2016 Can't wait

Well, been debating whether to start a new blog site or just continue onwards with this site and came to the conclusion to just keep on with nyc as am getting too many different blog site addresses and is difficult to keep them all in context. Sort of how used to feel when watched Lost-after awhile have no idea what is going on!

Am looking forward to 2016!  Only took one week off after the 11/01/2015 NYC marathon and resumed regular training while on a visit to Thailand.

Now here it is almost new year's eve and still going strong. The hamstrings seemed to be healed and the extensor bump on the foot disappeared. Have resumed tempo, interval, and repetition work and feeling as strong as was a year ago.

So, plan is to go join a local running group on Tuesday afternoons and to aim to do a 5 K in the spring. For inspiration recently read Haruki Murakami's running memoir titled What I talk about when I talk about running. Awesome work. Have decided that Mr.Murakami and I have much in common. Such as the fact that we are the same age, and that both our brains for the most part don't think about a whole lot if anything at all while pounding the pavement. The rest going to mention are not so much similarities but rather observations:
Haruki at the time of completing said work 9 years ago had done 23 marathons 23 years in a row and I have done four for forty;
he never misses training due to injury and I have averaged at least 3 months each of the past 40 years out of training due to strains, pulls, and golden corral;
his work is read by millions; perhaps 10 people other than family have looked at my blogs;
he never walks in a race or practice, my headstone will say "Sir walks a lot."

 Anyway if you want to be motivated to go run pick up his book; I enjoyed it immensely and maybe you will too! www.harukimurakami.com

Happy Holidays and so long till the next post!

Spring/Summer 2016

Well rather than a new post just going to update this one. Am glad to report that finsished all four 6 week phases as outlined in Jack Daniels book The Running Formula on June 4. Did a combo 5k/half marathon schedule and due to circumstances have no immediate plans for any races. Time trials though have been really good.  Averaged at least two quality runs each week in addition to weekly easy and long runs. The first three phases finished by March 20, but then travel

and subsequent sinus infection resulted in maintenance running till could get back on track to do phase four starting April 24. This is one of the longest stretches have ever gone without getting waylaid by a month long injury of one sort or another. So gonna keep at it!

October 1, 2016 update. Did finish the fourth phase and now working with a coach. The streak of injury free running am glad to report has continued. December 11 am set to run the Honolulu Marathon as a guide for a blind runner. Can read about him and his effort at: www.thefriendsofhoopono.blogspot.com. We have been meeting weekly for several months in preparation for the race. Am also planning on running in the Phoenix marathon February 25, 2017. Have been doing interval, repetition, tempo, marathon and easy pace runs in the hopes to peak for the event. Running in so many ways provides for me the same satisfaction that receive when out in the wilderness. Plus no need to be away from home for days on end to get buzzed. Betty is happy about that!

Now Done

Well was not the prettiest and certainly not the fastest have run but the NYCM was most definitely one of the most awesome events have ever taken part in. One of the best days ever! Got to the finish line on 11/01/2015. Time was 6:22 which is 2 hours and 47 minutes off personal best. But, hey that time mise well been done by somebody else as it took place when Jimmy Carter was President!

To recap-after developing high hamstring tendinitis in late April received PT, Chiro, deep tissue massage, buku exercises. All of which helped and started training again in earnest in late July. Such went well up until October 14 when reyanked the right ham. Tried to run again gently on 10/17 only to strain it some more. The stab returned while foam rolling on the 20th and when exiting the car on the 21st. After the last instance happened figured the best thing to do was to just go and watch the race instead of participate. After arriving in New York on the 27th though the ham seemed better so did a practice run. It went okay and did another run a couple days later. That was fine as well. A bump on top the foot developed the next day however which made me limp. Got some k tape and wrapped it up and made the way to the start line at Staten Island. That journey via subway, ferry, and bus took 4 hours, and was totally exhausted before the gun even went off!

Felt better though once past the high point of the bridge and hearing the roar of the Brooklyn crowd got my feet moving. Had read that if you get involved with the crowd such will sap your energy but as was not sure how far would make it decided to enjoy the scene as much as possible. High fived/low fived, and bumped with at least 1000 spectators. Last time had smiled so much was when Betty said yes. 

About the 8 mile mark niece Katie ran alongside awhile which was a great pick-up. At around the 10 mile spot developed cramps. At first thought had strained the calf but then realized what was going on. From there on out to the finish they came back off and on. Had to walk qutie a bit the rest of the way. Am thinking from the split times probably walked 8 miles from mile 10 to the end. Main goal from that point onward was to get done before time to catch the flight home the next day. Would intersperse a few minute easy jogging with walking. In Manhattan determined to run as much as possible through the canyons and did get in 2.5 miles non stop. After that though was in some discomfort. Thankfully Katie and friends, brother, and sisters in law met a couple more times along the way which kept the motivation to get to the finish.

That and the fact that no way wanted to be one of the very few whom do not get to the end. So bottom line is am so glad that did get on that plane to go to NYC, Thanks to 25:40 for making participation possible and blessings to them as they continue their work in South Africa. Wore their hat which has a hand with the scripture verse 25:40 during the race and will keep on wearing it for hopefully many more years yet to come.

Here is a short video from around the 23 mile mark near he entrance to Central Park. That is Katie alongside. Kinda sums up six hour plus high that got from being a part of the NYCM!

P.S. Special thanks to Katie and husband Breen for putting up with me for 7 nights at their upper west side residence. And special also to brothers, friends, sisters that came to NYC and of course Betty and our three back home in the islands/northwest.

Not Done Yet

Got in four weeks after the last post on June 15 then yanked the hamstring again mowing the yard. Took off a few days and did a couple easy runs and a hike in Montana plus got some fungi in Washington.

 The day after hiking the right ham and okole hurt for hours. Could hardly walk so took two weeks off. On July 31 started up again gingerly on a volleyball court in Taipei. Ran every other day while overseas until return home on September 2. Dodged fallen trees and mopeds the day after Typhoon Soudelor hit Taipei.

.  Also ran in midday heat and late night humidity eventually building up to track, tempo,

and 110 minute long runs.

Once home got in three runs including a long one before traveling on 9/9 to Missouri for family reunions. The first couple days back in the coutnryside training took a backseat to homemade ice creame and pie sessions but got back on track with a 37 minute and a two hour run.

Home now till head out to NYC.

Seem to be back on schedule, and getting close fitness wise to where was in April.  Considering that had a few days could harldy move not long ago am very pleased to be able to run at all. Owe recovery to shortening the stride, picking up the cadence, and  getting deep tissue massages. Thanks massager!

This last picture is of Rocky Raccoon whom if had not have met on the AT last year would not be going to New York. He talked up the race so much just had to sign up! Thanks Rocky!

hope remains alive for - redemption

In 2014  I set out to backpack 1650 miles from Damascus, Tennessee to Mt.Katahdin the northern terminus of the Appalachian Trail in Maine. I got as far as New York, before returning home due to recurring bouts of poison ivy and homesickness. Went back up after a few weeks off but the itch came back so brother Paul sent me home for good. The story of that hike with plenty pictures can be found at www.windwarddave.blogspot.com

The quest to do the NYC marathon in 2015 is in its own way.my shot at setting out to do something and completing such. If can do so will make up for somewhat for not completing what set out to accomplish in 2014. Yes, it is true that the journey is to be savored, but it is also true that there is much satisfaction to be gained form obtaining the goal. As mentioned in previous posts, hiker Rocky Raccoon got me fired up to the do the NYC marathon over some suds at the Doyle in Ducannon, Pa. Started running regularly again in August, 2014 and was up to 30 miles a week including two hour outings plus couple days each week of uptempo and repetition work. In late April got sidelined with high hamstring tendinitis. For the first month post injury being able to get in enough injury free running necessary to do the race seemed remote. Kept active though with elliptical, walking, hiking, and traveling. Finally after almost two months am glad to report that can run again. Thanks to Chiropractic treatments from downtown Honolulu's The Zen Center,

and lots of home strengthening exercises, both Dr. Zen and sports med clinic MD have given  the green light. Am going slow and it will be at least a month and maybe more before think of doing any fast work but am so glad am back to it. The time was shooting for is out the window, and the goal now is to be able to run the marathon the whole way no matter how long it takes. Getting physical therapy also. As long as discomfort only remains in the rear am good to go.

What restored hope the most that could get back on track was a backpack trip did the week of June 7 in the summit area of Haleakala National Park. The outing took place in conjunction with the agency I worked at for several years, Ho`opono, Information about them and more pictures of the trek just completed can be found on their facebook page - Ho`opono Services for the Blind-HAWAII-GOV. Here are a few as well.

It is not a particularly hard backpack but it is at altitude and the miles covered though not great, when on considers how long we were on our feet to complete such, then to do the hike is a significant. The gang also spent a whole day clearing a field in the middle of the crater from an invasive weed. In addition we encountered several plants that do belong in the area such as the Haleakala Ahinahina (aka silversword).

The good news was that my hamstring did not hurt at all. Little sore in the okole for sure but no pain down the back leg.

While on the trail one day a conversation started up about suffering and it was mentioned that such does build character. Made me think of the children the organization am running for,Team 25:40 is helping. Those kids no doubt have gone through enough suffering to last several lifetimes. 2540 is working hard to ensure that whatever strength of character they have achieved will be able shine through as they grow into adulthood. Check out their website to read about the great work they do www.2540.org

Okay that is all for now and here is hoping next report indicates am approaching pre injury fitness level. aloha

Training roadblocked

For over a year had been pretty fortunate in as far as overuse injuries goes. Hiked several weeks on the Applachian in 2014 with no longterm foot, knee, back, calf, or hamstring problems as have had in the past. The knee did bother me a few days but that pain went away fairly quickly. The doc said you got bone spurs, get some grandbabies, take aleve twice a day. Upon return home started a regular running routine building up to 30 plus mile weeks and 2 hour runs. Had planned to do the Portland rock n roll half on May 17, but after completing week 11 of a 15 week customized legend Jack Daniels (the man not the booze),

schedule our travel plans changed which meant was in Asia during mid May. I figured though made sense to go ahead and complete the schedule prior to the travel, and in fact stepped up the tempo. repetition, and interval sessions. That turned out to be a dumb thing to do as in week 12 ended up with a high hamstring strain with resulting discomfort radiating from the okole down the back of the right thigh.

So have now been out of commission 5 weeks. Tried to run a bit here and there. Did 20 minutes in Shanghai, and some short bursts elsewhere but pain not yet gone. Been doing buku exercises to strengthen the ham.

Got a pressure point massage in Wuxi,  Hitting the elliptical regularly. While in China/Korea did lots of stair climbing.

. For good measure added some grunt work on Mt.Huangshan.

Since returning home getting Chiropractic adjustments, and hiking around the neighborhood.

Life is good but do figure that have to be running again by the end of June or will bag the M. At least this year anyway. Can roll over entry to 2016 if need be but with an airline ticket in hand already and free place to stay in Manhattan

this seems to be the year to get it done. Okay talk laters!

The Journey Continues

Aloha readers. Welcome to first post of new blog since wrapped up the Appalachian Trail experience a few months ago. As indicated in that final post future plans included running the NYC Marathon, Well am in thanks to 2540, an organization that assists orphans in rural South Africa. Check out this link to learn more about what they do. www.crowdrise.com/2540NYC2015. The short video on their website is pretty awesome but the picture attached of the guy in the green shirt; well not so sure about him. Do know though that any amount give goes to 25 40 and not yours truly. I tried to get in via the lottery and thought that would but did not win a ticket that way. Since then have found out that the odds to succeed via the lottery are around 12 to 1. So given that am post medicare age figured if ever going to do what many refer to as the holy shrine for runners-the New York City Marathon- that now is the time to do so.

I have been running more or less regularly since 1977 when did my first Honolulu Marathon. A tally of past logs indicates that have run at least 20000 miles since then and probably a good deal more. Hard to tell exactly as my handwriting is atrocious and has gotten worse with age. Am pretty confident though that have run at least 6 months every year since 77 with most of those years hovering around 9 to 11. Past race times are not great but not that bad either. 4 miles in sub 27 minutes, marathon 3:39 pre chip days and as it took at least 8 minutes to get to the start line like to think that actual time was close to 3:30. Sub 7 minute time test mile at age 61, and several other decent time tests at distances from 800 meters to 3 miles since hitting the 7th decade have been encouraging.

Honestly though had no desire to do another marathon until this past summer when met Rocky Raccoon. Marathons take a toll during preparation for and the actual event itself. Have done 3 and at least 3 others entered but did not line up due to injury, weak mind, or travel. That sensation that comes around the 20 mile mark of why in the world am doing this is not always pleasant. The last time did the race was hoping for a sub 3:30 but a bad cold hit a few days prior. Did the race anyway. Ended up walking on the approach to diamond head with a beer in hand courtesy of a friendly resident. Gulped it down before the final hill throwing the can away at triangle park. Finished that one in 4:08 but was hugely disappointed. You hurt during a marathon. You hurt after a marathon. At times you hurt training for a marathon. So why in the world bother?

That is a good question. I suppose the answer lies with why in the world do bother to run at all. Is it fun? Is it exhilarating? Does it provide purpose and meaning? The answer to those questions is yes, for me it does. Three years ago I kinda thought my running days may be done for good. Experienced some severe ITB pain while on a hike which no doubt kicked in due to running. Afterwards got some PT and with continued exercises the syndrome went away. Two years ago developed a really bad low back problem and had to lie down for about 2 weeks. Followed such up with more PT and Chiropractic. Got over that as well. Have had other problems over the years including both calves, hamstrings, and attitude. This week am battling high hamstring tendinitis. Doing strengthening exercises and going back to chiro soon. Have hopes to rebound.

Have got to rebound. Am signed on for the NYC marathon!  Rocky Raccoon whom met while hiking on the Appalachian Trail in Pennsylvania last summer talked so rapturously about his NY marathon experience that decided it was something just had to try to do. Rocky is a good guy; he wrote me after got done hiking that he was inspired that I was out there at 70 years of age. Well did not have the heart to tell him that am not that old, but no matters as look like 70 anyway.

There are 2 million people to cheer you on. When hit that hard to continue mile mark the noise is so deafening that instead of stopping the urge is to step it up. Well so Rocky said anyway. Sure hope he is right! Okay that is all for now will post more later on the workouts have been doing since finished hiking the AT last year to get to current fitness level. If you run you may find this stuff of some interest. If not well you still may but if you do not no problem- just stop reading! On the other hand will more than likely include information about other than running during the time frame leading up to November 1 that may be worth a glance!