Hot

Well nothing like 3 days of 98 degree temps to really get the system ready for a long summer here in DC. Actually by running at 9 on Sat and Sun, and at 9:30 pm last night, I avoided most of the worst heat and humidity. As I rebuild the base and get back into shape, I'm noticing the training pace is picking up too. My standard 6 on Monday night was quite rapid, for which I'm very pleased. . . Aiming for 10 both days this upcoming weekend.

1st good run. . .

Not a bad first "substantial" run, Saturday afternoon, 6 miles at a good pace along Sligo Creek parkway. I hate having to get back into shape, though. These next 2-3 weeks, having to build back to a base, are always rough. But there was no issue with stride, pace, form, and just minor soreness in the left ad.

Signed up for the Marine Corps Marathon (registration closed in just 5 days this year). Am now debating whether I should go ahead and sign up for LA, since I missed it this year. Still have some flight credit from canceling the ticket, so if I get a cheap flight, should be ok.

FINALLY! I RUN.

Great news, I'm back. After nearly 4 months of rest, the left adductor sprain is judged healed by a M.D. (and a great orthopod -- anyone who needs an orthopod in the DC area, Dr. Dan Pereles at Montgomery Ortho is your guy).

I am cleared to begin not only running, but training again -- and have signed up for the Marine Corps Marathon. It will be my 6th in a row. Went 4 miles last night in a gorgeous spring breeze, and it was all I could do to prevent myself from setting a 5:30 pace, I was so excited.

Excellent. I am happy beyond words.

Oh, to be in LA

So, looked like a nice time running in Los Angeles. Here's the LA Times blog, including a group of runners dressed up like Slash of GNR -- http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2008/03/noon-sunday.html

Would've been nice to be there. I made 40 quarts of bolognese sauce instead, and watched Mags and Will while the wife went running.

Why No Posts? Injured, Not Running.

Lesson one, which after 20+ years of competitive distance running I should know, is don't try to force yourself into marathon shape too quickly. But, as December rushed toward January and I dithered at 12 miles as my long run on a Saturday and Sunday, I noted that the L.A. Marathon was approaching quickly.

No problem -- just up 12 to 16 and go from there, 8 weeks to go and I'll be fine.

Or I'll pull my groin, the first running injury I've had since a stress fracture my freshman year of college. Well, not counting that whole "both knees destroyed/reconstructed" thing my junior year.

So, rather than getting on an airplane for a flight to Los Angeles tomorrow, and rather than line up at Universal City on Sunday morning to run thru L.A. on a beautiful spring morning, and rather than see friends for a long weekend, and add another state to the 50-state list, I'll be here in DC, watching my kids while my wife goes out for a long training run. And out the plane fare, too.

Let me tell you something -- I haven't missed more than 2 weeks of running in over 10 years. I'm on 6 weeks off right now, with probably another 3 or 4 to go, just to be safe. That kills the Wilmington marathon too. Anyone know a good June marathon? I think I'll be back in shape by then, if I don't go crazy in the meantime. . .

Wow. Where did November go?

Bad blogger, to abandon my post without notice. AWOL. What a late October and all of November. I'll post a larger detailed version. . . but: ran the Marine Corps Marathon, led a week-long 36 person global business delegation to Geneva & the WTO, lobbied and passed the Peru free trade agreement in the House AND Senate, had MJ's baptism, and Thanksgiving. And kept running through the whole thing. So I have lots of posts to catch up on. Running in Paris and Geneva. Running in/after last night's snowstorm (great run!). So -- let this be a placeholder and I'll catch back up. . . after my business trip to Jackson, Michigan tomorrow.

Crazy. Busy.

Apologies. It's been crazy at work, crazy at home. Still running, beginning to taper down for the Marine Corps marathon at the end of the month. The heat this last weekend was very strange -- 92 degrees on October 6? Thought we were done with that after August. Not just here in DC, either -- Chicago certainly got hit. Still, I think the decision to "cancel" the marathon was short-sighted. Hey, you sign a form when you sign up. You've been training for months in worse heat for a fall marathon. You're either gonna finish or not. They didn't cancel Boston this year (although they talked about it). I'm glad most kept on running and completed Chicago. . .