Thursday, so I decided to wait until Saturday for my first run in-order to take care of her.  This would mean that I would have been off Levaquin for a whole week and might not be in as much danger of suffering it ill effects.  Due to a mix up with the doctor's office Hiro's surgery was delayed until Friday, but I stuck to my plan because my quads were in full on riot mode.

Hiro surgery went well, and I was able to sneak out for a run around mid morning.  The temperature was just awesome -- right around 82 degrees.  My legs were still a bit sore, but felt much more normal than they had on Tuesday.  I had very little discomfort in my achiillies tendons.  The Plantar tendons were a little worse, but neither was anywhere near as bad as they had been on Tuesday.  I was able to run with a normal stride which put a lot less stress on the rest of my body. 
About a mile into the run the sky just opened up and started pouring rain down on me, but I just didn't care.  I kept on running.  I was running with my I-pod for the first time in months in hopes that the music would take my mind off of all of my health concerns.  Granted, running in the rain may not seem that wise, considering my recent battles with the flu and sinus infections, but I knew that I would be fine as long as I changed out of my wet clothes when I got home, which I did.  The first two miles were just fine, but the last mile sucked.  I wasn't coughing or spitting up any of the grossness that I had over the recent weeks, but my chest was tight and I felt as if I were doing a Giles Corey impersonation.  I stopped running right at three miles and called it a day!

3 miles 31.23.79 10:27 pace

1 10:30.55
2 10.01.72
3 10:49.70

Levaquin . . . not fun! -- 8/8/11

Here is an update from my last post:  I spoke with my doctor about Levaquin on Friday, and he took me off the medication. The doctor told me when he gave it to me that it may increase my heart rate, but it really began to race the more I took it. Thursday night was bad. Also, I started feeling a lot of soreness in my achilles, my feet, and a little in my elbow. The doctor said I was certainly having a reaction and gave me a new prescription but said that I should wait till Monday to get it filled, since I had done 7 day of the old one, and it may have been enough to shake the infection.  I ended up not getting it fill and other than a little stuffiness and a very slight roughness to my voice the sinus infection has healed.  However, I am now feeling a lot of tightness in my lower legs and feet.  There is some infrequent popping and clicking as well.  I have everything taped up and have been using the frozen H2o bottle and ice bag.  my cat, Basil, loves watching me roll the water bottle under my feet, but other than his considerable cuteness, this kind blows! It will take a week to get the levaqin out of my system and during that time I need to be worried about tendonitis.
I have no idea if the shortness of breath will continue once I begin to run again, but if my luck holds up, I am sure it will.  As for Levaquin, it is now on my list of medications, which should be avoided and I would highly suggest that anyone else avoid it they can.  Honestly, I would rather have not taken anything than have taken that poison! 

Paranoia Sets In, But With Good Reason -- advice needed: Aug 4th

Hypochondria, FDA warnings, Internet rants, and nearly two months of shitty-shitty luck are making me paranoid as hell.  Here is the deal -- I had planned on beginning my training for my first half marathon (Neuse River Bridge Run) next week.  However, as you may well know if you are one of my regular readers, I have been sick for most of the last six weeks.  Currently, I am on a bunch of drugs, which have me feeling a lot better but still not nearly 100%.  Also on of the drugs I am on is Levofloxacin the generic form of Levaquin, which has a nasty habit of turning tendons in dried twigs and producing spontaneous tendon ruptures.  I remembered reading  a post by Adam about an antibiotic that he was on a few months back and the two are in the same family: Levofloxacin is Cipro's bastard cousin.

Paranoia Agent

Compounding my paranoia is the fact that I have had plantar fasciitis problems in the past and usually KT the heck out of my feet and ankles just as a precaution, which I plan to do once I start running.  I only have four days left on the antibiotic and doubt if asking my doctor to change at this point is worth it.  Plus, it does seem to be helping with my illness, which already survived a Z Pack.  Also, I'm beginning to worry about my readiness for my half marathon because I lost most of July to this illness.  Granted in June I was way ahead of where I needed to be and was already doing nine mile long runs.  I think that if I can shake my illness, I might be able to get back into the train groove quickly. 

I guess my questions are how worried should really be about the Levofloxacin?  Has any of you had any experience with this drug?

Also, do you think that I should adjust my training program to a 8 or 9 week schedule?  I have seen a lot of 9 week programs, if I went two 8weeks I could use the next two weeks to ease myself into working out, but do you think 8 weeks is enough time? Any advice would be a huge help.

12 days of Christmas, The Fires of Hell, Relapse, and Hope: 7/27-7/31

Wednesday morning began well with another run to the gym and 12 Days of Christmas workout.

1. Lap around the indoor track (1/15 of a mile)
2. Step up (each leg)
3. Fire Hydrant (each leg with a leg extension)
4. Dips
5. Push ups
6. Bicycles
7. Prisoner Squats (with an elbow to knee leg raise on each side)
8. Russian Twists w/ 6lb weighted ball
9. Side oblique crunches (each side)
10. Standard Crunch
11. Crossover Crunch (each side)
12. Bird Dogs

 I still had some of the tightness in my chest that had lingered from my bout with the flu, but I felt that progress was being made overall.  However, as the day went on, my voice began to get hoarse and around noon my student worker asked me if I was feeling well.  I wasn't.  I took some Dayquil that I had in the office, my voice was getting rough and sinuses were beginning to clog up.  That night I took some NiQuil and headed to bed early.  However, we had to run the AC all night because the Fires Of Hell have engulfed Raleigh this summer: According the the Daily Beast Raleigh is the third hottest city in America this summer.  When, I woke my throat was worse and my sinuses were a total mess.  I was feeling bad and should have stayed home from work, but having missed so much time earlier with the flu, I chose to go to work.  I made it through the day but progressively got worse.  My whole left side of my face was stuffed up.  I continued with the over the counters and made plans to take Friday off, which was a very good thing because Thursday night was wretched.

With my sinuses clogged, I was forced to breathe in through my mouth, which caused my cough to return with a vengeance.  The night was pure hell and even though I didn't tell Hiroko, I contemplated going to the ER because the pain in my ribs from coughing was so bad.  After three hours of coughing, I was at last able to go to sleep.  Friday morning, I went to the doctor, who after running several respiratory tests prescribed a steroid inhaler, another round of antibiotics (10 days this time), told me to go back to taking the codeine cough medicine I had been taking with my first flu bout, and sent me for some chest x-rays, which were negative. 
Currently, I am still waiting for my sinuses to completely clear, my breathing is improved but still not anywhere near normal, but the best thing is that my coughing has gone away.  However, the most disconcerting thing is the soreness in my ribs and back.  I am not really sure what to make of it and I know that there several reasons why it could be so prevalent, most of which are nothing to be concerned about, but with the way things have gone over the last six weeks . . . . ?????????

Honestly, I am trying to be hopeful that these new medications will have me sorted out and back on the road to recovery, but there is part of me that is more than a little worried that something might really be amiss.  It has been a long times since, I have been this sick foe such an extended period of time, which has me more than a little unnerved.  However, whenever I start to feel sorry for myself and feel like throwing myself a pity party I think about the way Red handled the ordeal with her stress fracture and it has steeled my resolve not to wallow in self pity. At least not yet anyway! ;)

Monday Maintenance: 7/18

I am still not up to snuff, but in an attempt to get back on track I went to the gym on Monday to do some maintenance work with my legs, which have been getting tight over the last few weeks.  I rode my bike to work and to the gym after work and could still feel my chest constricting.  I tried to run on the dread mill but could only get in a mile after the two mile bike ride.  I then did some abs and some exercises to strengthen my legs and hips.  I tried not to leave the gym discouraged, but the timing of this illness has coincided with some personal disappointments, so it has been a bit of a tough patch.  However, I am hopeful that things are getting better.

 

Surviving July: 7/14

I used to love July.  My birthday is July 7th, My Aunt's Birthday is July 6th, my best friend's birthday is July 8th, and July 4th is America's birthday, and the month was always filled with long summer days that seemed to stretch out like a giant lazy yawn.  But, over the last two years, I've begun to wonder if July isn't my albatross -- a burden to be suffered through as penance for my years of sloth and inactivity.

In the poem, an albatross starts to follow a ship — being followed by an albatross was generally considered an omen of good luck. However, the titular mariner shoots the albatross with a crossbow, which is regarded as an act that will curse the ship (which indeed suffers terrible mishaps). To punish him, his companions induce him to wear the dead albatross around his neck indefinitely (until they all die from the curse, as it happens).

Last July, I was dealing with plantar fasciites and was unable to run.  I had to watch other people enjoying the month with tons of out door activity while I trudged through some boring laps swims in an over chlorinated pool at the Y.  This year, the month is slipping away from me because of the after effects of a nasty bout of the flu, which leads me to wonder if the gods are not forcing me to wear July around my neck for all the July's that I needlessly wasted in the same fashion that Coleridge's Mariner was forced to wear the Albatross that he needlessly killed.  Honestly, I doubt that I am cursed, but it has been a cruel coincidence that I've been out of action for the last two July's.

Thursday's I tried to get back to running, and it was a giant shit-show.  It wasn't as bad as Sunday's run, but that isn't saying much.   I ran the same course and just felt awful.  I was able to run 2.81 miles at something akin to a snails pace, and it hurt.  My lungs weren't as constricted as on Sunday, but they still didn't feel anything close to normal.  My legs were also garbage -- tight from inactivity and sore from laying about too much.  And, most distressing was my lack of energy.  I was completely fatigued after 2 miles and was only able to go farther because it was mainly downhill.

Now, I would be lying through my teeth if I said that getting sick and being unable to run hasn't led me to suffer some minor bouts of depression, but mentally I feel like I am handling it alright.  I've had the flu before, but it that was during my sedentary life, and I wasn't effected by the lingering effects of the flu beyond the annoying lingering cough.  But, now so much of my inner well being is tied to running and being active that I am keenly aware of linger physical toll that a bout with the flu can take on the body.  I have been reading lost of articles about post flu symptoms and recovery, and everything that I am going through is normal.  Although I am still tempted to get down on myself for being lazy, I know that this is physical and not mental.  I need to give my body time to recover.  This is nothing compared to the effects of mono or my concussion, both of which took over six months to pass, so with some patience, I'll be back at it in time to start my training for the half.  But for now, July needs to be endured.

Do any of you have a bad luck month where injuries or illnesses always seem to strike?