What a year it's been!
+5
Michele "1L" Keane
nkrichards
T Miller
mountandog
Dave P
9 posters
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What a year it's been!
Since I've been away for a while, I'll catch you all up...
A year ago, I had yet another tough Boston that ended up in the med tent with an I.V., but it was still a 3:21 course PR. After that, I was really excited about turning 50, & the new 5yr & 10yr age groups that come with that. I had a 19:02 5K last summer that not only was a 1st place age grp win, but 4th overall. That allowed me to attain a coveted front row under 30 card for the Manchester Road Race (MRR.) Then, I had a PR at the half distance at Hartford with a 1:28, which allowed me to get into NYC this yr with a qualifier. All was good,... a great year overall. Then,...
A herniated disk. The pain was in my rt lower back, rt hip, & going down my rt leg. I couldn't even show up at the starting line of the MRR. Pain pills, muscle relaxers, & steroid pills didn't help much, if at all. A chiropractor was of limited help. I had to participate in a 5K that I do every year the 1st weekend in December. I was walking & I was literally the last person at mile 1. I had a police car & a volunteer on a bicycle as an escort. My wife walked with me that 1st mile, but she turned off & headed to the finish line via a short-cut. There I was all alone at the tail end. I couldn't take it! I can't be dead last! I hobbled a slight jog on & off mixed with walking. It was very painful, but at least I passed a few people & wasn't the last one to cross the finish line. However, I was 63 out of 63 in my new age group.
Then I received two sets of cortisone shots in my back a week apart, also in December. That 1st set was pain, like I've never felt pain before. It was short-lived, but wow I don't want to ever feel that again in my life. I actually "felt" my entire nerve down my right leg as it "lit up" like a light bulb. The 2nd set wasn't nearly as painful, but I was literally shaking as I was anticipating it. After that 2nd set of shots, I improved greatly. I believe what also helped a lot was traction on a regular basis with the chiropractor. Slowly, I started to run (actually slow jog) & built my mileage back up. Getting my speed back has been harder than building the mileage, but 14 weeks after that slow & painful 5K in December, I won my age group at a hilly & windy 5K recently with a 20:55.
I think I'm ready for in the neighborhood of a 3:30 Boston, but I'm going to do my best to try to just enjoy it without thinking too much about my pace. Skipping a visit to the med tent this year will be another goal. After Boston recovery, I'll be working on speed as I try to get another under 30 for the MRR. Then, it will be the build up for the NYC Marathon. That will be my 1st NYC after I was in for 2012, but it was cancelled due to Storm Sandy.
Lastly, I'd like to praise God for healing me! I had many people tell me I would never run again after a herniated disk, let alone do marathons again. I love proving them all wrong!
A year ago, I had yet another tough Boston that ended up in the med tent with an I.V., but it was still a 3:21 course PR. After that, I was really excited about turning 50, & the new 5yr & 10yr age groups that come with that. I had a 19:02 5K last summer that not only was a 1st place age grp win, but 4th overall. That allowed me to attain a coveted front row under 30 card for the Manchester Road Race (MRR.) Then, I had a PR at the half distance at Hartford with a 1:28, which allowed me to get into NYC this yr with a qualifier. All was good,... a great year overall. Then,...
A herniated disk. The pain was in my rt lower back, rt hip, & going down my rt leg. I couldn't even show up at the starting line of the MRR. Pain pills, muscle relaxers, & steroid pills didn't help much, if at all. A chiropractor was of limited help. I had to participate in a 5K that I do every year the 1st weekend in December. I was walking & I was literally the last person at mile 1. I had a police car & a volunteer on a bicycle as an escort. My wife walked with me that 1st mile, but she turned off & headed to the finish line via a short-cut. There I was all alone at the tail end. I couldn't take it! I can't be dead last! I hobbled a slight jog on & off mixed with walking. It was very painful, but at least I passed a few people & wasn't the last one to cross the finish line. However, I was 63 out of 63 in my new age group.
Then I received two sets of cortisone shots in my back a week apart, also in December. That 1st set was pain, like I've never felt pain before. It was short-lived, but wow I don't want to ever feel that again in my life. I actually "felt" my entire nerve down my right leg as it "lit up" like a light bulb. The 2nd set wasn't nearly as painful, but I was literally shaking as I was anticipating it. After that 2nd set of shots, I improved greatly. I believe what also helped a lot was traction on a regular basis with the chiropractor. Slowly, I started to run (actually slow jog) & built my mileage back up. Getting my speed back has been harder than building the mileage, but 14 weeks after that slow & painful 5K in December, I won my age group at a hilly & windy 5K recently with a 20:55.
I think I'm ready for in the neighborhood of a 3:30 Boston, but I'm going to do my best to try to just enjoy it without thinking too much about my pace. Skipping a visit to the med tent this year will be another goal. After Boston recovery, I'll be working on speed as I try to get another under 30 for the MRR. Then, it will be the build up for the NYC Marathon. That will be my 1st NYC after I was in for 2012, but it was cancelled due to Storm Sandy.
Lastly, I'd like to praise God for healing me! I had many people tell me I would never run again after a herniated disk, let alone do marathons again. I love proving them all wrong!
Dave P- Poster
- Posts : 445
Points : 5475
Join date : 2011-06-16
Age : 59
Location : Connecticut
Re: What a year it's been!
welcome back Dave. It's been lonely on these boards recently. Here's to your recovery.
mountandog- Explaining To Spouse
- Posts : 1398
Points : 7876
Join date : 2011-07-14
Age : 67
Location : Michigan
Re: What a year it's been!
Welcome back Dave and I wish you well in your new age group.
T Miller- Regular
- Posts : 782
Points : 5825
Join date : 2011-06-15
Age : 59
Location : Bloomington
Re: What a year it's been!
Good to hear you are healthy for Boston. Looking forward to meeting you.
nkrichards- Explaining To Spouse
- Posts : 3774
Points : 13433
Join date : 2011-07-27
Age : 65
Location : Sunny Central Oregon
Re: What a year it's been!
I wish you the best at Boston! My two local running friends with extreme health crises this last Nov. (one had a severe heart attack and we thought he was going to die, had quintuple by pass surgery and is back to walking at least, and the other was hit by a car while running) are both walking and my friend who was hit by a car just got the OK to run again. Thank God and they're getting good PT!
Julie- Explaining To Spouse
- Posts : 2747
Points : 8913
Join date : 2011-06-17
Re: What a year it's been!
Good to see you're back in the hunt, Dave. Good luck in Boston!
Mark B- Needs A Life
- Posts : 8139
Points : 19816
Join date : 2011-06-15
Age : 60
Location : Vancouver, Wash.
Re: What a year it's been!
Praise Jesus! The great physician continues my significant recovery from my herniated disk. My running fitness is coming back by leaps & bounds. I ran nearly my best 16 mile training run ever today in 2:08:22 (8min/mi pace) over extreme hills on a very windy day. This was a HUGE confidence boost for Boston!
1st 12 miles ave 8:07/mi (143hr) mostly easy effort, but powered up the hills. The last 4 were mod-hard ave 7:44/mi (160hr-169max)
I think it's now reasonable to consider sub 3:30 for Patriot's Day.
1st 12 miles ave 8:07/mi (143hr) mostly easy effort, but powered up the hills. The last 4 were mod-hard ave 7:44/mi (160hr-169max)
I think it's now reasonable to consider sub 3:30 for Patriot's Day.
Dave P- Poster
- Posts : 445
Points : 5475
Join date : 2011-06-16
Age : 59
Location : Connecticut
Re: What a year it's been!
Last "long" run before Boston: 13.11 miles over steep hills in 1:41:38 (7:45 ave pace.) Picked up the effort for the last 4 miles (12th mile in 6:58.) Another HUGE confidence boost as I continue to gain fitness & speed as I taper. God is great!
First 9 miles high-end of easy/ low end of moderate: ave 7:51 (149hr)
Last 4 miles mod-hard: ave 7:30 (169hr)
First 9 miles high-end of easy/ low end of moderate: ave 7:51 (149hr)
Last 4 miles mod-hard: ave 7:30 (169hr)
Distance | Elevation Gain | Elevation Loss |
1 | -- | 32 |
1 | 81 | 9 |
1 | 34 | 101 |
1 | -- | 129 |
1 | 48 | -- |
1 | 162 | -- |
1 | 8 | 76 |
1 | 82 | 153 |
1 | -- | 75 |
1 | 116 | -- |
1 | 119 | 38 |
1 | -- | 66 |
1 | 56 | 50 |
0.11 | 43 | -- |
Dave P- Poster
- Posts : 445
Points : 5475
Join date : 2011-06-16
Age : 59
Location : Connecticut
Re: What a year it's been!
Yeah, Dave! I ran a very similar terrain 10 miler and felt good too. We are ready.
Re: What a year it's been!
Nice going! Pray for making it in a good time.
ounce- Needs A Life
- Posts : 6750
Points : 19653
Join date : 2011-06-26
Age : 66
Location : houston
Re: What a year it's been!
Wishing you a strong Boston this year, enjoy it and glorify Him through it.
fostever- Explaining To Spouse
- Posts : 1572
Points : 8773
Join date : 2011-06-16
Age : 65
Location : Chicago
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