Hoping for Fall redemption

New site…new blog. So here goes. Just to give a quick recap
and get anyone who doesn’t know me up to speed, I’m coming off of Boston, which
was my slowest marathon to date. Boston was preceded by my third knee surgery
last July, and a very tough fall and winter of training. I found out after
Boston that I had trained through the winter and ran the marathon with a stress
fracture to one of the metatarsals in my right foot, the leg with the bad knee.
I didn’t run for six weeks, but between P90x and the elliptical in my condo
gym, I managed to stay in good shape. Unfortunately, walking around in an immobilizing
boot for the stress fracture aggravated my knee. So that’s where I stand as of
today.


I’ve started to slowly ease my way back to running, having
done a couple of easy test runs this week and last. The foot is still a slight
bit tender, and I hope that it will tolerate even the slow build-up that I have
planned. The knee is still bothersome, but it seems to be handling the running
without issue.


As for the blog title, being an optimist, my hope is that
the foot and the knee will not hinder my training for much longer, and that I
can get back to serious training and target a fall marathon in which to
recapture the BQ and get back to Boston in 2013. As many of you know, I’m
incredibly injury prone, so while I’m optimistic, I’m also realistic. This just
means that I have no illusions of being able to train hard while remaining
totally injury free. It just never works that way for me. Assuming I can get
back to real training, I’ll continue to mix in the cross training. I’ve already
started swimming, and plan to start biking as well (yes, I am definitely
thinking about a triathlon at some point in the not too distant future).


So that’s it for now. I ran an easy and pain free 5 miles
yesterday morning and swam a bit last night. Today was P90x Core Synergistics.
If I get home from work early enough tonight, I’ll either run or swim again.


The new site is awesome. I have to say it’s a huge
improvement, and it provides new motivation. It’s also great to still be among
the same supportive community of friends that have helped to motivate me for
the past several years.

Seth, I always know I can find inspiration from V-Teamers (I-Teamers? -- sounds like the investigative team for one of the local news channels). You and others who sustain injuries and still come back training with a positive attitude are truly amazing. With that... I should go for a 5 mile run myself.

Someone is back in action! Very happy for you and can't wait to see you progress back into the machine you were and will be once again.

Call me old school, but I think I'll take Ella and Satchmo over LL Cool J.

Philly Half Marathon September 18?

Chris M wrote:Philly Half Marathon September 18?

I don't think I'll be in top shape by then Chris. If I do a HM this summer, it'll be one closer to home.
I'm looking at a mid/late Fall marathon, but even that's getting ahead of myself. I need to see how the leg holds up over the next couple of weeks. If all systems are go, than I'll commit to a race and start on a training schedule.

I'm glad that you are getting back at it Seth. I hope to see you again at Boston in the future.

Natalie Wolf wrote:Seth, I always know I can find inspiration from V-Teamers (I-Teamers? -- sounds like the investigative team for one of the local news channels).

That's what I thought too, Natalie.

Thanks Matt! I'm also hoping to see you again in Boston before too long.

P90x Core Synergistics this morning, and 4 easy miles after work tonight. The knee was bothering me during the day, but it was pretty good during and after the run. That seems to be the pattern. I guess that's better than the other way around.

Seth Seth what can I say to you other then that I'm glad you are getting healed and that you will be getting back to it! If there is anyone that can relate to what you are going through is me! After going through back to back SF in my feet, it sucks! But remember things happen and it is a part of training. Sure you will loose some running fitness but it will all comeback to you very quickly. Again I have been there and done it, actually going through a little getting back into running fitness myself again!

Anyway I know you will be back stronger then ever and you will get that BQ and yes we will both be back in Boston again next year. The only difference is next year you are going to tear that cross up buddy!

"Since it cost a lot to win
and even more to lose
You and me bound to spend some time
wondering what to choose

Goes to show you don't ever know
Watch each card you play
and play it slow
Wait until your deal come round
Don't you let that deal go down"

Seth, I love the title of your blog - you WILL have redemption in the fall! I know you've been through a lot with injuries, and it's frustrating...but you know what? You've managed to take a crap situation and turn it into a better one by finding things you could do while your body was/is healing. Maintaining fitness was/is key and you will see the benefits of doing that pay off once you really start ramping up training (which will be soon, by the way ) I am looking forward to watching your training progress!

I agree with you on these new forums...they are GREAT! I'm really excited about them and I see a long time of posting and fun to be had!

you are an animal Seth - I know you aren't interested in moral victories, but you ran a hell of a training cycle and race under the circumstances this spring. I'm not an expert, but I did stay at a Holiday Inn once and Randy Egge (where the heck is Randy anyway?) told me a couple of times that cycling would benefit running without the injuries... I can certainly say a hard bike ride doesn't leave me feeling nearly as beat up as a long run....

Redemtion shall be had....

Seth, here's to a blog title that doesn't involve the phrase "brokedown," right? Glad to see you're finally able to come back in earnest.

Pain-free miles. That's good! Keep it up! The Fall Redemption is YOURS!

Martin, Lisa, John, Mike, Kathy, thanks all!

Just short of six miles in the preserve on a beautiful summer like-morning as I continue the slow build up. Not consideration of pace, just easy miles. The knee definitely was achy, but seemed to loosen up as the run went on. The foot wasn't really an issue. Everything feels o.k. afterward as I ice it.
I can't figure out how to upload my splits and elevation to the post. I'll have to ask the administrator.

Jerry wrote:

I love that song!

Seth Harrison wrote:Martin, Lisa, John, Mike, Kathy, thanks all!

Just short of six miles in the preserve on a beautiful summer like-morning as I continue the slow build up. Not consideration of pace, just easy miles. The knee definitely was achy, but seemed to loosen up as the run went on. The foot wasn't really an issue. Everything feels o.k. afterward as I ice it.
I can't figure out how to upload my splits and elevation to the post. I'll have to ask the administrator.

Nice 6 miles at one of your favorite places to run on a nice summer morning you can't ask for anything better. Well you can but this is a great start to bigger and better things Seth. Right attitude about not worrying about pace and just get the miles in and rebuild that running fitness.

The important at this time is to take it slow and let your body get use to running again. The biggest mistake a lot of us make is letting our minds tell us "hey I'm a runner I'm in good shape run faster and longer." I have found that only works for about a few weeks and then wham back to either the original injury or something new pops up. Have to just give the body time to work right back into that old running routine. You will get there and it won't take as long as you think. Just continue to be smart about and don't forget ENJOY it!


As for uploading I haven't used the hosting a image thing yet but you could use imageshack to upload your stuff here.

I don't quite understand the stress fracture in your right foot though as I would think due to your knee issue, you were not able to run high mileage. I don't know. I have been having some foot problem and because of that, have been taking calcium, just in case.

Schuey wrote:

Seth Harrison wrote:Martin, Lisa, John, Mike, Kathy, thanks all!

Just
short of six miles in the preserve on a beautiful summer like-morning
as I continue the slow build up. Not consideration of pace, just easy
miles. The knee definitely was achy, but seemed to loosen up as the run
went on. The foot wasn't really an issue. Everything feels o.k.
afterward as I ice it.
I can't figure out how to upload my splits and elevation to the post. I'll have to ask the administrator.

Nice
6 miles at one of your favorite places to run on a nice summer morning
you can't ask for anything better. Well you can but this is a great
start to bigger and better things Seth. Right attitude about not
worrying about pace and just get the miles in and rebuild that running
fitness.

The important at this time is to take it slow and let
your body get use to running again. The biggest mistake a lot of us make
is letting our minds tell us "hey I'm a runner I'm in good shape run
faster and longer." I have found that only works for about a few weeks
and then wham back to either the original injury or something new pops
up. Have to just give the body time to work right back into that old
running routine. You will get there and it won't take as long as you
think. Just continue to be smart about and don't forget ENJOY it!

Sound advice as always Schuey. That's pretty much how I'm approaching
it. Kind of just back to basics with easy miles, and trying to have fun
while doing it. The hope is that the knee and foot will both respond
well to the slow,easy build up.


As for uploading I haven't used the hosting a image thing yet but you could use imageshack to upload your stuff here.

Jerry wrote:I don't quite understand the stress fracture in your right foot though as I would think due to your knee issue, you were not able to run high mileage. I don't know. I have been having some foot problem and because of that, have been taking calcium, just in case.

Jerry, the stress fracture came about after resuming training post-knee surgery and almost immediately starting Boston training. It was a classic case of too much too soon.

Like I said in your last blog Seth, I'll see you at Boston in 2013! No doubt in my mind you can overcome and adapt to get another BQ!

mul21 wrote:Like I said in your last blog Seth, I'll see you at Boston in 2013! No doubt in my mind you can overcome and adapt to get another BQ!

Thanks Jim!

I turned 50 today, so I had to get in a run in my new AG. I squeezed in an easy five miler after work. The knee/lower quad ached a bit as it had been, but like usual, it doesn't really bother me after the run. I'm icing now.

Among my birthday/father's day gifts:
From my wife: 6 guitar lessons for Father's Day (I've been wanting to restart learning the guitar for some time). For my birthday she got us tickets to see Alison Krauss and Union Station at the Beacon Theater in Manhattan in August.
From my two older daughters and their husbands: they added to my summer wardrobe with several pairs of shorts and shirts (they always get me great clothes).They also got me 4 session with a personal trainer. Now this one is interesting...between my running, P90x, etc. they know I'm in pretty good shape, but this is a trainer that my oldest daughter and her husband have worked with for some time, and they swear he's unbelievable. So while I'm a little apprehensive, I'll keep an open mind and see what how he can offer me workouts that will enhance my running as opposed to hindering it.
Finally, from my 16 year old daughter: a series of gift cards...$25 to Barnes & Noble/$15 ITunes card/$15 Starbucks card, all of which I'll put to great use.

Happy Fathers' Day and Happy Birthday Seth! My husband also has a Father's Day/Birthday (June 17th) and our son is June 18th, so he'll be the same. I love Alison Kraus. I've been singing a few of the songs from Raising Sand...

Anyway, I have no idea what Ella is doing in your blog, but here's my birthday gift to you:

And to you, sir....

Hi Seth, I have caught up a little on your most excellent adventure. Good to see you getting back at it. I'm certainly not one to try to convert people to triathlons. But, the mix of swimming, cycling and running seems to be really good for the body. One thing I've learned from biking is that after a good solid ride my legs feel good. I still love running of course and am happy when I do it. It's my first love.
Good luck with the come back.