Mohican Training

Karl took some great pictures!

Michael, Rob, Brian, Mark, Michelle, Karl

Dawn, Rob, Thomas, Don

Sunday morning we had an opportunity to introduce the Mohican trails to some who have never ran on them before. Michael Patton arranged the Unofficial MIT training Run at Mohican. Four runners got to experience the beauty of Mohican, for the first time, as we set out to run 15 miles.

We ALL decided we were not going to continue to run to the Fire Tower and back and to just stop at 9 miles. (although a run to the dam and back made it 10.5)

I am sure had nothing to do with the challenging course that the Forget the PR, Mohican 50k race provides. I am also sure it did not have anything to do with the mud that was on all of our feet for 5 miles of that run. LOL (Michelle likes a muddy section of this race course). It had nothing to do with Michael who was trying to map the course for updated race maps fell and busted his knee (he is better now).

It had everything to do with we were just a group of trail runners having fun!

Nice to meet you all and thanks for coming out!

Ok Ok!

I have received several e-mails and calls stating that I need to keep posting my info. Thanks! You asked for it.

Final Post

So here is the deal...

This is the end of my blogger posts. Sometimes in life you have to move on right? Facebook!

See you on the trails! I will be the guy with a smile.

Rob

Life Goes On!

You know this past week has been one of reflection and planning.

1 I will be a better man yesterday.2 I am a GREAT FATHER! 3 I am glad I have ran fast and slowed than to never have ran fast at all. 4 I will not be a martyr of my misery. 5 I will stand tall. 6 I will not be persecuted wrongly and care. 7 I will be happy and me. 8 I choose not to play their games. 9 I will be with positive strong minds 10 If 9 does not apply to you I am willing to help you.

On to running and off philosophical crap!

I had a great 10 Miler with Michelle on Sunday, Monday off, Tuesday met with Eric for his first trail run for 5 miles and I ran 7 miles today with Don and we measured the section from the fire tower to the covered bridge for the Forget the PR course to ensure accuracy. GPS 4.03 Wheel 4.06. Leaving the course length on that section as marked 4.25 miles. With 6 GPS units showing 30.5 to 31.1 miles I say we are GPS friendly plus the entire course has been wheeled twice.

Put together a 100 mile training plan for Umstead 100. I gave Michelle a copy but expect her to make some changes to what she likes. We just like having someone to call slackers when we do not get our runs in. I try to run with Michelle as much as possible and Don once a week. it helps.

Columbus Marathon and RWS

I have a medal. LOL

Slow down you've got to make the moment last!

See I do have Groupies! Thanks Olive and Donie

Ok, Ok, Ok... I need to get my race report up and tell some more lies.

First, the Columbus Half Marathon was very enjoyable. I had a slight hamstring tweek from all the freaking hills at the Oil Creek 50k the weekend before. It was there but not painful this weekend. I planned on taking it very easy at the Columbus race as just a place to get my long run in. I have enjoyed so much just enjoying these races not focusing on the race but focusing on the fun and surroundings. I even took time out to sit on the bench and watch the race go by like I did in the Cleveland Marathon.

I went up with Kristen, Eric, Jim, Scott, Leslie and Michelle. This was great to ride with a group to a race as it was so much fun! I had a set of pink bunny ears that I put on when Eric and Kristen showed up. I had everyone in on the joke that I wear bunny ears before races as a little bit of a pre race tradition. I have met Eric and Kristen a few times and thought it would be fun to do this. They both took it in stride after the first couple of "hey nice ears" and I acted like nothing was strange about it and finally said Oh yeah, I have always done this pre race thing and continued on talking about other things with the bunny ears on like nothing was strange. LOL it was darn funny!

We ate at Max and Ermas after and Eric Jim and I worked on our beer in take since everyone else ran the Marathon we just knew that we had to do something longer that day as Eric and I did the half. LOL. Everyone had a great showing and did a great job at their race! I ran a 2:10 and had a blast!

Additional Congrats go to Michale Patton for breaking a 3 hour marathon and Tony Tanner for completing his marathon in style.


I am planning on going to Run with Scissors in the morning after all. I am just going for a trail run. I will run between 26.2 miles and 53.4 miles. Since it is a double Marathon I understand that the Race Director MR ROY HEGER has located a few additional hills that he put into the race. Last year I worked an aid station and I want to make sure I try out some of his hills this year.


Hope you enjoyed the pictures.

Oil Creek 50K

Way Cool Oil in PA "Birth Place" who would have thought!

Beautiful course

Kim, Brian and I think Mike (he had a Western States buckle on so he is awesome!)

Happy Boy!

I headed off to Oil Creek State Park where Tom Jennings Race director was putting on his first 100, 50, and 31.1 mile race. Tom is a Mohican 100 Finisher and first year race director. we have been friends for some time and have traveled to races together. He has raised many many dollars for food banks and yest again his primary focus on this race was to bring attention to Oil Creek but also to raise money for charities. Way Cool! I found his course to be more challenging then Mohican and well organized. I would recommend that this race is put on your list for next year.

I arrived Friday evening to find a wet Titusville PA. I was less then impressed with putting up my tent in the rain and decided that I should use my big truck as the headquarters for this race the next two days. I went inside to find volunteers everywhere and a cafeteria of runners at the local school which served as the race start and finish.

I grabbed my food and was walking across the school cafeteria having flash backs of trying to find the cool people to sit with. Just kidding. At an ultra race you can sit with a table of strangers and leave as friends. I heard a "hey Rob" and it was my friend Kim calling me over. I was able to sit and chat with Brian, Kim, Mike, Nick, Maria, Amy and Maria's Mom. We even took time out to marvel at Ms Boner. No not Ms Bonner. Brian had fun with that as he just had to go see and meet Mr. Boner. We all thought for a few min how Mr Boner approached Ms Boner and asked her out initially.... He must be very cool. I digress.

I was sitting that at the prerace meeting nervous. "Nervous"? I have run in one or two races before so why am I so nervous? Prerace anxiety? I really did not know how or if I would be able to finish the race with all that has gone on. Am I ready yet, I sat there and thought when I spoke with my friends. I later spoke with Tanya, Mark Shelton, Dan, Dusty and her husband (sorry I have short term memory) and a few other ultra runners before heading to my truck for some sleep.

The next morning, I woke at 4:45 am and the rain was still around and I knew that the 100 mile runners were going to have a cold day and even a cold night to come. With temperatures expected to be in the low 30s I could only hope that the 100 milers prepared as I snuggled back into my sleeping bag to sleep for another hour. I walked over to the cafeteria in my pajamas to find some of the ultra runners all ready to start there 50 mile race which started at 6am. Maria and Amy were dressed as twins as they asked why I was not ready yet. I think I just muttered good luck as I headed to the coffee pot and walked back to my sleeping bag in my truck. The mist/rain and low 40's were telling me that I wanted to go back to sleep and not run yet.

I had my breakfast (Pop Tart, PBJ & Ensure) and finished my breakfast as I hopped out of the truck in my shorts the Forget the PR, Mohican 50k t-shirt and my hydration pack. I headed back to the cafeteria for some inter-mingling with the 50k runners. I saw there in front of me Pokey Slug of the TSI Slugs. We chatted for a while catching up on our life and laughed as we charged the other saying that the last place award would be ours.

The race was about to start. I saw all the runners on the line and I just walked in front of everyone across the street and stood and stared. I was watching them all under that start line banner with the time clock ready to record their moment in time. I was just full of excitement and nervousness still. Wow! I thought as I walked back to the crowd and placed myself in the back of the pack. 2009 has been a hell of a year I thought.

As far as the race goes, I will keep it short. I ran and walked, the hills were tall, long, short and hard. I was not ready for a fast 50k by even my current ability but I was ready for an ultra with my ultra friends. I ran with Pokey, Kim, Mark and met new friends harassed a girl that was wearing a Michigan t-shirt (which I beat) I ran with the front runners (only cause about 25 runners failed to see the proper course marking and took a 3-4 mile wrong turn). I ate plenty of food and was thankful I was not doing a 50 or 100 miler and found the course to be tougher than Mohican and very scenic. I fizzled out about mile 27 and had some crampy feeling in the back of my hamstring that permitted me to run only a bit but fine when walking.

Mark Shelton and I walked the last mile in together as I thought about when I called him up after my back surgery and he took so much time to share information about recovery from back surgery. He had the same type of surgery. Lots had happened since then. But I crossed that finish line and I had never felt that I had earned it more as what I did in that picture.

Run for Regis (Winter Buckeye Trail 50k) 2010

Entered

Darn Hills!

Ok, so the week leading to the Oil Creek 50k will be a good week! I have to say that I am happy where I am at with respect to my running. I had a great 13.2 mile run with some awesome hills yesterday with Michelle. I was supposed to run with Lucas, Luca, nick and his pacer for his 100 miler Bret at Mohican but found myself a bit under the weather in the morning and had to bail. By days end I was feeling so much better and was needing to run. I texted Michelle and we were able to meet at Lexington for a good run. The course was full of hills that I was able to work many of them. I got tired with about 1 mile to go and I slowed to a fast walk to recover a bit. other than that short walk and one of the big hills I ran the entire way including some big ass hills. 11 min mile average. About 2 min 30 sec per mile pace off the normal.

I went to the Mansfield Area Y Road Runners Club Tuesday and was a couple min late as I pulled in just as the crew (bunches of them) was heading out. i ditched my truck and ran with Don Baun and Joe Crawford and even got to talk to Wayne about ice cream. Then I went to Rancho and drank two nice beers and ate some good Mexican food followed by a great homemade dessert. A weekly treat from Melanie!

Molly was able to come hang with me two days this week as she is keeping her dad organized. We made it out to the video store and got ourselves some junk food. Hmm that would be why I did not run Wednesday, I was eating junk food. LOL

Friday came and I was thinking that I would have no problems getting another run in which i did. Finally! The week just flew buy and I kept telling myself I was tapering. LOL It did not feel like it yesterday.

21 miles of Mohican

I am going to do the ultimate stealing from any post ever. I will stop short of being plagiarism. Nick (who will be completing a 100 miler in October) has to have his running adventure shared for one, and two he does and awesome job describing the group run in Mohican.

http://runtrailsforever.blogspot.com/2009/09/what-awesome-sunday.html

Ha

Training for a 50k?

Ok, so I am back on my feet more and more each day. I am coming to grips with the slower pace I am going to have to run. Many of the Physical Therapist I have talked to said that I should expect 1 to 1 and a 1/2 years before I get completely recovered based on their experience.

Ok, this is fine. I was told about a book "no need for speed."

Followed up with the Dr the other day and while we are progressing and looking better in all terms there are a few more questions that will be answered in November when I have a repeat CT scan completed of my lungs. The Dr approved my increased miles and the 50k and encouraged me to sign up for the Umstead 100 which I made it in.

I ran 7 miles Tuesday and I ran 5 miles yesterday. I then went and practiced my darts as my league starts this upcoming Sunday afternoon.

Half Marathon Completed

I made the decision to go and run in the Mansfield YMCA half marathon being held at Lexington, Ohio. I arrived early enough to meet with the Mansfield Area Y Running Club at 7:00 am. Michelle also was planning on running the half. It was so nice to see so many local runners and many were interested in how I was doing and how my recovery was going. I could tell how supportive they all were with me attempting the half marathon. Funny how I am using the word "attempt" It is not like the word "alleged". (how fake!) This was my first attempt at 13 miles since my recent medical issues and it was so nice to be on the start line.

Now for those of you that ran with me before you know I has not extremely fast wheels but steady and could maintain the 7:30's for a marathon at my prime. Today was not the same. I ran a 2:10 half marathon at an average 9:59 per mile pace. Yes, that was some what reserved but still only about 5 min off what I had the potential at present to do. I pooped out at mile 9 and the body was tired but was steady. I ran with two fellas and we shared experiences of life and we discussed that it was funny how me being at 190lbs I was the smallest of the three. We aptly labeled our selves the big men running group. WE were proud.

Michelle took off and I saw her and the front runners including Teri Lemke right on her heals at the 7 mile mark on their way back in. Michelle too first place female and first place age group. She even came back out to pace me into the finish the last two miles. Way cool! Thanks!

When headed towards the finish line I was so happy to know that I am back out there. I was so happy to finish and cross that line. The support was great!

"Ego": ego has nothing to do with running but competitive is still there. Out of 20 runners I was 19th with the last place runner nipping on my heals the last two miles. Humble I am and DAMN HAPPY TO FINISH!

I have been adjusting to my new place as I moved out from my house last week. I miss my daughter and wish that things would had been different. I could have handled things much better, but those are mistakes I must live and move on happy! I am fortunate to be 3/4 of a mile from Molly and while Mom and I may not always agree on everything we both agree on letting Molly feel encouraged to see each of us as she chooses. Molly has been over a few times this week and has even helped me decorate and told me I would have to "man up and realize that sometimes you have to buy girly stuff when decorating". She is cool! She said that she likes "our house". Way cool!

Still moving along.

Dropped too much money the past week. Mattress x2, Bedding x2,movers, household groceries, household items, expensive, evening with Molly watching cool shows on tv: Priceless! Molly made sure I did not buy the John Deere bedding.

Umstead 100

See ya on the start line March 27th 2010.

Ultra runners do it longer.

Chip, Joe, Mayo (no shoes, he is tough who needs shoes! LOL), Michael, Rob, Brady, Terry and Me. We did the red and green loops.

No, no, no... It is not some cheap bumper sticker. Although good. I just am making a comment about ultra runners and the reality is that they are all the most honest, true, supportive people that you will ever meet in your life. For example:

I ran 11 miles this weekend at Mohican. I met this great crew of ultra runners who were there to run 21 miles. They started and met me 2.5 miles later where I knew that I could run a modified route to get 10-11 miles. You need to understand that these runners are there to train and they all have the ability to run fast. While before injury I could keep up with most with no problems and even nip on their heals a bit in races.

They all took a slower approach to keep me with in reach. At no time of my 11 miles did I run by myself! That was the most meaningful thing that could have occurred as a runner and as a person. Ultra runners will always be there for you long after!

3 miles recovery run this morning!

6 Mo Miles!

6 Miles at Mo.

Good couple of days

I went last night to watch Molly play her first volleyball game of her life. It seems that due to her being tall and a good softball player one of the coaches thought she would be great at Volleyball so she choose that over Cross Country. While Volleyball has some of its' own sources of funny events i.e. anyone that has ever seen 7th and 8th graders warm up for a volleyball knows what I mean. I do like cross country.

I was able to run 3 miles yesterday and Monday got my bike and weights in. This morning at 3:30 AM I awoke wide awake and went ahead and got my weights and core strength training done.

Last evening I went to the Mansfield Y Running Club after running a few errands and a meeting. I was greeted with well wishes and a lovely after dinner home made treat! All and all a great day fun to talk smack with Don and Michelle who were also both there. I really appreciate all the e-mails and visits to me in the recent months. I plan to run Thursday with the Y running club at Mohican. A few miles anyways.

6+ Miles of Mohican

It is all on the face.

GOOD NEWS!

Most of you know I had blood clots in both lungs left leg. Lucky to be here. The CT Scan indicated abnormal Heart and Lungs issues that needed followed up. Drs said "probably" nothing. All test are back and are NORMAL! Pheewww What a two we...eks. Runners Read more here about runners and blood clots: http://runningdoctor.runnersworld.com/2008/11/are-runners-mor.htmlRead More

Want to call it a long run?

Long day long run. Saturday, I was able to run a 3 mile SLOW jog. I was very pleased with the jog and really enjoyed it! Amy was nice enough to ride her bike beside me to assure I was safe on my run.

This morning, I got up and did a 1 mile warm up, a walk a 1 mile run, a .50 walk, a 1 mile jog and a .50 cool down walk. Phewww. All good.

Respiratory system is getting better. Regular walking and daily life, sleep, I do not feel any pain or reduced breathing as it feels normal.

When running there is no pain, however, I do notice a bit of reduced breathing with any pick up speed as I test the waters. This is to be expected as the lungs get worked as the Dr suggested.

I am all good! I think I am recovering from my back very well. This little hiccup is nothing.

Early Morning Work Out

I got up early to get my work out done. I finished sprayed some bees and promptly went back to sleep. LOL

I passed on a 20 miler today. I just felt like I would do it later. Ha.

I am an idiot one more time! LOL

I went for a MRI of my heart today at the Cleavland Clinic.

I had three three things that was looked at in the past week when I was hospitalized. I figure it is time I share them with you....

Blood Clots, Heart, and Lungs. All had abnormalities that was explained to me in a series of progression. I would alo like to say that the Cleveland Clinic has been so helpful and has done great!.


I think you all saw my first installment of the blood clots. The question we are trying to answer is why do I have them.

The heart was one thing that was brought up while I was in the hospital. The heart was an issue due to: 1- high blood pressure, apparently my blood pressure went up when they said something like, ah? what was it? ohh yea! You are lucky to be here you should be dead!

You have a clot in your left leg and multiple clots in your lungs! Hmm no fucken shit my blood pressure went up.

Ok now keep count this is now the third thing they said to me follow along, blood clots, high blood pressure, and now an enlarged heart. The enlarged heart was found by the CT scan they did on day 1.

The next day, day 2, in the hospital they did a cardio echo gram and they said my heart is fine. Phew. They said it was enlarged due to my running and was normal. No concerns.

At some point of time, I had taken a look at the CT scan report and noticed it has something to the effect of Pulmonary Nodule 1.6 CM. I was like what is that? I asked the Dr when he visited on Day three. He explained that our first concern is treating the blood clots and that there is no reason to worry about that at this point of time. It is probably a shadow or a bump that is nothing at all and follow up after I am released.

After some Q&A he said he would speak to the Radiologist as the Pulmonary Dr assigned to the hospital is off this week. He said again that there was no immediate concern to bring in anyone else as the blood clots is our priority. The second radiologist said that the location was just to tough to read conclusively and nothing makes the Dr or the Radiologist freak out as EVERY THING: body parts, organs and blood is perfect! They said it is PROBABLY nothing!

That evening I got my hands on the computer and looked the term. I can continue into a long drawn out definition but the summary is Benign and or Malignant, At that point I had a Panic Attack as my mind does not see all the reasons why it is less than a good reason to worry. But: my heart raced tachycardia or something like that for 8 beats. Then it stopped. I felt it and I knew it. The next morning guess who walked in. The Cardiologist. They caught the heart doing this on my heart monitor. He said after some Q&A and review with history and another Cardio doc that looks at electrical items they said it is PROBABLY nothing But due to the enlargement of the heart lets get a MRI done when you get out.

So today was they day. The MRI on the heart. I made it there, but had to get some X-Rays before the DR would allow me to get the MRI done. Years ago, I had previous exposure to bullet shrapnel from my days on a Prison SWAT team. Long story. Not worth really sharing. But I did get cleared. The notable stuff was that I spoke to people who had come from Utah, NC, and VA to attend the Cleveland Clinic heart treatments. AMAZING! My Dr who is part of the Cleveland Clinic has access to all this!

So the MRI was done and the MRI required me to have an injection and it lasted 40 min. I drove home to Galion. Next thing I knew I walked in the door and my cardio Dr called. He said ALL IS OK MY HEART AND RELATED FUNCTIONS ARE PERFECT AND HEALTHY!

So I was one less thing on my mind and I went to go to get groceries. Now for something funny! My IV injection point on my hand for the MRI... While shopping I became very sore and bumps showed up and I thought it was clots from the IV point. I went to the emergency room. Well I guess I am a bot gun shy. Turns out it was irritation of the vein from the injection. I felt like even more of an idiot than I am.

Ok, Clots being treated, heart is ok. Tuesday, I have an appt with a great Pulmonologist who is going to give me some great great news about my lung. Based on statistics I will be fine. Man it has been a long past two weeks.

Cleared to jog slow.

I met with my Dr from the Cleveland Clinic who also is an ultra runner today. While we have some additional things to look at I heard some reassuring news today. The Dr explained to me that I would benefit much more from an easy jog than what I would from a fast walk. He said that mentally I need it and physically it will not hurt me a bit. So I did just as soon as I got home. 2 Miles! And of course a walk recovery. Now I am going to go lay down in bed for a while. after a bit more of a walk.

I like you!

Molly made the 8th grade volleyball team! She has been playing so much softball that she had been noticed by a volleyball varsity coach and told to try out for volleyball. She has only played in school gym stuff and that is it. But she took a liking to the idea and tried out for the team with two days of her life at camp. She and came home and told me the good news that she made the team. I was so happy for her and she was so proud of herself. I saw her Cross Country Coach from last year and he said he was disappointed to have lost her.

Note: Now for my own personal ramblings. I appreciate all those providing the support recently. I just needed to post this one as it was that important to me. I am NOT looking for comments.

The rest of my day went down and down and down. I had a mental health break down yesterday a pretty bad one. One, I guess I needed to deal with. Faced with so many things my brain is a swirl.

I am not normally a crying man but yesterday I was able to let it all out and let go. I walked for almost two miles even in the rain crying like a big baby and continued off an on the rest of the evening. The bed feels like a good place to be for now. Sometimes the most painful and toughest decision of your life is to let go, but sometimes the choice is made and you can only hope that you can live with the decision.

Reality: Once in a while you get a chance to impact someones life and you can only hope that the impact that was left is positive and one that will always make that person feel they were glad they met you. Your impact on this earth is very minimal in reality. We are just a second of the existence of earth. Most certainly only one or two people you know today will be here in 100 years. Most of us in our 30s will be dead in 50 years. Over half of everyone we know will be gone. That car, that house, that bill, that pain in the ass neighbor, the mean boss, the hard expectations on and on. It all just does not matter in the big scheme of life.

I saw yesterday the impact of my decisions in life. I realized that my one and most important thing to me, is Molly, and she loves her Daddy so so much! I have a few, well more than a few things to work on in my second on this earth. Sometimes we are given an opportunity half way through our second on this earth to reflect before you finish the other half.

Now I have had my poor me this past week. I can not change those answers to which I am seeking and shall receive in the next couple of weeks. I can only look and think that if my second was up. Did I make the right decisions? Will the decisions you make today make a person glad that they met you if you left tomorrow? You decisions can impact persons far reaching after your second is up. Of course emotions will fade and time will pass.

I think that if you make a decision and it was wrong, Karma will come to see you if you are hurting others. If you make a decision and it was a wrong choice, Fate will fix what was meant to be. Everything happens for a reason.

Time will tell and lessons will be learned. You can only hope that time will not run out. I am going to go back to bed. I have a Drs appt today and then am going to continue to crash for a couple of days. Then I will make it up to see what Karma and Fate has in store. Damn yesterday sucked so so bad!

OK lets go!

Oh hell yea!

So I am trying to get so many things done I was just pushing pushing pushing. Go Go Go! I was yet reminded today one more time that there is nothing that important in life! Now don't get me wrong I am not trying to get philosophical on you, well sorta.

I was driving along writing notes making phone calls and placing the mind in the wrong place. Then there was the reminder. Mansfield Police with a laser! Ha! Got me. Busted $118 fine. Suck it not that big of a deal all cool. "Slow down Rob" he said. Ha Slow Down Rob!

Had a great letter from my Grandmother inserted with a get well card. She said Slow Down Rob Slow Down!

Life brings that time to you and I hear it saying Slow Down Rob Slow Down!

Blood Clots!

I am lucky to be alive today and I mean that with all of my heart. Even though I was receiving recent medical care I had a blood clot not treated in my left calf. I think sharing my story; my signs and symptoms may educate you on this scary event and just may save your life.

As you know I have spent past 7 days in the hospital with DVT in my left leg and PE in both of my lungs and multiple clots at that. I do believe that when I completed the Pig May 3rd I failed to hydrate and keep stretching as I then drove home for 3 hours. I do carry 98 to 99 % O2 in my lungs even with the PE.

My DVT symptoms were pain in my left calf that it felt like a muscle pull. My PE symptoms was I had some limited shortness of breath when running but severe pain in my back to lower rib cage in the front. This pain felt like a muscle pull but came and went and hurt more when I breathed in. I also was coughing some blood.

As I lay in my hospital bed the past week I reflected over the past few months and trying to figure out what has been happening to my health.

At 38 years of age, I recently ran a 4:12 at the Green Jewel 50k and a 3:34 at the Cincinnati Pig Marathon all while maintaining 50-70 mile training week(s). The high mileage weeks were to train for my need complete the Mohican 100 Mile trail race. Not bad for a 190-195 lbs man.

In the period of time from my marathon in May to today I have been hospitalized for 9 days so far with two of those days the result of back surgery. The past week (7 days), I have been hospitalized for blood clots in my left leg and both lungs. I am sharing this with you now to try to get the word out about Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) and Pulmonary Embolism (PE).

The cause of my blood clots is really not know for sure as of yet. I am receiving tests to help determine if I have a genetic predisposition to having blood clots or a medical condition. It is possible that it occurred as a result of my back surgery (June 4th). I think that you will draw the same conclusion that I did my signs and symptoms developed before my back surgery.(read my blog)

In fact I think it is likely I have had a blood clot (leg) since May the 6th and I received blood clots in my lungs in the last two weeks. I think that I received the blood clot in the leg after the Cincinnati marathon after not taking a break and then driving home while having limited stretching.

This is a very serious situation and I am lucky to be alive. Time will tell if I will ever be able to run again. I will need medication that will make me bleed like crazy and presents a new hazard. Of course the Drs found other things to poke and prod so go get a physical blood work chest x-ray etc. Also see Kim's Web site with additional links and information.

5 Miles training

Nothing really to say 3 miles total running 2 miles of it consecutive and 2 miles walking. Just tracking some numbers for recovery history and future info.

So the past two weeks I have been doing the 1 mile warm up with one mile walk rotating till I get 5 miles. This weekend I ran 2 miles consecutive and then 3 miles consecutive on Tuesday.

Today, I went with a half mile warm up 1 mile run .50 walk with 2 miles run and 1 mile cool down walk. I am feeling good. Numbness in my foot still there and about 75% muscle control in the left leg with only 40% push off ability when walking or running. Stretching and running has brought good results.

I have been swimming 1/2 mile laps three times a week, Bike rides 5-8 miles 4 times a week, weights 3 times a week, and core training. I have a way to go but I am getting there.

When running the leg does not cause much problems or the back does not hurt a bit. I get some odd sensations with the muscles acting like they do. Stretching is great! Just learning how to adapt and the body is working along. LOL I do get pretty winded and I am sucking wind. I am a bit perplexed by that but hell I am running and the Dr is encouraging it. Slow low miles and steady. LOL

Check please!

1/2 mile swim this morning with a 5 mile bike ride in the evening.

3 mile run

I went to run club today. I was going to meet Don for a run but failed to be on time due to to many mid life crisis issues. LOL. True though... I got to the YMCA to meet the Mansfield Y Road Runners Club at 6:37 PM they were all gone. Prompt, and funny as I thought it was ironic that I am the one that always leaves on time. They leave at 6:30 PM.

I started off towards the location that the club runs, into a housing development. This area I am not real familiar with so I was working off some of the past run memories and my short term memories, I have a real short term memory. I am sure that I found all of the roads that made it impossible to find ANYONE.

I just kept a slow but steady pace and the next thing I knew, I was on Cline and way too far away from where I needed to be. I had also noticed that the hills were causing problems. Yes, I was winded. Ha, me winded, I would like to say that some of the muscle control issues were the culprit, but I was just damn out of breath. I did not stop as I climbed hill after hill, heading back to the Y.

I finally was able to catch up with the mid group (cause of a turn) and and followed the Y t-shirts back to the spot which I started. (BOB, HINT I NEED A Y T-SHIRT!) I saw many of the runners back at the Y. Kay, Chip, Bob, Mayo, Don, Joe (100 mile Joe!) and many others. I enjoyed talking to Chip and took in every word of advice and methods of training he spoke about with respect to mechanics of running and the body. Smart dude that Chip. He seems to be able to repeat all that he reads.

Off to Rancho for some beer and Mexican food! Ohhhhh that beer oh and of course that food. Michelle also stopped by and she too is getting ready for a 100 miler like Joe Crawford next weekend. Joe will be attempting his first 100 miler and Michelle will be attempting her first slow and methodical 100 miler to be a fast 100 miler. Chip is pacing Joe for his race and Michelle is trying to find a pacer.

I too will be at the BR 100 miler! Oh well, I will not run it this year, but I will be working plenty of aid stations. I cant wait to see the race start and while I will be envious I will be supportive (bastards! He He Hee) . I have three aid stations I am working during the race. Maria, Tanya and Lloyd! I will figure out which ones. Here I come. I am taking a break from softball as Molly has a weekend off finally!

Good luck Nick, Kim, Mark and all. You will do great!

So, the three miles! I ran 3 miles with out stopping and I feel better now than I did before. I am happy with this run and the bike swim and walks with the weights have been great. I think I am ready to go run on the local bike trail where some punks beat up a 70 year old man and mugged him. He is back in the hospital once again due to his injuries.

This type of assault was of the second type this week at the same section. I do not wish ill harm to anyone, but this is the type of situation that I wish I would happen out of the woods upon from a pee break. Today someone would have been in jail. Senseless! That is a terrible situation and that 70 year old man needed not to have been hurt like that. It is not like he is on the trail with thousands of dollars! DUH

Criminals are not that smart or they would not have committed the crime. After working in the prison system for 17 years I was never more happy to find a new job with a different agency. Some people may think that individuals that work in a prison system have a distorted focus on life, but reality is, we just see things much more clearer. How could we possibly be compared with criminal minds? That would just be ignorant! Just like the criminals that hurt that 70 year old man.

Forward Moving

I have been able to get lap swims, bike rides, walks, weights and runs in all this week. I ran the 5 days this week with warm up walks alternating run walks each mile. I had 1 day with a 1.5 mile run and today a 2 mile run. Nothing fast and still very deliberate feet placement, but all on trail with exception this morning I went to meet the Mansfield Run club for 2 miles.

Bob and Mayo ran with me on my short and slow run today. Mayo has been bitten by the ultra running bug! Good for him. Bob said he has close to 300 people receiving the Mansfield Area YMCA Road Runners Club news letter.

I saw the Dr Friday and he said that he does not want to see me in the office any longer. He said that he has no restrictions on me and to continue doing what does not cause the pain. We will still need to wait and see about the current muscle loss and how it goes over time. I got a kick out of him when I said I was running short runs. He said "oh what is that 20 miles?"

I will am still planning on the "Running with Scissors" race in October as my return race to ultra running. I will see how progression goes. I have a few other races that I am planning but the race schedule will be shorter in years to come and approach will be much different.

Trail Running, Who Me?

I had a GREAT time this weekend. It started with a little trip to Lake Erie to visit my buddy Dave and his boat. I had a hard time deciding which I missed more. LOL Just kidding Dave. But I do want my boat back!

I drove over Saturday morning over to the Buckeye Trail 50K and worked at the Pine Lane Aid Station. I was so impressed with the speed that the front three came into and ran out of the aid station. They came in at a dead sprint grabbed a handful of food water and ran right back out. 3-5 seconds max. Amazing! I am normally grazing. LOL Vince once again had great volunteers (including me LOL) and pulled off a wonderful race!.

Today, I got up (5:00 am) and volunteered at the Mid Ohio Super Bike Weekend. Pit Row passes for 4 hours of work! I had a blast and oh my what balls the guys and girls have riding those things. There was also a few other perks of the job.

This evening I went to my local park for 4 miles of trail work. I did my stretch a 1 mile warm up walk and then 1 mile jog (13:48) .50 mile hike 1 mile jog (13:23) and a .50 mile cool down. I loved it! I am sure I did not put a few great points in on this weekend. I had the absolute best time this weekend it was GREAT!