The MS Runner

Running While Battling Foot Blisters, Leg Cramps, Black Toe Nails - and MS

Archive for March, 2008


Computer, run, and tooth

Published March 22nd, 2008 in computer, root canal, Diane, Running | 5 Comments »

This is my first entry using my new computer. After 7 (?) years, I finally got a new one. The old one still worked and would do most of what I wanted, but I could tell it was getting to be like me. Takes awhile to get going and it may sputter out before it’s done. My CD/DVD drive wasn’t working which was bad because I couldn’t upload any songs from a CD to my MP3 player and most importantly, I couldn’t install the software that came with my Garmin that Diane bought me for Christmas. Well no more of that gigabyte breath! Now I am totally hooked up and there’s no excuse for me to not make the Olympic Marathon team. Really, how did they run marathons in the old days without knowing elevation gain, mile splits, and a feature that gets you back to the start? Now I can upload my run for the day and it will tell me everything, even how long my bathroom break was. I’m just now starting to figure out the features of this and once I have that mastered, I will still be the humble person that I always was.

I did 22 miles today and my calves are rebelling against me. I’ve pretty much just stayed on the couch most of the rest of the day, and I even give my calves a gentle massage. But they seem to be mad at me. When I get up to walk, they crunch up in a little ball and refuse to move. Don’t say anything, but I think that they are a bunch of babies. Nothing worse than baby calves! My run itself was nothing much to write about other than some of the awesome views that I saw. At one point, I’m running around this golf course that is right at the foothills. Very nice.

I didn’t get a chance to run as much this week because I had a chance to have a root canal done on Tuesday. No really. I don’t know if it was luck, or karma, or someone watching over me, but I got the pleasure of someone drilling my tooth, and extracting the nerve. I think that right now I should stop writing and go get a lotto ticket. It just doesn’t get any better.

Runnin’ of the Green Lucky 7K

Published March 17th, 2008 in Runnin' of the Green, St Patrick's Day, beer, Denver | 1 Comment »

I wonder if they called it Runnin’ of the Green because most people looked a little green since it was the day after most of the St Patrick’s Day celebrations. The day before this race was not a good way to prepare for this run for me. In the morning I ran 12 miles of which 4 miles were at a 7:30 pace. Then Diane and I went downtown and took in the ambiance that was St Patrick’s Day. And although it was 2 days before my birthday, we were celebrating that also.

The race attracted over 3,000 people which is crazy. The thing that gets me is the numb nuts that are up towards the front of the start line, and they have no business being there. There were people (I call them people, not runners) that after a mile were walking! This made for a really slow start for me and also made me frustrated.

The weather was very nice, around 40 degrees, but a little windy. Also downtown Denver has a few streets that are nasty hills! Other than a few dogs and a couple of strollers (don’t get me started on that stuff!), there were no other major incidents to speak of. I ended up doing 32:36 which was not too shabby I must say. That put in in about the top 10% of all the runners that day. 367th out of 3112 runners. The best part however is that they have Killian’s beer at the end. Slainte.

Daylight Savings Time

Published March 9th, 2008 in St Patrick's Day, Daylight Savings Time | No Comments »

DST has officially started, and that means that spring is here as long as you don’t live in Columbus, OH where they got 20″ of snow yesterday.  Serves them buckeyes right.  But for most of us, it means putting away your headlamp and reflective vest (unless you run in the morning where now it will be darker), and heading out the door with renewed vigor.  It is amazing what power daylight has on someones mental well being

Here in Colorado, it has been documented that we receive an average of 300 days of sunlight per year which always puts us in the top five.  You see a lot of people walking around with smiles on their faces and with seemingly not a care in the world.  Oh wait, that’s the students from Colorado University in Boulder that are high.

Did a 20 mile run yesterday and even though I’m feeling a little bit sore, overall I feel good.  There were some hilly sections which were a little bit strenuous, especially that hill in the last half mile.  But that’s over with and this week is a recovery week which I actually don’t like, but I know is essential for avoiding injuries.  Plus this coming weekend is the start of a 3 day St. Patrick’s Day celebration (along with my birthday, hint hint), so a nice short run on Saturday will be most welcome before I start to have a few pints.

The Good, Bad, and the Ugly

Published March 1st, 2008 in Nuggets, Pistons, Clint Eastwood, Irish Snug, Running | 3 Comments »

I know Clint Eastwood was never a great actor, but he was so cool.  He had “it” you know?  Turns out he is a better director than an actor, but I would much rather see him in front of the camera than not see him all.  What has this got to do with anything?  Well, nothing actually.

But speaking of the title of the movie, I had one of those weeks this week.  Some of it was good, some bad, and although nothing was really ugly, I had to put it in here because it’s a catchy title.   The week started off with going to the Nugget / Piston basketball game with a customer of mine.  Of course that involved eating bad food and copious amounts of beer.  The good thing is that that Pistons won!  On Tuesday night I did my speed and hill work and threw some plyometric exercises in there also.  That was good.  On Wednesday, I went to dinner with a supplier, and although I tried to eat good, it turned out bad.  Hey, someone else was paying so of course I had to indulge myself.  I ran 6 miles on Thursday at The Snug which was good, but the way I do it isn’t so good.  I run 3 miles, have a Guiness, then run 3 more.   I don’t think I’ve ever seen that method listed anywhere in any running magazine.  Friday, Diane and I went out to eat and it was all you could eat fish and chips!  Sweet!  I really didn’t eat that much, but it was bad.  Today was a 16 mile run and the weather was awesome.  It was 45 to start and about 55 by the time I ended.  I didn’t do too bad, which is good!  It was designed to be an easy run just to build up my miles, and I did it in a 9:02 per mile pace.  I’m happy with that, and I’m glad that this week is over.