What Happened to My Saturday Starbucks' Mornings?

I recall years ago when living in San Diego my Saturday mornings would start off with a visit to Starbucks. I'd go with a tall coffee of the day and treat myself to a coffee cake or a bagel or whatever fancied me that morning. Then I'd plopped my ass down and read the SD Union Tribune or New York Times while I inhaled my breakfast treat and sipped on coffee. Those were some wonderful mornings. I use to tell myself, 'this is the life.' 

Yet, somewhere along the way in 2000, Saturday Starbucks' Mornings became having a cup of joe at home and putting on the running shoes for the scheduled Saturday long run . It's been that way for the past 8 years. And it's all because of my desire to run and compete in Marathons. 

This past Saturday (4/4/09), Wendy and I hit the pavement for the longest run of our 18-week training plan: 20 miles. That's just six miles less than a full marathon. That's 10 miles one way and 10 miles back. That's about 3-plus hours of running on a Saturday morning. I'll admit, I can think of million other things I'd rather do on a Saturday morning than put in 20 miles However, I do realize that there is nothing comparable to knowing that you completed your longest training run alive. 

All the Starbucks coffee and coffee cakes cannot replace the sense of achievement and relief one has after logging 20. In some ways for me, it's a far greater challenge than the marathon itself. During the 20 miler there's no fan support for motivation. There's no aid station at every mile. And at the end, there's no medal awaiting you. Instead, it's another training run with a longer stretch of pavement up ahead. 

Miraculously I finished. Thanks to Wendy's pre-planning, we positioned one of our vehicles at the halfway point to stop for gatorade and gu. The course started in Newport Beach and went through Huntington Beach and into Seal Beach. It was all along the coastline where we had varying things to see to help keep our mind preoccupied. The first 10 miles went at a relatively good pace. We averaged at 9:37 per mile and made stop here and there for water. We reached the halfway point to replenish ourselves and dispose of the layered clothing we had on that was now drenched because of the California sun. After a few self-motivation talks, we turned around to our original destination. While I'm not a fan of an out and back course, this one seemed relatively good. A few rolling hills to challenge us. Plus we had plenty of bathrooms and faucets to choose from in the event we needed to stop. 

Besides hitting the wall at mile 17 to walk a bit and clear the eyes of the sweat dripping into them, I was very pleased with our performance. Never once did Wendy and I break away from each other. When she needed to slow down, I did too. When I needed to stop and crawl, she turned and watched. In all, it was a satisfying and (pain free) run. Thankfully it's over with and it serves as a reminder that the the upcoming 26.2 is doable. 

Keep chugging along, and don't forget to stop for an Oreo cookie or two. 

jt

Pain in Calf leads to a wonderful discovery - Chiropractor and Massages

I've been training for the Bug Sur Marathon in April and dare I admit this, I was enjoying the training. During the long runs on Saturday - usually 6 or more miles - I would find myself setting the pace for Wendy and me. Our average times would range between 8 and 8:30 minute miles. It was a sign that I if commit to the training on a daily basis and not let past marathon failures creep back into my head, I can actually keep up with the gf on a run. It really made me believe in miracles. 

Following about a month's worth of training, seeing the "love handles" slightly disappear and gaining confidence, I jumped on the treadmill for my scheduled miles. You know you're in the runner's zone when 4 miles is no big deal. I set the pace for about an 8:49 per mile, with a few hill intervals. I'm going along, listening to the tunes on the Ipod when all of a sudden I feel a sharp pain in my right calf. It was brutal. I could barely push down on my right foot. I paused the treadmill to stretch the calf a bit, with hopes it just needed some extra tlc. I remember looking over at Wendy going, 'what just happened!?!"  I think she mouthed the words, "wimp, run it out!" 

After doing a few different stretches, I hoped back onto the treadmill, fingers crossed that this pain would go away. A few seconds back into the run, the pain became extremely worse which put a quick end my night.   The days that followed included icing down the calf, warming the calf, stretching the calf and trying to saw off my calf. Nothing worked. Eventually Wendy said, you should sent up an appointment with my chiropractor, he's really good and can help you.  

After not doing any running for two weeks, with hopes that the pain would just go away, I took her advice.  I immediately set up an appointment with Dr. Chris at O'Hanna Chiropractic Services in HB. Within minutes Dr. Chris noticed a few concerns with my alignment that may have been causing the pain. One being my right leg was a bit shorter than my left, causing me to put undue stress on my right side.  And lastly, my lower back needed some readjustment because he sensed a nerve from the lower back down through the calf was rubbing against the muscle tissues, possible causing a tear. Within a few minutes of having various parts of my body go "snap," "crackle" and "pop," the discomfort went away. Then came the best part, Dr. Chris said, I'm recommending you get massages on a weekly basis. The dude has a nice set up in his building. Downstairs they do chiropractic work, while upstairs are the massage experts. I don't recall every getting a massage, and I wonder why I waited so long!?!? I've learned that 10 years-plus of running does some harm to your body. Thankfully, the rub downs "revi" the body, mind and soul. 

I've gone to see Dr. Chris and the massage specialist, her name is Nancy, once a week for almost two weeks now. I haven't done too much running without feeling pain, but I did venture on a long run with Wendy. The goal was 18 miles, but unfortunately I could only last up to 11 until the pain in the calf limited my trek. In the past, I'd be down and out and overly frustrated with the pain. But today, I just look at it as an opportunity to call my friends at O'Hana Chiropractic Service for much needed body work. 

Keep chugging along, and don't forget to stop for an Oreo or two. 

jt