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If you wish to reach me: lastchancerunner@gmail.com

Tuesday, February 28, 2012

DeAnza Track Is Going Down!

Ran the neighborhood and on over to De Anza College. Work crews were dismantling and moving equipment (hurdles, par course, etc). Turns out that they are finally going to rebuild the whole stadium complex including the track.

I did a total of 65 minutes running. Kept the HRM in the 65-70% range. Got some drizzle but no rain.

I have decided that I am going to have to use the HRM regularly. Nothing fancy. Just run 4 days a week and do either threshold intervals or AT runs keeping them under 8-10% of total running time.

Sunday, February 26, 2012

Forty Easy

Forty minutes of easy running over at Foothill. Dimitri joined me for the last 30 minutes.
Bad, bad allergy attack yesterday. I finally began to see progress out of the nasal morass this morning. Some Claritin helped.

Saturday, February 25, 2012

80 minutes

I ran 80 minutes today. 57 minutes with my club in the morning at WVC and then another 23 minutes over at the Los Gatos All Comers meet. I warmed up with Bryan (Conroy) and Bob Anderson until I knew it was time for me to call it quits. Then I called lap splits for Bob during his 5K race. Bob ran a gutty race and broke 21 while Bryan ran in the low 20's. Bob wanted sub 20 but it was not to be. It's tough running on the track. Back in the day, I never broke 16 for 5K on the track but ran under 16 on the roads a half dozen or more times.

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Brain Trust before the 5K (Bryan-Me-Bob)

Thursday, February 23, 2012

Total Recovery Run

Total recovery run this morning mostly at WVC. I ran a very easy 70 minutes with the last 60 toe to toe with my buddy Danny. Funny. Spring type temps. I didn't really think about my calf at all. Gentle hills are not bothering me at all.

Tuesday, February 21, 2012

Clock Winding Down

I did a sixty minute run this morning at WVC . It was my fourth day in a row. Frankly while my legs weren't sore, I could feely my clock winding down towards the end.

Went with Danny afterward for a chiro adjustment and then a massage and of course Breakfast!

Just about sure that I am ready to get back in the hills soon.

Monday, February 20, 2012

Ran with Bob, Bill and JoAnne up Moody Road. Because I am a big weenie and the pace was a bit fast, it was a chore to stay with up. No pain but just not quite used to running in the 8's. Once we started to hit the steep hill with about 400-600 meters from the turnaround and because I was still babying my calf, I dropped back. Finally I just stopped and walked for a minute and waited for my friends to come back down. Then I joined up and ran in feeling very strong the whole way.

The calf never bothered me so good news on that front.

My total running time including some minutes I did around Monte Vista, was close to 50 minutes.

Sunday, February 19, 2012

60 minutes

Yet another 60 minutes of Zensah running. I ran the neighborhood for fifteen minutes before heading over to Foothill to jog with Dimitri. Bright sunny day, but cool. Wore the Zensah and experienced absolutely no calf problems. Gotta buy another sleeve as backup. They look funny but they seem to help.

If things hold together I am going back on my basic 1990-91 program. Every other day running and AT runs every 3-4 weeks to test progress.

Saturday, February 18, 2012

62 minutes of Zensah Running

Motored over to WVC and ran tennis court loops alternately with Danny, Danielle and Jim Myers. The weather was moderate. Cool but not cold. I wore the Zensah and it kept my calf warm. I tapped out 62 minutes of slow-slow. Two things. My calf didn't bother me and I felt no tightness afterward. At least I wasn't banished to the track for an hour. I did several laps out of respect but that was it.

The club was doing the Valentines Day race. Ken Napier was down from the mountains and we had a chance to catch up at breakfast. It was good to see him. He really lights up around the club. Wish he still lived down here.

Friday, February 17, 2012

Zensah Run

THURSDAY

I ran over at the WVC track Thursday morning. I had my Zensah compression sleeve on throughout the run. It was cool but the sleeve seemed to keep my right calf warm. Danny and Tom ran part of the way with me but mostly it was just moi circling the track. I did sneak off the tartan for a few gentle hill tests (YES...TESTS!). We runners are always testing. We're obsessive that way. I did feel some sensation of tightness afterward but nothing worrisome. Got through 70 minutes without clenching so I am happy enough.

FRIDAY

I walked for 60 minutes midday. Nice and sunny.

Tuesday, February 14, 2012

Endless Circling

I stayed down on the WVC track most of my run this morning. 75 minutes of endless circling with only a few forays to the less challenging sections of the campus. I am not complaining. The flatness of it all allows me to run. Tom and Danny joined me for some of it but mostly I was a-lone.

When I got home, my Zensah compression calf sleeve had arrived in the mail. It'll give me some distributed protection with out having to always wear my tights. I only purchased one. So far I have not had issues with the my left calf. Only the right. If things change, I'll buy the other.

http://img.runningwarehouse.com/new_big/ZENCSS-BK-1.jpg

Saturday, February 11, 2012

Double on varied terrain

AM: I drove over to the club workout in the morning and ran and walked for 35 minutes. I have no idea how far I went. Maybe 3 miles. Danny joined me for part of it. It's funny. Running and walking sort of feels like just plain old running used to feel back in the day.
 

PM: Went to Foothill and ran 38 slow-slow minutes with Dimitri.  So....a double workout.

Varied terrain. WVC has a blue colored track and Foothill's is brick red.

No calf issues but then I stayed away from the hills.

Thursday, February 09, 2012

Clench!

Ran 55 minutes this morning over at West Valley. I did get a warning about hills. My right calf "clenched" when I was running up a gentle slope. I dropped back down on the track and finished off my run there. No more big issues but I realize that for now, flat surfaces are the best.

Tuesday, February 07, 2012

Fifty Minutes

Fifty minutes at WVC this morning. Stayed down on the tennis court loop and the track but I have to admit that my calf felt good. Very little soreness from yesterday's massage. Maybe I am turning the corner. I feel like I could run fast. A week ago I didn't feel that way at all.
I am going to be cautious though and just keep running slow and easy. Maybe in a week or two I'll try some very easy striders.

Next massage is in two weeks.

Car battery on the Honda died. Nice to have the other car. My faithful Camry got me to the workout. Changed out the battery after I got home from breakfast. I had some help from Gary. Thank God he had a 10mm wrench!

Sunday, February 05, 2012

Best Run Yet

I did another 47 minutes this morning. Part was around home and the rest over at Foothill. Best run yet. No tightness and no pain. Just running along at an easy pace. Dimitri joined me for part of the run. He is nursing an early stage plantar issue. Hopefully it won't blow up.

Tomorrow I have another massage scheduled. It seems to be helping big time.

Maybe I'll be able to get back to training soon.

Saturday, February 04, 2012

47 minutes

I ran 47 minutes this morning over at WVC. It was in the low 40's so I tried to be very careful about running too fast. Best day for my right calf since I pulled it three weeks ago. I even ran some very gradual hills. I also walked some before and after to keep the legs going.

Thursday, February 02, 2012

Another rehab run

Another 40-20 this morning most of it with Danny. Tom was away in the wine country chipping and dipping.  It was cool again (low 40's) but the redeeming factor was bright sunlight.  The calf was mildly sore but better than Tuesday. So the DOMS is slowly wearing off. I can tell I am getting better but I also can tell that I have to take it slowly. I can extend the time I run but throwing in walk breaks gives the calf a rest.

Danny likes the slow running (with walk beaks).  "Tom's wearing me out." he said laughing at breakfast afterwards.

My competition
http://www.exelnordicwalking.com/Nordic_Walking_The_Track_op_640x480.jpg