nice to see the master has decided to take things into his own hands! I wonder if this is one of Obama's doings?! LOL

time for the doctor

I am wreathing in pain. My left foot is hurting big time. It feels different after a number of days aggressively icing it, but something is wrong. I'm off to the doctors today for some professional advice and more importantly pain alleviation. It's times like this that I need to keep my focus in today. It is easy for me to jump ahead of myself and shift gears (literally) and go right to the bike, cancel the marathon etc. SEE?! That's why I am staying in today. I've worked very hard to get where I'm at right now.Brutal cold, too much snow, complete dedication.... I've been flying, and now this. Wish me luck

interplanetary f....

I believe I figured out what type of injury I have to my left foot. It didn't take long to diagnose thanks to the marvels the net. I have Plantar Faciitis, or an inflamation to the outside bottom of my foot from heal to toes. OUCH KILLS me to walk. My stomach has been bothering me because I'm trying to minmimize the walking pain with some 800mg IBUprofins I had from a while ago. Needless to say lots of icing, stretching and self massage is underway. GOOD NEWS flash - I was able to get on the rollers last night without issue so looks like the cycling gods are smiling upon me and reminding me where I belong :) Nevertheless, I reserved a room for a hotel down in Champaign for Marathon weekend, and as far as I'm concerned it's still on. Temps are going to be warm the rest of the week - figures!?! BUT I may get a ride in to make up for no long run -single speed road ride zone 2 ala base mileage....

ouch

Well the injury to my left foot has become a problem. I'm at the point now where it hurts IN A BIG WAY to walk on it. My plan was to switch gears (literally) to riding the rollers, but I'm questioning if that is doable. It's been ice, self kneading/massage, and 800 yes 800mg ibuprofins a couple times a day... Then there's the mental chater that started -Do I even want to continue the training in what has been L'enfer of a winter. Is my new ride calling me to it knowing that my time on it will be mininmal until April (yeah that one's a stretch...) WHAT is really wrong with the foot and how can I get it mended quickly. UGHHH Injury sucks!

the irony of injury

It's stranger than fiction. My plans were to begin adding more cycling workouts into my training regimen come February. Particularly to take the place of the 3 mile runs I schedule a couple days during the week. Lo-and-behold going into the begining of the month I've come to develop a pain in the outside of my right foot in which I'm currently having pain when I walk. Not good but no time to freak. As of this week (and right on schedule) I will be on the rollers until the pain subsides. The good news is I'm up to 17 miles for the long runs,and quite honestly the runs have been good quality and I have been feeling great, so I have some breathing room. Like I said "stranger than fiction"....

the road so far as of 2/1/09

I've tried to refrain from complaining about my winter training for Aprils marathon because last time I checked it was I who decided to run in the midwest winter climate. HOWEVER, I've recently seen stories that this years winter has been the snowiest coldest in the last 15+ years! I guess the inner complaints are justifiable :) This weekend we've been blessed with mild weather. Sun shining and temperatures in the mid to upper 30s. The plans called for 17 miles and I did it yesterday on the hilliest course I could. It was actually on a portion of my killer loop time trial course. I finished quicker than anticipated, and this morning I'm feeling good. Real good actually. I've made it a habit of having a MET-RX shake within an hour of finishing the long runs, and that seems to be working very well in recovery. I had a group of riders (some were triathletes) on the Archer climb, and a shout out of ALLEZ brought a wave. YEAH, I would have prefered to be out on the ride (as always) but nevertheless. Glad I didn't make a deal with the devil to gain the fitness I am feeling, cuz I would be going straight to hell if that were the case LOL. Like I said I'm feeling real good physically. Weight is down to about 169, and I can tell.
ALLEZ

Sunday morning art

for your (and my) viewing pleasure on a fine sunny Sunday morning...