Along with my Nike+ Kit that I got for Christmas, my wife got me an armband to go with it. The biggest plus about the Marware armband is the clear front fascia that allows ease of use of the nano controls. Though it is designed to fit either on your bicep or your wrist, I did have some annoyances with the velcro coming undone while I was running. If you’re a very petite person, then having a snug fit around your bicep isn’t a problem, but if you don’t fit into that category, then it’s recommended that you use your forearm. However, this wasn’t comfortable to me because my earphone cord kept getting in my way.

Last week I ordered a Nike iPod armband and it made all the difference in the world. I didn’t have to worry about how or where I was going to put my iPod. It fit perfectly on my upper bicep and didn’t cut my circulation. Although you don’t have as much visible space for the nano, display screen only, using the controls isn’t difficult at all.

I HIGHLY recommend from all the choices available for iPod holders, the Nike armband. It is, in my opinion (and I was not paid by Nike for this endorsement!), the armband that most people will find the most comfortable.

It’s been over a week since my last post. I haven’t been too lazy nor has life been uneventful in the world of running. To the contrary, I’ve been extremely busy. Usually I battle hills and fatigue, but this week I was in a fierce battle against my sinuses and a touch of the flu. Though my illness got a few good licks in, I do believe I’ve emerged victorious. Unfortunately, I missed the best weekend for running, as well as missing my own personal goal of reaching my 100-mile mark. It was sunny and in the 70s this past weekend and I was lying in bed with an achy body, sore throat and headaches like you couldn’t believe.

I’ve felt pretty good the past couple of days, but I won’t venture out for a run until Friday or Saturday. Because I got sick so late in my training for the Germantown Half Marathon, which is March 16th, I’ve had to alter my mental focus for that race. Before, I was really gunning to beat my St. Jude time, but now I’m going to shoot to finish. I’ve gotten up to nine miles in my training, so I’m pretty confident that I can finish without a bunch of problems, but I’m not anticipating beating any personal records.

Congrats to Derek for his awesome performances in the challenges.

Now, please don’t take my post title the wrong way. It’s not a lack of creativity or dedication to the cause, but rather I believe Scott must’ve read my mind when he published his last post.

My mom’s training for the ING half marathon in Atlanta, GA. She wanted to spend some quality time with me, so we went running last Saturday. Our desired distance was eight miles. I was a little nervous because the last time I ran that distance, I ended up killing myself for the sake of having a better ranking in the challenges. This has been stated before, but I really feel that it can’t be reinforced enough: while it’s good to push yourself, you definitely SHOULDN’T over train.

Read the rest of this entry »

As previously posted, I’ve taken the past week off due to shin splints. During my hiatus, I noticed my mind and body were going through withdrawals because I wasn’t running. I was more irritable and not sleeping very well. I was going to run after work yesterday, but unfortunately I got home to find that ALL of my workout pants were in the wash. I was extremely disappointed because I was looking forward to my run.

So today, with fresh, clean clothes, I laced up my shoes, hit my power song, and was off for the four-mile comeback. For the first mile or so, I felt really good - my troublesome shin wasn’t causing me any problems. By mile two, I was feeling the effects of not having run for a week - fatigue and tight thigh muscles, as well as it being drizzly, cold, and desolate down at Tom Lee Park. Honestly though, what could I expect? I had basically returned to zero and was now fighting my way back to where I was prior to the injury. I kept thinking to myself as I approached the final 400 meters, how sweet victory would be and to have finished my run. Though I was extremely tired, I knew this was the run that was going to set things right.

It’s a fact that if you participate in a sport long enough you’re going to get injured. Well, I’ve reached that point. Last Sunday’s run was AWESOME, as previously posted. Unfortunately, I didn’t have that Herculian feeling for Wednesday’s four-miler. Granted, my time and pace where almost perfect, except for a small amount of walking due to sharp pain in my left shin. That’s right runners, I have a shin splint.

Shin splints are a condition that causes pain and sometimes swelling in the front part of the lower leg (shin). The pain is most likely from repeated stress on the shin bone (tibia) and the tissue that connects the muscle to the tibia. They are common in people who run or jog. Activities where you run or jump on hard surfaces, such as basketball or tennis, can also lead to this painful condition. - WebMD

The treatment for this ailment isn’t more cow bell, but rest, stretching, and ice packs. Granted my leg might feel better and training can continue, but what about my mental pain - the longing to run by the river on Sundays or hearing my favorite quote “400 meters to go?” I guess I’ll just have to settle for reading my favorite blog, 400mToGo.

Though shin splints are pretty common for long-distance runners, it doesn’t give way for a lack of stretching, warm-up runs, and keeping training on pace. It’s an all too common pitfall of pushing ourselves too far too fast (which is what I think caused my injury). Remember to train hard, but train SMART so that you can enjoy those long Sunday runs.

As in football, any given Sunday can bring victory or defeat. Sometimes no matter how hard you practice, the other team practices harder. I face this uncertainty around 3:30 pm every Sunday - that’s my regularly scheduled long run. It’s the time when I battle against the pavement. The past couple of long runs haven’t exactly been in my favor, but, like the NY Giants, I’ve always beaten the odds and conquered my adversary.

The conditions couldn’t have been better for Sunday’s eight-miler - sunny skies, a good night’s rest, and an extra bottle of water along with my Gatorade. I honestly couldn’t have asked for a better run . . . well, maybe a slightly faster time, but, none the less, I can finally put another one in the win column.

Since my last post I have set a set a new PR for my fastest mile and had a long run or two, but I must admit last week I wasn’t able to run as much as I should have, but in place of two of the missed runs weren’t in vain.I saw two OUTSTANDING movies that are helping me push through those days when I say to myself, “Man I don’t want to run today”. The first of the two is called, “The Long Run“. Though one may be of the opinion that the name isn’t very creative, but trust me, it fits. The movies is about a failed track coach who discovers a young woman who has extraordinary talent and with his coaching will be able to win the Comrades. Read the rest of this entry »

How was your trip?

That is what should have been asked of me when I was sprawled out on someone’s lawn yesterday. Finally, I nice afternoon in Memphis and I was headed out for my 7 mile run. I got to mile 3 and I saw my friend Leigh driving down the road and I turned to wave to her. Then it happened…I hit a a break in sidewalk and took a dive. I cut the mess out of my hand and either sprained, jammed, or broke my middle finger and not to mention my bruised ego. Now after roughly two minutes or so staring up at the sky and wishing I could hope in my Delorean, hit 85MPH, and fix my idiot move I stood up and weighed my options. I was half a mile from the half way point of my room. So…should I cut the run short or do I push through the pain and finish what I set out to do. I opted to finish. So I hit my power song and finished the entire run. When it was all said and done was it worth it? Well it seemed to be worth it until I started typing this blog with one of my digits not working well. You would be surprised what you use your middle finger for besides flipping other people off.

Last night I had a TERRIFIC five miler. It was a little cold outside when I started, but that little inconvenience soon disappeared. I felt really good right afterwards, partly because I knew tonight I would just have to run a quick three miler, rest tomorrow, and then eight miles on Sunday; that was until I remembered that my wife and I have dinner plans with some friends right after work.

However, it wasn’t that big of a deal. I decided to get up a little earlier in the morning and knock it out. I was out the door this morning a little later than I would have liked, but still on schedule. I jumped on the treadmill and started my five minute warm up when I realized I had forgot my iPod®. DAMN!!! I started to convince myself that what was important complete my miles not whether or not I had music or my chip to log this run. I decided to suck it up and do what I came to do.

Yea…that lasted literally two minutes. I don’t know if I was just tired from the night before or just lazy, but I didn’t have ANY energy to keep going so I bowed out. I was very disappointed in myself, but I guess that is why we fall of the horse every now and then…so that we can get up and get back on.

I don’t know if the planets were aligned, or if was just my lucky day, but my run last night felt great. I ended up having lunch with an old friend, Vince Perryman, who got me into cross-country running while I was in high school. The difference between Vince and myself is that, oh yeah, he is an elite runner and hasn’t stopped running since the age of 14. I mentioned to Vince my born-again dedication to running.

While explaining some of the recent trials and tribulations with my training plan for the Germantown Half Marathon, Vince offered some astute and simple advice:

“Don’t think about always beating your personal best. There is a fine line between pushing yourself during training and pushing yourself over the limit. You might not only injury yourself physically, but break yourself mentally.”

While I was suffering through the St. Jude/Memphis Half Marathon in December, Vince was setting a personal best for the FULL marathon. When asked what made this race different, he said it was because he didn’t worry about anything but the current moment. He didn’t over think his strategy. He just ran HIS race.

So last night I stood out in my front yard and told myself that I was going to forget about the challenges and just run. I would run hard, but smart. I ran right past the Pyramid when I heard, “400 meters to go!” I thought to myself that I would sprint the last distance. I didn’t think about how far I had already run nor did I think about what my pace was or might have been. I just ran my way.

When I completed my last 400 meters and ended my workout, I heard that WONDERFUL, welcoming female voice telling me I had beat my personal best and I was very happy with my average pace per mile. Furthermore, I was excited to just be out there, enjoying my run again, oh — and not falling down and almost breaking my finger, like I did last week!