Road to Recovery

The MRI showed nothing of significance, but the pain still lingers on...

I've decided to continue running small amounts on it for the time being, and get any type of treatment to help with recovery. This includes: swimming, running, more stretching, core, acupuncture, Glucosamine pills, Krill pills, icing, topical anti-inflammatory cream, massages, and anything else you can think of. Either way, I've excepted that I cannot training at 100%, but will do other things to stay active and somewhat aerobically fit for a fall marathon; which I've also added to the crazyness of being addicted to running. 6-7 miles a day has been the normal routine, and I think I'll gradually increase it as the knee seems to stay the same, perhaps even slightly "better" (?). At any rate, spring is in the air, and its nice to feel the warm sun, and a cool breeze every once in awhile.

Still Hurt

It goes on...

Last tuesday I had an MRI and I'm still waiting for results. I think the worse thing about being hurt is not knowing what is going on. Once that is determined, then I think I can accept it and recover. But, until then, it is a struggle... and very depressing.

A few weeks down

After a few weeks of running, I am feeling more confident with myself and what goals I have for this upcoming spring. Each day isn't as hard as before, and the fitness is coming around. I have sat down a few times with my coach (Henry Rono), who has been forced to move in with us after coming back from Yemen. He has a new direction with his coaching philosophy; actually he has just implemented more things into his program. It is very exciting to discuss with him what the future brings to both of us.

My injury is gone, and as I begin my base phase of training, Henry and I are going to focus on the USA Track and Field Championships at Hayward Field in the 10,000m. I want to get back in great shape and improve on my disappointing 21st place finish last year. I know I can crack into the top 10, or even top 6. But, its going to take a great deal of work and consistent training every morning. There are many more things that I can improve on, and Henry is going to help out with that along with my lovely girlfriend Laura. She is big on drills and dynamic stretching, which is going to help with mobility and injury prevention. I see how Henry wants to develop American runners, and how to integrate Kenyan ways into our minds and bodies... Its just going to take some time, and I'm looking forward to it!

Getting Back Into It

After about 7 weeks with an injured knee, I am feeling better and ready to start training hard. Well, not hard right away, but a slow and smart approach into getting in shape and racing well this spring. Last week was my first "real" week of running after those dreadful 7 weeks, and it was a miniscule 37 miles. But it was 37 miles of no pain.

I shall be in ready for the 10,000m at Outdoor Nationals in June.

Rest and Recovery

After a week of not running and trying to relax, I've made a few evaluations. It was interesting to look back on my training and realize that I was not in top shape to run a great time in Chicago. My training was inconstant and the volume wasn't as high as it should have been. I had a week at 27 miles (yes, 27 miles) and then jumped back to 100 plus miles. Also, after I took a much needed break in July, I only had 13 weeks to get ready for Chicago and out of those 13 weeks, I had 6 over 100. Very poor training...

Now that it is all done, I have refocused on a possible Spring marathon. My base building should be huge and I will set a point about 12 weeks before the marathon to start marathon specific training. I'm looking forward to this next marathon cycle and all that it entails.