Elliptical is OUT

So with my achilles problem not getting better, I decided that a little elliptical training yesterday at my World Class health club would be just the ticket to recovery. Wrong.
During my short but hilly 5 mile run my achilles ached every step. Prior to the elliptical adventure I just had to run a little flatfooted to not hurt, but this time out I was really sore.

Down But Not Out

January, a new year but a 2011 carryover injury. Still working on my Achilles tendinosis.

• Tendinitis. This actually means "inflammation of the tendon," but inflammation is rarely the cause of tendon pain.
• Tendinosis. This refers to tiny tears (microtears) in the tissue in and around the tendon caused by overuse. In most cases Achilles tendon pain is the result of tendinosis, not tendinitis. Some experts now use the term tendinopathy to include both inflammation and microtears. But many doctors may still use the term tendinitis to describe a tendon injury.
• 
  

Oddly enough, 20 years ago, a couple of weeks of rest and it'd go away? What's with this aging thing?

Anyway, did the Stinky Spoke ride on Saturday, - perfect weather: Rain (with trail turning to mud), a little sleet (how did that guy know to bring goggles?) , then snow to cover the big rocks and deep ruts to keep the surprises coming.

An aside about standard mountain bike brakes in freezing wet weather - THEY DON'T STOP THE BIKE!!!

I finished with a head of steam (or was that with a steaming head?) and went straight to the car and home, didn't stop by the outside tent where they were serving cold beer and awarding prizes. I only had three cards when I finished and, of those, could only say with certainty what two of them were.

Can't wait 'till next year!

Achilles Anyone?

Well, I am on the injured reserve for a while. My achilles is sore and the Thanksgiving football game didn't help it any.

Early Training

Signed up for Ironman Canada (Actually Ironman Across the Border from Washington State) in August 2010. My bike has improved from last year, my run has stayed the same but my swim has gotten slower. All I can say about my swim is, although slow, it has become very efficient. That's to say my hundred time is the same as my 3000 yard time (just divide by 30). For my age group (65+) I am a middle of the pack swimmer. I am looking forward to the 2000 people plus mass swim start 'cause me and the other old guys will let the racers pummel each other for the first 500 yards then find a pummeled survivor to draft off of.
So I've had a 6:16 and a 6:20 70.3 time last year (1st and 2nd in division) so I expect a 14 hour 'day at the office' for the Ironman. I have been practicing the Ironman shuffle running style, not letting my heart rate exceed L2 (110 BPM) and keeping my knees and footstrike low. Did the Seattle marathon last fall and learned some neat stuff - like you really cannot go out too slow - if the guy in front of you has a shirt that says 'Race Official - Do not pass' don't believe him; don't be offended if a lady at the aid station says "..as long as you're standing around could you help with the water"; when the truck behind you is picking up the barricades - try to pick up the pace; when the guys at the medical tent wave you inside - don't go - they won't let you out again; don't be offended if the cops are all gone when you get to some intersections, just use the crosswalk button.
Gotta go - 2000 yard interval training this afternoon so I need to ice my, well, you name it and I need to ice it.

What's With My Hamstring

Raced a 10K this morning , mile 1 was 7:15; mile 2 was 7:20; mile 3 was 9:20 (right hammy cramped up). kept running hoping I could run it off. It got a little better and I finished in 52:11 (official time was 53:12 - they appeared to have added a minute to everyone's time - no chip). I was third in the 60+ and first in the 65+ age group. Need to get a massage for that bad boy! Only water on the course was at the 3.1 mile marker - too late for my hydration.

May was O.K.

Did a lot of bike riding this May - Mercer Island loop with Sara G. ; 7 Hills of Kirkland 62 miler; some long Sat. morning rides. I've got a shoulder problem (right) that aches but doesn't hurt while running, swimming, lifting or biking - it's a mystery!

Slower than ever?

Maybe it's the training miles, maybe it's the one day off per week, maybe I usually have cranked on the bike for 2+ hours before runs- anyway slow is my first, middle and last names this month. Can't wait to taper and race in June!