September 12th, Tuesday

Back at rehab this morning after a total 4 day foot vacation. I believe the rest had the desired effect because my feet are feeling much  less abused at this time. I am back to wearing orthotics and ready to do a run tomorrow.

Stats- Thankfully, stats are remaining stable through this period of stormy waters.

On the coaching front the Jackson Liberty boys won her first tri-meet today beating Lacey Township and Lakewood. Neither one was a strong team, and our performance shows we still need a lot of work. But two wins to start the season: can’t be better than that!  Most positive sign was top five within 46 seconds. And five of the top seven are underclassmen.

September 8th,  Friday

Still feeling lots of discomfort in both feet today.  Very confused!    A plethora of variables is impacting my lower legs: orthotics; daily foot and ankle exercises; fledgling running, swimming, biking, elliptical efforts;  constant  stretching; heating and icing, whirlpool.   It seems like much-a-do with no noticeable positive impact. So I am taking a brief pause to allow my feet to relax and acclimate to all of this stimuli.  My plan is to wear only my well-padded sandals between now and next Tuesday morning when I have a physical therapy session scheduled.  A total vacation from stimuli  for my feet.    ( No heat or ice, no stretch, no exercises,  no run, no bike treadmill elliptical, no swim, no whirlpool, no orthotics)

On the positive side the Liberty boys cross-country team is looking a lot better this year. We have about 18 guys on the team and the varsity seems to have a solid six or eight runners. I think we can be very competitive. I have been enjoying my assignment coaching the Killer B’s.  That is my name for the sub Varsity group that I have been working with for the last week. I have some degree of autonomy with these guys concerning workouts and they seem to be responding pretty well.

Don’t know how much I will be posting in the next 3 days because I will not have any workouts to report and do not want to continue simply whining. If I think of anything interesting to share I will definitely post.  In the meantime have a good weekend everybody!

September 7th,  Thursday8

Today I did 6 miles on the bike with 3 x 100m strides after the 5 mile mark.  Felt good.   Plus ran a little more at practice in the afternoon with the young guys.

Good stats.

September 6th,   Wednesday

Early morning physical therapy and afternoon cross country practice at Liberty.  Fun working with the young guys..

Stats steady….

September 5th, Tuesday

I tried to upload Chubby Checker but it wouldn’t play. But you know the words!  TWIST

I set out on a bike ride late today and halfway through I decided to add a little twist. Because I am experiencing repeated soreness in both my Achilles tendon and plantar fascia after each time I try to run a couple of miles,I decided to try a new strategy. I will run less strides but with a little more intensity. So I stopped in the middle of my bike ride and did 50 x high knees wow balancing on each foot and two 100 stride straightaways.  This got me as winded as I have been in quite some time. It makes me question my fitness. But I hopped back on my bike and finished the half an hour ride. All in all I would call it a fairly demanding 30 minutes. And I like the new twist. I will see how my feet respond to this new stress

Stats –

I-Mad and I-Mid still 4/5 out of bed! ?

Weight = #153

a.m.HR = 54BPM

Sleep =8 hours

Workout = New twist above ??

September 3, Sunday

Spent a full hour at solid work in the fitness center tonight followed  by 20 minutes in the hot whirlpool.  (20 minutes on bike, 12 minute mile on treadmill,  10 minutes on elliptical, 20 minutes upper body weights)

Pleasantly tired,  ready for bed!

Stats holding steady.

September 2nd, Saturday

During an early morning cross country practice at Ocean County Park our top guys got in excess of 10 miles and I did 30 minutes in motion mostly running and some walking. The guys also finished up with eight times 120m strides working on good form. We are definitely ahead of last year but still have a long way to go to be competitive.

Stats-  I-Mad AND I-MID STILL 3/4

Everything else = no change

September 1st,  Friday

A late afternoon return to the road…….

With a touch of autumn in the air it felt good to run 3 miles on the road in Jackson.   My feet in the new Orthotics, slightly adjusted by Dr. Faith this morning, are tolerable.  Not perfect, hopefully I will get adjusted. It seems that my aerobic fitness level is not bad despite what I consider a lost summer of training.

Stats –

I-Mad and I-Mid =  3/4

Weight – #153

a.m.HR – 54BPM

Sleep – 7 hours

Workout – 3 miles in 36:15. Not blazing but done!

August 31st, Thursday

AS SUMMER WANES…

It has been a while: I am jot sure why.  But today after a solid early morning physical therapy session I rode 40 minutes on the bike 7.1 miles.  Must sleep now as a.m.  starts with an early visit with Dr. Faith at Rothman Institute for orthotics evaluation.

August 30,  Wednesday

On this very comfortable August evening Arlene and I went to Avon boardwalk. We walked and enjoyed the ocean breeze.  I added a 20 minute easy run covering 1.76 miles.  The discomfort report is guardedly optimistic.  Afterwards  we shared a very tasty Mahi Mahi dinner.

Arlene snapped this picture while I was running.

Stats are stable.,