TNT Week 15 - 20 Miler!!

This past Saturday the North team met with the South team for our annual run in Cortland.  This year, I got to do my 20 miler there!  I was dreading it because in the past Harland would plan a route out 5 miles, and you'd have to go out and back twice.  It's not fun going out then getting back just to have to go out again.  lol...  So this year it was a 10 mile route out then back.  It made for a little more difficult of a run because eventually the road we run on gets quite hilly.

This turned out to be a decent run.  When I was 10 miles out I was ahead of the pace I wanted to be.  On the way back I started having a few issues.  At one point, around 16 miles, my right calf decided it wanted to send me a scare and cramped up just slightly.  If I hadn't stopped I would've gotten a full-blown cramp and would've had to walk the rest of the way back like I did in Lake Placid last year.  Luckily, it didn't get that bad, but when I had about 1/4 mile left it happened again.

I was hoping to do the run in under 4 hours.  At 10 miles out I was far ahead of that pace and felt good.  Because of my calf issue I had to slow down, but still made it back in 3:59:59!!  I was happy.  I was also extremely exhausted and could barely walk.  I have never hurt so much from running in my life.  It was the first time I took anything like Advil afterward.  Luckily, the next day I didn't feel too bad.  I think being up and out Saturday night helped with that.  The hot tub after my run couldn't have hurt either!!

TNT Weeks 13 and 14

Hello!
I just realized it has been a couple weeks since I've updated again.  Last week we ran as a team in the 10 mile Mountain Goat run in Syracuse.  This week it was 16 miles at Green Lakes and the Erie Canal.  Although, I will admit I only did 13 miles.  I know what you're thinking...  "only".  lol...

Last week and this week couldn't be any more different.  The Mountain Goat is a challenge in even the most ideal conditions.  Uphill climbs and downward descents that come in all forms.  Add to this an unseasonably hot and humid day, and you get an extremely difficult 10 miles.  I'm glad to say I made it to the end.  I didn't do better than last year, but didn't expect to.

Like I said, this week was much different.  The run on Saturday was cold and rainy (and today it's snowing!), and it involved the muddy trails of Green Lakes.  I'm not a big fan of running on trails, so it was difficult for me.  The conditions made it a lot worse, so I skipped out the last 3 miles.  Oh, and I was soaking wet and right after I finished my run the sun came out.  lol...

This week I'm going to get back on track.  My weekly runs have been lacking lately, but I need to keep on them if I'm going to get through my 20 miler in Cortland on Saturday.

TNT Weeks 11 and 12

It occurred to me that I didn't write anything about last weeks long run, on April 17th.  Myself, and many of my friends and team mates, ran the mountain goat training run.  While only 8 miles were planned by the organizers, some of us decided to do 9 or 10 miles.  I ended up doing 9 miles, and quickly found myself at the end of the group running with a stranger from Jordan-Elbridge.  The uphills lately have been tough for me, but I got through the run alright.

Yesterday was my longest mileage to date.  2 laps around Cazenovia Lake, for a total of 18.3 miles.  I felt pretty good and was definitely stoked to have completed that kind of mileage.  Not much else to really say about the run other than it's one of the nicest places to run, and the weather was absolutely beautiful!

TNT Week 10

This weeks run was a grueling 16 miles around Jamesville Reservoir.  I think that I can say beyond a shadow of a doubt that my surgery was a success.  The tingling comes back in my right foot on occasion, but not NEARLY as bad as it was before, and it never lasts.  During this run, all in all, I felt ok.  The hills were really what did me in, but I can't say I'm not prepared for the Mountain Goat run.

This week brought a couple of great running events into my life.  I signed up for my second marathon and am officially going to be part of the 35th annual Marine Corp Marathon in Washington, DC.  The other thing that happened was that I was asked if I would consider becoming the coach of the fall TNT team.  It's a good feeling to be asked, and an honor.  It's something I'm still contemplating but leaning toward doing.

TNT Week 9

So, I know it's been a few days since the run I am posting about now, but better late than never!  lol...  On April 3rd we had to do our long run on our own because of the Easter holiday.  Luckily, it seemed like half the team showed up to run at Green Lakes, including my usual small group of misfit runners!

This long run was 14 miles, which was actually the longest distance yet for me!  I've never done anything over a half marathon before, so it was quite an accomplishment.  I decided, after talking to other runners and reading The Penguin's blog, that I was going to try a walk/run approach for the rest of the season.  20 minutes running, 2 minutes walking, and so on.  It worked well, but because I don't care much for trails, my last 3 miles were a little rough.  But, despite the unseasonably hot day, I feel like I did well and I feel very accomplished to have done more than a half marathon.

Half way there!!!

TNT Week 8

This mornings run was ok.  Did 12 miles with the team out at Great Northern Mall.  The first 6 miles out were great, but the 6 back could've been better.  I don't know if it was motivation, lack of energy, the coughing fit I had at the turnaround, soreness, or all of the above.  Anyways, I'm a little sore and tired.  May use some ice later.  Next week is 14 without the team, although a bunch of us are going to get together.

TNT Week 7

This week's team run was great!  10 miles at Green Lakes State Park and also on the Erie Canal trail.  I wore shorts and a t-shirt despite it being a little chilly.  The hills were the only things keeping me from running the entire way, but I think that was pretty much the case for everyone.  If there's one thing we're prepared for, it's hills.  My legs and feet felt great, too.  I'm finally feeling good that the surgery actually worked.  lol... 

TNT Week 6

I've got one word for our week 6 run yesterday...  windy!  It still wasn't as bad as the run at Tara's last year, but still not a joyride.  I had the pleasure of doing 8 miles with Heather, Jeremy, and Christina.  We ran it in about 1:28 and had about an 11 minute pace.  Not too shabby for me to be able to hold a pace like that for 8 miles.

Yesterday I was also officially 5 months post-op.  The doctor said this week that it looks like I'm doing well and he's glad to see the surgery has been a success.  I'd say my healing is at about 85% and my running is well above where I was thi time last year.  In fact, I think I'm running even better than I was last September when I got my Half-Marathon and 5k personal bests.  It'll be interesting to see how I endure when I get into distances above 13.1.

Anyways, this season so far has been great.  Meeting a lot of new people both out running and hanging out in general.

Tipperary Hill Shamrock Run

Yesterday was our week 5 training run, and our first race as a team.  We all met up at our teammate's apartment on Tipp Hill, down the street from the infamous upside-down traffic light.  We couldn't have asked for better March weather for the race.  I think it was probably mid-30's and sunny, little wind.  The hills were great, and the PT I've been going through has helped a lot.  I do a lot of strength training, not only in my calves and feet, but in my thighs, hamstring, and glutes as well, which has been great for the hills.  My chip time was 43:12, a 10:48 pace.  This was up 5:10 from last year.

A few days ago, I was talking with my PT about moving down to once a week and he was all for it.  Even said I'd probably be done in a few weeks.  Yesterday's run was quite encouraging because I felt very little tingle in my right foot and I pushed myself pretty hard.

After the race, met up with most of the team again at the apartment, then met up with other friends down at Nibsy's.  Got a bite to eat before heading up to watch the SU game with even more peeps.

Now it's time to figure out how I'm going to go get my car up on the hill.  lol...

Team In Training Week 4

Well, today we battled through the snow for a nice run in Fayetteville.  I did 7 miles with a couple great people on my team, and it's good they were there to help push me, because the run was a challenge!  I fell between my goal of a 11-12 minute pace.  The hills really did a number on my legs, though.  Although, that's not really a bad thing.  I was still able to endure.  My feet didn't have any pain.  Just before the water stop at the turnaround 3 1/2 miles out, my right foot started to go numb.  I stopped for water and did a little bit of a stretch.  My foot felt fine on the way back.

This is still very encouraging to me to know that it's not as bad as it was before.  Before, it would go completely numb and would stay that way for about 5 miles.  So, I am very happy.  :-)

Much Better!

So tonight, a little over a month since my first run after surgery, I finally got a great run in.  I did a 4.28 mile training run and pushed myself a little harder than I have been.  Lately, I've been going for a pace between 11 and 12 minutes.  I've been closer to the 12 minute mark, but tonight had an 11:16 pace.  That's about what I did my last half marathon at.  It was a good run.

The best part of the run was that my arch pain didn't show it's ugly head!  Also, and most importantly, my right foot didn't go numb!!!  This is very encouraging to me since the last time I felt like I had a good run my right foot went numb.

I've still got a ways to go, but I can finally feel as though things are going to be fine.

Team In Training Week 3

Saturday brought me a nice run up (and down) a few nice hills that are part of the Mountain Goat.  I wasn't feeling very well, and didn't have much energy.  My 6 mile run quickly turned into 4 miles by the time I got to our first water stop.  My time was right where I've been aiming for lately.  Between 11 and 12 minute miles, so that's something good.  lol...

Next week we're in Fayetteville which should be a nice run.  Gotta work on feeling better this week so I can go out and do 7 miles.

Fundraiser #1

The Super Bowl fundraiser has been a huge success.  Thanks to the following people who have participated in it:  Kristen and Ryan Davis, Maureen Clark and Paul Madden, Rebecca and Calvin Crance, Alexius Jones, Caryl Kinney, Danielle Brown, Rebecca Burbank, Heather Gangemi, Mike Deaton, Kristy & Sean at J Ryan's, Kristy Kmack, Karen Summers, Courtney Merriman, Lisa Sheremeta, Tim Bryant, Yvonne Freeman and Dan Monti, Amber Atkinson, Steve Giardino, Tara Mahoney, Courtney Kimball, Km Buck, Demetri Andritsakis, Ray Oliver, Rich Pitcher, Katie Witcop, Ann Pitts, Cindy Mueller, Jim Pontius, and Brent Wansink.

Thanks to everyone, we were able to raise $482.50 for the LLS!!!  Thanks to Brent Wansink and Rebecca and Calvin Crance for donating some of their winnings back to the cause!

Team In Training Week 2

So, I'm 2 weeks into training for my marathon on June 6th.  I decided to start this blog for the purpose to talk about running, periodically update friends and family on my progress, and to announce fundraisers.

So today I had my second long run and tackled 5 miles.  Last week I found that my foot was still very sore and going numb again (for more info on that ordeal, go to my other blog at http://compartment-syndrome.blogspot.com/), so I got new sneakers and more comfortable socks.  My foot soreness felt a lot better today thanks to the new sneakers (special shout out to the great people at Fleet Feet Syracuse), but I was going numb again.

I remain optimistic about my recovery from my surgery.  I think with more stretching and training, things will fall into place.  The worse case scenario is that my feet continue to go numb, and even that won't stop me.  My doctor said before my surgery I could run like that if I could deal with the numbness.

That's it for now.  Take care,

~Matt