All New to Me

Now that I have the news and the morning Projections postings out of the way, I guess I can go back to writing all about me. My favorite subject. Or I could write a story to post on another blog; perhaps my Working blog? But first, all about me. The hip and foot pain returns every day. Gathering in intensity. Some days are better than others, but still the slide is downwards. I have asked for a referral to a neurosurgeon and now I am waiting for that office to call. I had no idea that modern medicine involved so much ‘waiting’. But, then again, I’ve had very little contact with modern medicine. Until now. I don’t think I like it.

I must now talk to a neurosurgeon as I have to explore all of my options. The cortisone injection worked for a week or so and then the slide began. And when I talked to the pain clinic last week, they recommended? two procedures; my choice – cortisone again, good for a week or? Or radiofrequency lesioning. That’s a heating of the nerve to form scar tissue which will block pain signals for up to 3 years. Up to. That’s the kicker. I want it gone forever. I want to do another marathon. Heck, I want to do a simple 5K! And what’s with this giving me all of these options? I want someone to tell me what’s best. I didn’t go to medical school. I’m not qualified to decide what’s best in all cases. And so I wander from doctor to doctor, looking for an answer.

Exercise?

I suppose it would be in order for me report how I am feeling these days after the cortisone injection. Better is the key word. Most of the plantar fasciitis pain is gone and I can say that the hip pain is better. Not gone, but bearable. There is some sharp pain when I first wake and stand up and I have been experiencing that for quite some time; I think it’s an elder thing anyway. The only real pain occurs at the end of the day, especially when I have been enjoying some pool time with the kids and overdo the exercise. I also think that’s to be expected and if I were smart I would just take it easy. For pain, I am still taking ibuprofen and acetaminophen but staying away from the Vicodin for now. I want to save that for the morning of the next scheduled injection. The pain relief drug they injected me with was insufficient for the task last time and I want to be better prepared.

Could it be that I am getting close to getting in some real exercise? I'm afraid to try any real walking; no training! But perhaps if someone helps me get the bicycle down, I could try that?

As Promised

After having that cortisone injection in my back yesterday, I’m feeling a little better this morning. The plantar fasciitis symptoms in my left foot are down to a pain level of 2 where they were at a 6 or 7 up to the time of the injection. That is so good! The right hip pains have moderated as well.

Isn’t that odd that arthritic compression around the nerves in the spinal column can cause pain of two different types and on opposite sides? Am I cured? Not yet. The cortisone was given to try and identify the nerve that was causing the problem. Another visit will be required to actually block the signal from that nerve. Despite the pain from the actual injection, I'm looking forward to it. But that's 2 weeks away at least.

In the meantime, my right hip feels 'fragile', as if I shouldn't strain it. So I will avoid the temptation to see just how far I could walk. There will be a marathon next year. But, to be on the safe side, I really need to get my 5 marathon tattoos done; I'll get the 6th one afterward.

Pain Updates

I’m back from my first trip to the pain clinic. What fun! What pain! (Is this what old age is all about?) Dr. Lal is quite young and obviously fit; he is a rock climber. I envy him. He also has quite a practice; he’s a very busy man. I joined half a dozen others that were being processed through the back room where the treatment table with a fluoroscope is located. Up on the table, a quick IV shot of pain meds; roll over onto your stomach and then a local anesthetic. Wait just a second and then the search for the offending nerve, using a much larger needle. JEEKERS! He found it…twice. Then it’s about 30 minutes before I could walk again. Now that I’m home, I’m waiting for a miracle. I’ve been told that it could take a few weeks. Grrr!

What was the absolute worst part? The fact that they put me into a wheelchair until I recovered enough to walk. I had this vision of myself being in such a chair forever. I didn’t like it. At heart I'm still a marathoner.

Darn it!

I’m still wondering about my future. Will I ever do another marathon? Should I get an opinion from a surgeon? Should I give up the acupuncture and go for pain relief by more traditional methods? Here’s my problem; I’ve defined who I am by what I do. I became an athlete, a racewalker. I did 5 full marathons and dozens of shorter races, ranging from 1 mile to half marathon distances. I trained for ¾ of each year and loved the thought that I was going to be a different kind of elder citizen. An active one that defied the conventional beliefs about elderhood. I wanted to be racing at the age of 90. But now…who am I? I have no identity. I’m just another old guy who’s in a lot of pain and walks slowly.

OK, it’s just a moment or two of pessimism. I will get over it.

What's happening...revised

Update: I now have a very much revised diagnosis for that hip pain and so my marathon plans are changing. After three weeks of physical therapy with only minor improvement, I went back to the doctor and asked for another evaluation. An MRI revealed that I had arthritic deterioration of the lumbar and sacral vertebrae at L4, L5 and S1. All of which was narrowing the channel, the foramen, where the sacral nerve is located. My original thought that the pain was caused by my recent training activity was all wrong. The pain was caused by an activity that happened 40+ years ago, when I was a ‘sheetrocker’. All of those 4’x12’ sheets of drywall that I used to lift have come back to haunt me.

I can’t undo the past. Apparently, I’m stuck with just a few options; surgery or pain management. For the moment, I’ve decided that pain management is the route I want to take while I explore the surgery options. Apparently, there are all sorts of surgical methods to fix this. (Radiculopathy) But it’s hard to think clearly about them when you’re in pain. In the meantime, while I wait for an appointment with the pain doctor, I’m taking acetaminophen and Vicodin, neither one of which does much for the pain.

Back to the subject of marathons; this year’s marathon is not going to happen for me. I’m sad about it, but I’m trying hard to visualize myself in Portland next year. It can happen.

Here's what's happening...

OK, I have been to the doctor and he agrees with my self diagnosis; I have Piriformis Syndrome. Now I have to see the physical therapist and I'm hoping that will be soon. Very soon. I went directly from the doctors office to the therapists and got the papers to fill out. Now I have to wait for a phone call this morning. I can't begin to tell you how much this hurts and how badly I want to be rid of it!

It's all very frustrating, but if I can obtain a fairly rapid 'cure', I'm still on for the Portland Marathon. It's been just a little over two weeks since I gave up training and if I can get back onto the path in a another two weeks, I think I will be good to go for a late September marathon.

The good news from the doctor was the fact that I had lowered my cholesterol levels dramatically. Exercise and oatmeal. It's the "Secret".

Mobile post sent by Steven using Utterz.  Replies.  mp3

Mobile post sent by Steven using Utterz.  Replies.  mp3

Mobile post sent by Steven using Utterz.  Replies.  mp3

Mobile post sent by Steven using Utterz.  Replies.  mp3

Oh, no!

I’m going to be out and walking again this morning. I’m on a roll now and I have a new spreadsheet to help me keep track of my progress. I wish I didn’t need to be motivated by Excel; it would be great if it just came naturally. If I would wake up in the morning and really want to get out in the cold and do 10 miles! But… that doesn’t happen; I actually limp; moaning and groaning, feeling the pain and hoping that it’s raining too hard to go out. Or too foggy. Or too sunny.

Mobile post sent by Steven using Utterz.  Replies.  mp3

Mobile post sent by Steven using Utterz.  Replies.  mp3

Now that's fast!

I have finished a good 5.75 mile practice session in the park and I did it in 78 minutes; a 13.56 minute/mile average. Not the fastest, but certainly good enough for early training. And I did it without a lot of the pain that I’ve been experiencing lately. I have self diagnosed the problem as piriformis syndrome. “Some physicians believe that piriformis syndrome is the name given to hip/buttock pain that cannot be otherwise diagnosed.” Well, that’s sufficiently vague! And it sounds like I need a second or third opinion.

My problem with these kinds of sports injuries is the fact that most doctors (And physical therapists) have little or no knowledge of the dynamics of racewalking. It’s not running. And it’s not walking.

I did find a good racewalking site for exercise and stretching instruction and stretching is something that I usually skip, I better not. Also on the site are the results of the Olympic trials last month. That’s a 50K race and the winner did it in 4 hours and 13 minutes. Equivalent miles; 50K = 31.06856 miles. Or 8.14 minute/miles for the entire 31 miles!

Mobile post sent by Steven using Utterz.  Replies.  mp3

Mobile post sent by Steven using Utterz.  Replies.  mp3

Mobile post sent by Steven using Utterz.  Replies.  mp3

Train!

My plans for the day include the usual walk/run in the park. I must keep training if I want to be able to do the Portland marathon once again. But I am not going to be as rigid as I once was about the ‘racewalking only’ training. Right now, the mix of walking and running is working for me and I’ll take whatever successes I can. It all adds up to more endurance and better health.

But after this marathon; what then? Right now I’m used to the fact that I will be doing the race by myself and it’s simply the goal of doing 6 marathons in my life that keeps me at it. Maybe I shouldn’t worry about it and just see what happens.

Mobile post sent by Steven using Utterz.  Replies.  mp3

Mobile post sent by Steven using Utterz.  Replies.  mp3

No Utterz

Not today... Oh, I did go walking and got in 4 miles. All for the good, of course. But, it wasn't the fastest and I even 'walked' for a portion of the time. I'm still dealing with aches and pains so it made sense to take it easy this morning. I do have a fairly long training time for this next marathon; perhaps I should look up the actual date for the Portland marathon? I'd hate to miss it!

I'm really looking forward to the spring and summer months of training as that is where I will be able to shed some weight. And although I won't share my current weight...I can tell you that my BP and pulse are back in the 'Good' range.

129/64 59

Mobile post sent by Steven using Utterz.  Replies.  mp3

A Smart Move

I decided to go ahead and race this morning and I was at the registration table early. I paid my money and got a shirt and a number; then it was back to the car to put the shirt away for another day. OK, I’m ready and have about 45 minutes to burn before the start.

I noted that there seemed to be less of a crowd than in years past and I suppose the threat of a storm has kept the fair weather racers away and that was fine with me.

After doing lots of stretches and sprints to warm up, I was ready for the race to begin, but as usual, it was about 10 minutes after 9 before the pistol was fired. And this time I kept my focus on me and not on the others surrounding me as we left the schoolyard and headed onto the course. I was racing for myself and not competing against anyone. Good move, as pretty soon I was all by myself. Runners ahead of me and slow walkers behind.

Although I brought my GPS unit with me, I didn’t bother looking at it, preferring to enjoy the rhythm of my own race. And pretty soon I was past the half way mark and heading home. It was about then that I felt I might be slowing some, so I decided to move the pace up a little. It’s really hard to estimate your performance when you’re all by yourself.

Finally I saw the entrance to the school parking lot and so I gave it a little boost and walked across the finish line in an estimated 39:44. I was fairly certain that I was the first walker across, but who knows? There might have been someone I missed seeing.

After a bottle of water and a banana, I sat down in the auditorium to await the official results and was quite happy to find out that they would announce the walking events first. Sure enough, I was winner (for the third year in a row) and added a medal and plaque to my stash. And while they were handing me the goodies, I tried to read the official time on the clipboard and it looked like 39:33, which would be even better. The paper will have the official results tomorrow. Either way, it was under 13 minute miles and I like that!

Let's see...last year's time was...37:20 and the year before that was 37:49. Ya know, if I had had some competition today, I would have done as well or better than last year...I know it!

Almond Blossom

I haven't seen the weather forecast yet, but I'm still planning on racing in the Durham Almond Blossom 5K this morning. I've been debating daily, and with this decision to go, I have either won or lost the debate...the results will tell me.

My hip wasn't bothering me as much as usual last night, so I'm optimistic about the day. And my granddaughter Meghan will be there to run. OK! And who knows, I may surprise myself with a decent time.

(The weather? Mostly cloudy with a slight chance of rain in the morning...then rain in the afternoon. Highs 48 to 53. Southeast winds 15 to 30 mph with gusts increasing to 40 to 50 mph by late in the afternoon.)

Mobile post sent by Steven using Utterz.  Replies.  mp3

Mobile post sent by Steven using Utterz.  Replies.  mp3

Mobile post sent by Steven using Utterz.  Replies.  mp3

Mobile post sent by Steven using Utterz.  Replies.  mp3

Mobile post sent by Steven using Utterz.  Replies.  mp3

No walking today

Life interferes with fitness every once in awhile. So I have to take the day off and do some shopping, plus a few other chores. But, I will be out in the park on Saturday AM to make up for the loss of Thursday.

Should I check my blood pressure? 133/76 Pulse is 52. Weight? Still a secret.

Mobile post sent by Steven using Utterz.  Replies.  mp3

Mobile post sent by Steven using Utterz.  Replies.  mp3

Mobile post sent by Steven using Utterz.  Replies.  mp3

Mobile post sent by Steven using Utterz.  Replies.  mp3

Memories

I must get out and get some more exercise this morning. I must not let my mind overrule my good intentions. My Clip is charged and loaded with music, so I won’t be bored while training. And the pain is going away quickly. A few more weeks and I will be pain free. I just wish I wouldn’t let myself get into this shape. And then have to start all over again, as I am. But, thank goodness for muscle memory. It helps a lot!

Mobile post sent by Steven using Utterz.  Replies.  mp3

Mobile post sent by Steven using Utterz.  Replies.  mp3

Off and Walking

Oh! That hurts! Getting around the Bidwell Park course wasn't so easy on the second day of my renewed exercise regimen. I got in a 5K walk at a fairly slow pace; maybe 14.25 minute miles? But...I was walking and that's the good part.

The park looked pretty good, considering the number of trees that were damaged by the January storms. And the creek was full and roaring!

Yes, I will be back again today. I've taken my ibuprofen and I'm ready for another 3 or 4 miles.

Walk and run

No, I haven't forgotten to train. I'm just lax in posting the results here.

I was out for a 3 mile walk on Tuesday, but forgot my GPS unit, so I just went fast and called it good. Then I took Wednesday off to get some chores done. I went out for 4 miles this morning and although I was keeping track for about 3/4 of the way, I decided to take the softer dirt route and ran across a PAR course. OK, so I stopped and used some of the equipment and got in a little bit of upper body exercise. I would exercise and then run to the next station. I may make this a regular walk/run/exercise for a few days a week.

And the reason I took the dirt path was because I had seen Lin Jensen (Chico's other racewalker) running on it just ahead of me. Running? I didn't know Lin ran at all...

Don't know why

I seem to have forgotten to post here recently. I haven't stopped walking... in fact I did a good 2 miler yesterday; getting in the two miles in 25:40 minutes. That's 12:50 minute miles and pretty good for me. And despite my 'inner voice' saying, 'It's cold. Wouldn't you rather do something else?' I am going out for another practice this morning. Really!

Feeling Fine

Very good! I thought I would take it easy this morning and when I started off I found it easier than usual to get get right past that 'why am I doing this?' stage and within a few minutes, I was actually enjoying myself. I took a look at the GPS unit and I was clocking 4.7 mph and that's fairly fast. I did the first 1.5 miles in 20 minutes, giving me 13.33 minute/miles. The final 3 miles (total) was done in 41 minutes, or 13.66 minute miles. And I felt fine!

The weight still isn't mentionable...but it's coming off.

6 hours later...BP138/68 Pulse 67

Briefly

I haven’t mentioned the past few days in the park. I better get it on record before I forget. Monday, I was ready and able for a faster walk and I was hoping for something in the 12.5 minute/mile range. So I went out and did my best? This ended up being a 13.10 minute/mile average for 2 miles. Disappointing, yes, but still in the ballpark of reasonable times. Yesterday was a rainy day, but not so bad that I couldn’t go walking. It was still warm, in the low 50’s and so the little bit of rain was not noticed. I did a 3.29 mile walk in 43.40 minutes. A 13.22 average. Not any improvement at all. But I can take some comfort in the fact that I did the first half in 21 minutes. Now that’s an average of 12.4 minute miles.

Yes, I'm going out again this morning...

Photo Op

A very nice day in the park. Although it was cold, maybe 28°, I was dressed for it and I really wasn’t going to go very fast this morning. The goal was simply to get in some miles. I even brought Laurae’s camera so that I could take a photo if the opportunity came along.

After a mile or two I settled into a pace that was close to 14.5 minutes per miles, a good one for cardio. And I took pictures.

After about 5 miles, I could feel some pain in both my right knee and the left heel; my trouble spots. So I slowed down and walked back in, 6.3 miles total and I maintained an average of 15 minutes per miles, including the Kodak moments.

And the BP was good this morning! I took it twice to be certain. 102/63 with a pulse of 63

3.29

Not the fastest 3.29 miles. I feel like I'm in a rut. I did it in 45 minutes, or 13.68 minutes/mile.

I will admit that I felt fine going out and my race walking style was quite smooth. Just like it's supposed to be. But the speed isn't there and it's frustrating. But, hey! It's all about cardio...right?


BP 133/57 Pulse 68

A little bit better

Another successful day in the park. I decided to see if I could get in a fast two miles and I set out with that as a goal. No, it wasn’t the fastest; not in that fierce wind, but it was faster than yesterday. I ended up with a 13.06 minute/mile average for the two miles. I still have the cough and the persistent pain in my right knee and my left heel. (That's my excuse and sticking with it!) Though they seem to go away while I’m actually exercising and only return after I’ve been sitting for awhile.

BP is 130/61 Pulse is 58

Not Yet

I’m back from a good walk, a fast walk. Since the sun was out and the temperatures weren’t too bad, I tried for a better time than yesterday. But first… I should tell you that I’m not to be trusted. Before I even left the house, I was making excuses; ‘Well, I walked pretty fast yesterday, maybe fast enough that I could stay home today and get some stuff done around here.’ No. Stop that! And get in the car right now! I did.

The first mile went by at a 13.5 minute/mile pace and I finished up at the 2 mile marker with a 27.5 time for the first half. I decided to see if I could get my body moving on the way back and did some 100 yard jogs every now and then. I ended up with a 24.5 minute time for the second half. That’s 12.25 minute/miles and it felt pretty good. 4.68 miles total

At the finish line I was greeted by the famed sportscaster, Otto G. Grimley who was eager to interview me.

Otto: Welcome, sports fans to the 382^nd running of the S.W. Dunn 6 point Something K Invitational Race. Here with us is S.W. himself. How are you feeling Steve?

S.W.: Oh. Wow…Hi, Otto. Well, (hack, hack,) I guess I’m OK. Now. Like, how’d I do?

Otto: Well, Steve, according to our official timers, it looks like an average of 13.25 minute/miles for the 4.68 miles. That’s far off your best time of 11.13 recorded during the 123^rd running of this classic race. What was giving you a problem today, Steve?

S.W.: Oh, man! It was like, well it was…ya know? It was like I had this real bad pain in my right knee and then (hack, hack) like I have this bad cough. Ya know? And you knew about my left heel, right?

Otto: Well, it certainly looked like you were struggling out there today, Steve. Tell us, will you be ready for the 383^rd running of this fabulous race, which is scheduled for this coming Thursday?

S.W.: Man. I don’t know…(hack, hack) I was like really suffering today. But, ya know, I’ll be like giving it my best shot on Thursday. Say…is that a camera?

Otto: Yes, that’s our television cameras.

S.W.: Cool! Hi honey! (waves)

BP 124/64 Pulse57

I'm not putting the weight in here till it drops below 210

Progress?

A busy day. I did get a good walk in and so I’m healthier… or I feel that way even if I’m not. My last walk was on Saturday and I did a 3 mile course with just under 13 minute/miles; I’m going to call it an average of 12.9999 minutes per mile. Then I was off on Sunday, a day of rest.

Today was a little slower. I didn’t get over 4.2 mph in my 38.5 minute walk. I’m estimating a distance of 2.76 miles for the day. Yes, 13.95 minute miles. Must have been the cold!

After the walk… no good news in the weight department. I’m stuck. Yes, my stomach is firmer, but the weight is still there.

BP was 124/71 Pulse 69

Vry Shrt

Just two miles. But, I did them in 27 minutes total...

Not record shattering times, but it was a nice way to warm up on a chilly fall day.

BP is 128/66 Pulse is 66

A Good One

OK, 5 miles and I was using my 'old' shoes. I didn't realize it until I got out of the car at One Mile. 'What? Where are my almost new and very technical looking New Balance shoes and what are these ugly things doing on my feet?' I survived and came up with a 13.8 minute/mile average for the distance. I really need to look at my feet before I leave the house!

BP 128/68 and Pulse 67

Crowded

How was I to know? I ended up being just a little bit late to get to the parking lot at One Mile this morning and found every space filled. Yesterday, and 30 minutes earlier... I had the parking area to myself. Since my morning routine was no longer 'routine', I decided to go for a different route. And I must admit that my first thought was to go for a quick 30 minutes, get the heart rate up and call it good. (I am not to be trusted when it comes to committing myself to exercise) But, I overcame my baser instincts and went out for 44 minutes. I don't know the mileage, as I took a new route and my GPS unit couldn't acquire a satellite.

BP 117/68 Pulse 57

Simple

A simple thing. 4 miles at 14.07 minutes per mile. Just far enough and fast enough to give you some good cardio exercise, but not so fast that you might injure yourself... when you're not feeling all that good (cough!) My first thought was to stroll and not racewalk at all, but it wasn't long before I had picked up the pace and was 'strolling' at about 4.2 mph. After a mile or so, I thought I might as well go a little faster and I ended up with a 4.4 mph average.

BP is 119/65 Pulse is 69

Do the 1st ten, last!

No, I wasn't feeling all that good; coughing! But I still did OK, getting in 3.29 miles in 44 minutes. The first ten minutes were the worst, as usual, but once I was warmed up I forgot about the aches and pains and concentrated on the 'good feelings' that my pace was generating. And that pace was 13.37 minute/miles...

BP 111/60 Pulse 72

2.58X2

= 5.16 and that's the number of miles I walked today. Up the road from One Mile to Manzanita Avenue and then back again. I did the first mile slow enough, 14.13 minute/mile. The time for the first half was even more relaxed; 14.34 minute/miles. So I decided to give it a little kick on the way back, getting up to 13.56 minute/miles average for the second half.

The best part of the day was when I was putting on my shirt before I left the house. I looked in the mirror and noted that my stomach was noticeably flatter. The weight is still the same, but it's not hanging completely over my belt...if I wore one. Progress is always appreciated!


BP 117/66 Pulse 73

Two Miles vs 30 Miles

As planned, I walked the two miles this morning with an eye on keeping my pace in the 12 minute range. And I did the first mile in 12:43; not bad. Coming back, I tried to keep up the pace and finished in 12:39...yes, it was downhill.

BP is 119/69 with a pulse of 60. I can see some progress! Weight is 216. Needs work.

Some stray thoughts from the walk: 1. I guess I will have to plan on walking for health for the rest of my life. My bad habit of eating means that I need to exercise every day. As soon as I relax and take a break from the walking, I gain weight and the blood pressure goes up. 2. Since I have planned on a marathon for next year, I need to prepare myself mentally as well as physically for the distance. What I've done in the past was to work my way up to 21 miles over a period of 4 months. The thought is that if you can do 21 miles, the excitement of race day will make the remaining 5.2 miles easy for you. And it works. But I thought I might start doing some 30 milers around June, in preparation for the marathon date in late September. In the 3 months I could do 4 or 5 of the 30 mile walks. If you can do 30, 26.2 is a snap! 30 miles is about a 7 hour walk.

History

Yes, I did get in a practice yesterday. And once again I did it without a regular timing device, just the clock in the car...

I started off from One Mile just as a 'fast' walker went by and so I followed, hoping to overtake them. I did, but it certainly was the wrong way to start the walk. An early sprint is NOT the way to get warmed up. I settled into a comfortable pace after that and tried to recover from that quick burst. I was having some pain in my left heel and that didn't leave until I was at the halfway point. Then it was easy to make my way back and I did it in 45 minutes. That's one minute slower than the day before, but still a good time. (13.68 minute/miles)

Today will be a short and fast walk...2 miles and aiming for 12.5 minute/miles. Sunday is an off day and that allows your body to rebuild after the 2 miles of 'tearing down' on Saturday.

Whole Foods

Presents New Times

My sister and brother in law are doing this one on Sunday. The 5K walk. I wish I was there with them! The last time I was in the Phoenix area (January 2007) I was racewalking the P.F. Chang 1/2 marathon and it was COLD. Something like 23 degrees at race time. I bet they have better weather for this one. My niece is doing the 10K run...Go Erin!

Obsessions

I better post yesterday's results here before we head down to the big city. No walking today.

It turned out quite well. The same 3.29 miles as yesterday but in 3 minutes less time. I had the usual 1/2 mile of painful motion and then it all straightens out for me and becomes enjoyable. It took almost 1.5 miles before I broke a sweat and that's good. The right leg was behaving itself and all was well.

Final; 13.3 minute miles and I think it was because I had forgotten to turn my GPS unit on and had to leave it in the truck. I spend too much time obsessing over my pace when I have it on.

Hanging In...

I'm still going after the goal. A 37 minute 5K. I suffered a slight setback and missed a couple of days of practice when my right leg gave me a problem. I haven't identified the muscles that are causing the pain, I just know that they are behind the knee joint and don't take well to side pressure of any kind.

This morning was pretty typical for me. 3.29 miles in 47 minutes. Or a little over 14 minute miles. Certainly not my best attempt. But after about 2 miles I began to feel a little stress in the right leg and slowed down to accomodate it.

120/58 and a pulse of 71

Paces

I have completed a backwards course of 2.93 miles in just 41 minutes. Backwards because I started at Cedar Grove and then walked east and back around to my starting point. It always helps to have a different perspective, especially when you walk in this park as often as I do. And tomorrow I will try the same starting point and go the opposite way.

I wish I could say that it was all fun and games, but it wasn’t. I started off feeling like I was dragging all 17 pounds of my extra weight as I walked; draped around my neck and dragging on the ground. Gross! But on the bright side, I could also visualize the calories being dragged off as well. Calories? They look like little bb’s of fat and they leave a greasy spot on the pavement.

After about a mile of that kind of mental torture, I got myself up to 4.3 mph and continued in that manner for the duration.

BP is 131/66 with a pulse of 75 and a weight of 217. And I'm about 4 minutes off of my pace...

Coffee Anyone?

I better take my early AM blood pressure readings and then prepare to get myself on the road. A short walk this morning. Okay, BP is 132/71 with a pulse of 66. And I was thinking yesterday; without my tape recorder… that part of the reason for the sore feet was my increased weight. Duh! But, wouldn’t that also mean that I was getting a better workout by having to haul so much lard around the park? Yes! Weight training! And if I lose weight, won’t I be cheating myself out of an opportunity to gain additional strength by hauling it around? Sounds like a no-win situation. Maybe I should walk while eating and keep things just as they were. Just kidding.

(Later) After returning from a satisfactory 3.3 mile walk in 46.5 minutes (14.1 minute/miles) and having a medium sized latte at Bellachino’s Coffee shop, my blood pressure readings are 126/76 with a pulse of 73.

Now I think I have found my new favorite coffee shop; Bellachino’s. Nice atmosphere with plenty of magazines and newspapers. They want you to be comfortable. The menu looks pretty good as well, with gardenburgers available. I will try parking the truck down by Cedar Grove and then after my walk, it’s a simple drive up 8^th Street to the coffee shop.

The coffee shop that has proven to be the most disappointing is Higher Grounds. We went in for a cup a few weeks ago, just before Kyle’s game, and when I asked if there were any newspapers available to buy, I was told, “Yes. Across the parking lot and over at the liquor store. They have a machine.” Amazing!

YouTube for Walkers

The Race Walking Challenge...

And how to do it

Stop laughing. It's an Olympic sport... and what are you doing right now? Sitting in front of your computer. Get up and take a walk.

I'm ready...

I’ve had my breakfast of hot whole grain cereal, the kind that gets into the spaces between your teeth. Must brush! I think Dad used to call it ‘Nature’s broom,” And he ate a bowl of that ‘mush’ every day. Then I’m off to walk in the park. Day two of my rehab effort. But first, my blood pressure before I go…139/81 with a pulse of 65.

(Later) It was a good effort. I had some initial pain to overcome; lactic acid! Even so, the first mile went by at a faster pace than I wanted, a mile in 13.8 minutes, so I slowed it down and did the second mile with a 14.28 average for two miles. And as I reached the Manzanita end of the park trail I spotted a brand new bridge over the creek. I was going to make a simple turn around and head back, but the bridge beckoned and I crossed over before settling into a POFW pace instead of the racewalking stride. And then I passed my marker for the 5K distance and I had done that in 43 minutes, just 4 minutes off my race pace. OK, back to racewalking. I continued on and went back across the creek at Cedar Grove and then finished up back at the truck in 1 hour and 15 minutes. That’s an average of 14.42 minutes per mile.

Afterwards, at home again… BP is 131/64 Pulse is 79 and weight is 215.6, a drop of 2.4 pounds in 2 days.

And he's off!

A beautiful day in the park! I can tell you that I was pleasantly surprised to be able to fall right back into the racewalking gait. All very smooth. I guess muscle memory saves me once again. I didn’t want to overextend myself this morning and become injured, so had to fight an urge to go faster; which I could have. OK, maybe just a little bit faster. The competitive spirit is still there and I wanted to prove to myself that I still had the ability to racewalk against all comers. Not.

I was pleasantly warmed up after the first mile, which I did in 14.4 minutes. My original plan to walk a slow 6 miler went by the wayside and I decided to do 4 miles at a good pace. The results are… BP=131/72 Pulse=74 after doing 4 miles in 56.5 minutes at an average pace of 14.125 minutes per mile. If I were doing a 5K race, my usual; I would have done it in a little over 42 minutes. My last outing, back in May, I was averaging 12.26 minutes per mile and I did the 4 miler in a shade over 49 minutes. So I’m 7 minutes off my pace; I’m good with that!

Pre Day One

It starts again. The long term goal is a longer life and a healthier one. Short term; it's a 5K race now and then for the next year. Maybe half a dozen? A little further out; September of next year will be my 6th marathon and it will be in Portland. If you have never done a marathon, walking or running, Portland is the place to be for your first one.

Bonus: With the completion of the 6th marathon, I will have 6 little 'running man' figures tattooed on my left calf. It's for me.

A reminder

OK, it's over. The Portland Marathon went off without me this year and I'm ashamed. I wasn't there, but I will be back! I would rather not do it by myself, but I have in the past and I can do it again. Anyone want to do it with me? It's just 11+ months of training and then a spectacular finish...you'll love it!

Masters Results

No, it wasn't my best effort. But for a racewalker, it wasn't bad...12:26 minute miles.

Take a look at the ages of some of the racers...

It's Over Once Again...

The Fleet Feet 2007 Masters 4 Mile Race.

It wasn't the best of race days...but it will do. I started off with a good attitude and a fairly fast (for me) pace. I didn't wear any timing devices as I didn't want get obsessed and upset by my performance or lack of it. And within a mile I found my shoe laces flopping in the breeze...Darn! So I had to stop and fix that and then I ran to get myself back into the spot that I had just vacated. running is not good for a race walker! But I persevered and tried to keep some racers within my sight. I was afraid to look behind me...I would have been very depressed if I had been last. (I wasn't) Anyway, I kept hoping that when I saw the clock at the finish it would read somewhere around 52 minutes. I would be content with that. And then during the final mile I was all by myself again, something that I hate because it just slows me down. But when I finally saw the clock, it was reading 48??? So I hurried for the finish and got in around 49:03. I think. The results will be on the Fleet Feet website later today. Last years' time was 48:37. Since I didn't feel all that good this morning, I was quite happy to see how close to last years time I was.

And during the awards, I found that I was first in my age group; 65-69 year old. Last year I was in second place.

Let's say it was 49:03; that makes for a 12:26 minute per mile average. OK!