Training Log Archive: TimGood

Event: O Marathon II - Fair Hill NRMA, MD
 

Well I made my decision and got up at 4:30 am to get on the road by 5:30 and to Fair Hill before 8. Not exactly the race I had planned when I signed up but I was able to putter around the course at a comfortable speed. Back hurt when I started and still hurt when I finished but no worse than before. Finished the 1/2 before the cut off to continue but had decided much earlier not to tempt fate by continuing. Biggest mistake was not checking to see that I had my magnifying glass packed before I left the house. Thought it was with my o-stuff but apparently it was not. Had some trouble reading the 1:15 map and some of the smaller trails. Made poor route choices on 7 and 10 which ended up with me tangled up in thorns, but the biggest losses of time were stopping at the porta-john sort-of on the way to 6 and dropping my compass while eating a power gel on the way to 19. Took a few minutes to find.

Since I only did the half, I was home in plenty of time to make the Boomerangs Holiday dance. 7:30-9:30pm.

Even had time to plant some more bulbs in the afternoon. Getting late in the season to get them in the ground and with another possible wintery mix tomorrow want them in before the next freeze. Unfortunately I still have 30 more crocus and bunch of lilies to go.

Half Marathon - Splits

Weight stopped going up. Does that mean my back is getting better or that I can't swell any more? Still no decision on Fair Hill. Smart thing would be to skip it. Current plan is still to go but only do the the 1/2 unless I suddenly get better. Probably won't decide for sure until tomorrow morning when I have to get up very early.

C • Psoas stretching 2

At B&B 8:20-9:30. Only went to the last hour, went to Home Depot first to get some more attic insulation.

Weight seems to be climbing every day. I think the inflammation and swelling in the back is retaining water.

Had decided tuesday that I would run today so I could see how the back felt while running. Will have to make a decision on going to Fair Hill marathon or not. Should have gone out yesterday while it was still warm. Temperature at freezing and strong winds made it unpleasant. I was not out long enough to warm up properly. Afraid to go far or fast since the back felt like it had when it first got sore.
Distance is unmeasured, just went around the block with the 7/11. Holiday lights were nice.

Put the insulation in the attic. Two rolls fit in a shopping cart and easily into my car, and I have made two trips to Home Depot so have 4 rolls so far. Moved them all to the attic. Had intended to actually install them into the attic but that is a lot more work. Installed just one roll. Not enough room to just unroll it, had to measure, cut, and prod into place. All while stooping or kneeling with a sore back. Took some time. Actually not that bad, the reason I stopped after one roll was that I was cold. Should have done this on a warmer day as well.

At Boomerangs 7:30-9:30. Danced less than 30 minutes but did make some progress on the puzzle at the senior center.

Yard work. Supposed to get cold tonight so I wanted to get some stuff done before everything froze. Also testing the back some more. Fluffed up the compost pile a bit, raked the leaves up from the curb and added them to the pile, and picked up most of the sweetgum balls. Spent about an hour. Sore back did not like any of it but seemed no worse than before I started.

Time to see if the back is getting any better. From work to the Subway and back. Not currently measured, guessing at 1.5 each way. Got a sandwich at Subway which I ate on the return trip. Also found 52 cents.
Back is still hurting, but the walk did not seem to make it worse. Hurts most in the morning, hard to get a good sleeping position.

A really short walk followed by some back stretching exercises.

Event: QOC Great Falls MD
 

Toys for Tots Square Dance. Alexandria VA. 1-5pm. Back is still sore with constant low level pain.

Decided not to go to Orienteering at Great Falls. Had thought I might go early and do a quick intermediate course and still get back in time to get to the dance. Back was hurting and I assume there was 3 inches or more of snow on the ground so I skipped it.