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