The North Face Endurance Challenge is coming up this Sunday and I have only one goal in mind: redemption. I participated in the race last year and it did not go so well. I ran a poor, slow race. I am not sure if the reason was the high heat, mid-race bee sting, or my tumble down a creek gully. That is why I’ve been training and preparing for all conditions. I’ve run hill repeats in Hades-like heat thanks to the early of arrival of summer. I’ve been hitting the trails more frequently and I am coming prepared with bug spray. If these steps do not help me improve my time over last year then this was never meant to be my race… or races aren’t suppose to be run any later than April in the DC area. I will report back for my reading public Sunday night and until then, I have about eight episodes of Cheaters to watch.
I <3 Joey Greco.
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
Sunday, May 29, 2011
Boots
Boots is my new nickname...at least for the next couple of weeks.
I went to the doctor on Friday because I suspected a stress fracture in my left foot. I could barely walk on it, it had started to swell and I couldn't bend any of my toes which is pretty much how my foot felt the last time I had one. The nice doctor confirmed that I have a probable stress fracture. These don't even show up on x-rays until about 4 weeks into the injury and by that time you are mostly healed so she basically told me to skip it -- the treatment is the same either way. So...I'm in the dreaded walking boot for the next few weeks. Even small children are noticing my new ridiculous fashion accessory. Today a three year old in REI saw me gimping around and asked, "Mommy, why does that person have on two different shoes?"
I last had a stress fracture in 2006 that took almost six months to fully heal (and I still can't really bend the last two toes on my left foot as a result). Last time I'd go run thinking I was better only for my foot to be throbbing immediately after the run, I still drove my manual transmission car (with a left foot stress fracture pushing in the clutch -- a terrible idea) and I didn't ice as much as I should have. To speed up my recovery time, John has been kind enough to trade cars with me until I can drive mine, I am going to force myself to wear the boot all the time and I'm not going to run until I am fully healed. I caught this one much earlier than I did the last one so I'm hoping I am only out of commission for less than a month.
I think the fracture was caused by wearing my running shoes too long. My ankle and heels have been bothering me for a while and my friend tried to heal me a few weeks ago when we were in San Francisco.Just ignore the person dressed as an elf in the background...Bay to Breakers is a crazy race and we all wore silly costumes! Ultimately, the healing didn't work and I needed to try a different strategy so I went and bought new shoes. It is so easy to forget to buy new shoes -- particularly when I have a so many pairs of the same shoes (Brooks Adrenaline) in my collection.
Even though it is annoying to be in pain and wear this stupid boot, I'm trying to take it in stride (pun intended). Training for the Marine Corps Marathon doesn't start until the end of June so I should be healed in time to get the entire training cycle in. This weekend, my friend Jamie came up to from Atlanta to celebrate turning 30 with me and we had a great time eating our way through DC, Alexandria and Arlington (drinks at POV, dinner at Evening Star and crab cake benedict brunch at the Carlye). Next weekend I'm a volunteer pourer at a wine festival near home so at least I'm going to have a really good time during my newly found, extended rest time period. For the time being I guess this blog will be about the recovery of a stress fracture than any real training stories -- but getting injured is just part of the fun, right?
Weekly Mileage Summary:
Monday: 5.5
Tuesday - Thursday: 0
Friday: .25 miles, walked 2
Saturday - Sunday: 0
I went to the doctor on Friday because I suspected a stress fracture in my left foot. I could barely walk on it, it had started to swell and I couldn't bend any of my toes which is pretty much how my foot felt the last time I had one. The nice doctor confirmed that I have a probable stress fracture. These don't even show up on x-rays until about 4 weeks into the injury and by that time you are mostly healed so she basically told me to skip it -- the treatment is the same either way. So...I'm in the dreaded walking boot for the next few weeks. Even small children are noticing my new ridiculous fashion accessory. Today a three year old in REI saw me gimping around and asked, "Mommy, why does that person have on two different shoes?"
I last had a stress fracture in 2006 that took almost six months to fully heal (and I still can't really bend the last two toes on my left foot as a result). Last time I'd go run thinking I was better only for my foot to be throbbing immediately after the run, I still drove my manual transmission car (with a left foot stress fracture pushing in the clutch -- a terrible idea) and I didn't ice as much as I should have. To speed up my recovery time, John has been kind enough to trade cars with me until I can drive mine, I am going to force myself to wear the boot all the time and I'm not going to run until I am fully healed. I caught this one much earlier than I did the last one so I'm hoping I am only out of commission for less than a month.
I think the fracture was caused by wearing my running shoes too long. My ankle and heels have been bothering me for a while and my friend tried to heal me a few weeks ago when we were in San Francisco.Just ignore the person dressed as an elf in the background...Bay to Breakers is a crazy race and we all wore silly costumes! Ultimately, the healing didn't work and I needed to try a different strategy so I went and bought new shoes. It is so easy to forget to buy new shoes -- particularly when I have a so many pairs of the same shoes (Brooks Adrenaline) in my collection.
Even though it is annoying to be in pain and wear this stupid boot, I'm trying to take it in stride (pun intended). Training for the Marine Corps Marathon doesn't start until the end of June so I should be healed in time to get the entire training cycle in. This weekend, my friend Jamie came up to from Atlanta to celebrate turning 30 with me and we had a great time eating our way through DC, Alexandria and Arlington (drinks at POV, dinner at Evening Star and crab cake benedict brunch at the Carlye). Next weekend I'm a volunteer pourer at a wine festival near home so at least I'm going to have a really good time during my newly found, extended rest time period. For the time being I guess this blog will be about the recovery of a stress fracture than any real training stories -- but getting injured is just part of the fun, right?
Weekly Mileage Summary:
Monday: 5.5
Tuesday - Thursday: 0
Friday: .25 miles, walked 2
Saturday - Sunday: 0
Friday, May 27, 2011
Peoria
This week I was in Peoria, Illinois! Although Peoria is a bit less lively than places I normally go for work, one thing I really love about my job is the opportunity to see how communities across the country implement and innovate their public housing programs. Beautiful Peoria:
My running this week suffered in Peoria. Tuesday night it was pouring rain and Wednesday night had severe Thunderstorms. I generally refuse to do the treadmill, especially in hotels that have exercise rooms the size of my hotel room closet. And, Thursday I drove the three hours to Chicago from Peoria and caught the last flight home...missing another run. My running suffers greatly on the road but I try not to beat myself up about it? I've got to pay the bills and love my clients and the work...but often this results in being in a new town, and sometimes being in an isolated, unfamiliar hotel location -- if I feel uncomfortable I'd rather miss the run than risk something bad happening to me. This is going to be a tough job to have while training for an ultra (or even a marathon) but I think I can get the miles in.
That said, all of this travel sometimes makes me feel like a fat, slacker runner. As I wrote most of this entry I was on yet another flight home. Thankfully, last night the flight attendant gave me a free mini bottle of wine -- which sometimes they do when flights are delayed. Yesterday was a rough travel day -- three hour drive to O'Hare + delayed flight + severe weather. Wine helps. I like it when the flight attendants take pity on me. They can tell I am a weary road warrior, I think. Or a wine-o? Hopefully the former. I landed at 12:20 last night and got my bags around 12:45. Here's a picture to prove how late I was at DCA last night:
My running this week suffered in Peoria. Tuesday night it was pouring rain and Wednesday night had severe Thunderstorms. I generally refuse to do the treadmill, especially in hotels that have exercise rooms the size of my hotel room closet. And, Thursday I drove the three hours to Chicago from Peoria and caught the last flight home...missing another run. My running suffers greatly on the road but I try not to beat myself up about it? I've got to pay the bills and love my clients and the work...but often this results in being in a new town, and sometimes being in an isolated, unfamiliar hotel location -- if I feel uncomfortable I'd rather miss the run than risk something bad happening to me. This is going to be a tough job to have while training for an ultra (or even a marathon) but I think I can get the miles in.
I'm so happy John finally posted!! This is going to be a fun way to track our adventure and one more thing to think about on our long runs. I always appreciate hearing his insights on running...
This weekend is my last one in my twenties. I will update on how I spent it next week but it is sure to be a great time! My good friend Jamieq is coming to DC and we have lots of fun/relaxing adventures planned!
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
This is my first contribution to the blog and a thing that must be said is that I am actually writing a piece before the blog is even a week old. Based on this short turnaround, I can’t be called “tardy for the party” due to my tendency to procrastinate.
As the previous post mentions, we went eight miles last weekend on the Bull Run-Occoquan trail. The trail is very run-able despite its rolling hills, roots, rocks, and sharp turns. The amount of concentration and awareness that I felt was needed means that training for a 50-mile trail race is going to be much more involved than training for a road marathon. Yes, marathons are difficult and require focus and hard work. However, I believe the similarities end there. Running 50 miles on a trail is going to involve more than just adding extra miles each week. Typically I trained for marathons by simply hitting weekly mileage targets and nothing else. I think this race will call for a determined effort on ensuring I run the miles while also making certain I tackle varying trail types, test out different foods while running, and, most importantly, have fun since I do not want any reader to get the impression that I am all business.
Running is, first and foremost, fun. The race will be fun. Training will also be loads of fun because, unlike other races, I am actually training with a great friend. I think we will be to able motivate each other, as well as learn from our different strengths and weaknesses. For example, I will provide insight on sun blocks that best prevent tans… or tattoos from fading. Plus, I need somebody to verify to the world that I am actually doing this and it isn’t just a whim.
I think that is all until my next posting. Hopefully I will be able conjure up something to write before the race.
As the previous post mentions, we went eight miles last weekend on the Bull Run-Occoquan trail. The trail is very run-able despite its rolling hills, roots, rocks, and sharp turns. The amount of concentration and awareness that I felt was needed means that training for a 50-mile trail race is going to be much more involved than training for a road marathon. Yes, marathons are difficult and require focus and hard work. However, I believe the similarities end there. Running 50 miles on a trail is going to involve more than just adding extra miles each week. Typically I trained for marathons by simply hitting weekly mileage targets and nothing else. I think this race will call for a determined effort on ensuring I run the miles while also making certain I tackle varying trail types, test out different foods while running, and, most importantly, have fun since I do not want any reader to get the impression that I am all business.
Running is, first and foremost, fun. The race will be fun. Training will also be loads of fun because, unlike other races, I am actually training with a great friend. I think we will be to able motivate each other, as well as learn from our different strengths and weaknesses. For example, I will provide insight on sun blocks that best prevent tans… or tattoos from fading. Plus, I need somebody to verify to the world that I am actually doing this and it isn’t just a whim.
I think that is all until my next posting. Hopefully I will be able conjure up something to write before the race.
Sunday, May 22, 2011
Can I actually run 50 miles?
We went for an 8 mile trail run yesterday out at the Bull Run Run trail (I am not sure of its actual name). I'd run almost every day this week (I traveled cross-country on my rest day -- also exhausting) and was feeling pretty worn out. The first mile was really challenging, but by mile 4 I had settled into the run...eating some Gu then also helped energize me. Yesterday was gorgeous and I was really thankful to be outside enjoying the day rather than on my couch enjoying some Bravo.
John is a great trail running partner because he will run ahead but knows I am a little nervous being out there by myself and waits for me when I've been gone too long or there is a turn on the trail I might miss. I feel bad slowing him down and encourage him to keep a normal pace but really appreciate him looking out for me! I actually did get lost for about 10 minutes yesterday but heard John's voice in my head, "Does this look like the trail?" and turned around when the path started looking overgrown.
At moments during the run I asked myself if I could really run a 50 miler? Could I really do another 42 miles when I was this tired doing just 8? The answer is: I know I can do the distance, I'm a little uncertain about the trails. John mentioned some other 50 milers that aren't as trail heavy I'm going to look into.We might need to update our title up there in the masthead thing, but John and I still have a solid goal of completing a 50 miler. When that will be is another question I am going to be thinking over...
After our relaxing trail run, we went to Clare and Don's in Falls Church and ordered some junk food to reward ourselves. John and his wife Lucy took me here last year for my birthday and it is the perfect outdoor spot to hit up when you are sweaty, muddy and smelly. Here's a picture of John enjoying a beverage that tasted very similar to red G2.
A big thanks goes to my wonderful cousin Erica who spent her Friday night helping me make this blog look pretty. She's a computer genius who knew how to take this clunky format and make it perfect for me! I enjoyed spending time with her and getting to see her amazing web skills in action!
Weekly Mileage Summary:
Monday: SFO to PHL to DCA travel day
Tuesday: 4
Wednesday: 4.5
Thursday: 3
Friday: 3.5
Saturday: 8
Sunday: 2 + stretching and major couch time
PS: I have a feeling I will be posting about 5 times as much as John. Although I have a busy life, John's is even busier -- he has a young, adorable daughter, amazing wife who is a busy teacher, a demanding training schedule and an even more demanding job!
John is a great trail running partner because he will run ahead but knows I am a little nervous being out there by myself and waits for me when I've been gone too long or there is a turn on the trail I might miss. I feel bad slowing him down and encourage him to keep a normal pace but really appreciate him looking out for me! I actually did get lost for about 10 minutes yesterday but heard John's voice in my head, "Does this look like the trail?" and turned around when the path started looking overgrown.
At moments during the run I asked myself if I could really run a 50 miler? Could I really do another 42 miles when I was this tired doing just 8? The answer is: I know I can do the distance, I'm a little uncertain about the trails. John mentioned some other 50 milers that aren't as trail heavy I'm going to look into.We might need to update our title up there in the masthead thing, but John and I still have a solid goal of completing a 50 miler. When that will be is another question I am going to be thinking over...
After our relaxing trail run, we went to Clare and Don's in Falls Church and ordered some junk food to reward ourselves. John and his wife Lucy took me here last year for my birthday and it is the perfect outdoor spot to hit up when you are sweaty, muddy and smelly. Here's a picture of John enjoying a beverage that tasted very similar to red G2.
A big thanks goes to my wonderful cousin Erica who spent her Friday night helping me make this blog look pretty. She's a computer genius who knew how to take this clunky format and make it perfect for me! I enjoyed spending time with her and getting to see her amazing web skills in action!
Weekly Mileage Summary:
Monday: SFO to PHL to DCA travel day
Tuesday: 4
Wednesday: 4.5
Thursday: 3
Friday: 3.5
Saturday: 8
Sunday: 2 + stretching and major couch time
PS: I have a feeling I will be posting about 5 times as much as John. Although I have a busy life, John's is even busier -- he has a young, adorable daughter, amazing wife who is a busy teacher, a demanding training schedule and an even more demanding job!
Friday, May 20, 2011
A new goal
John and I met in graduate school in 2002. When we met John was just coming off of the "Summer of John" where he worked out every day for hours on end while laid off from some corrupt company (I forget which one). He had giant muscles and only 1 or 2 tattoos --how things change! He wasn't a long-time runner like me, but he was super into working out.
I had recently completed my first marathon, the Country Music Marathon, and had the running bug again. I had been on the cross-country, indoor and outdoor track teams in high school (although I quit my senior year to be editor of the newspaper) and took a little time off in college before getting back into running. I ran the New Jersey Marathon in 2003, hurt my hip and then was a half-lazy runner for a while. But, in graduate school John and I would go to the gym and bar together and he'd listen to me whine about economics and statistics and order me another mudslide to drown my sorrows. I moved to Atlanta after graduation for a few years but relocated to the DC area in 2008.
Since 2008 John and I have been running and racing together -- trying to keep each other motivated. We are very different types of runners. John has taken up Chi-running after he found the errors of his weight-lifting ways and monitors his nutrition, mileage, pace and times closely. He runs in the morning hours before I am even thinking about getting up. I am an ipod middle of the day/nighttime runner who for the past 7 years hasn't tracked distance or time during training (except to assume 10 minute miles X number of miles I am supposed to run). Although, I recently bought my first Garmin and am moving to the dark side of mileage/time tracking.
Last year we completed our first trail run -- a 25K in central Virginia where one really needed to be a mountain goat to actually run the entire thing. Since then, John has been hooked on trail running...me less so. I'm a little bit scared of being on the trails by myself. John completed his first ultra marathon a few months ago (a 50k) and has run quite a few marathons since our grad school days. We both are signed up to run the Marine Corps Marathon in October but are looking for a new challenge to see what our bodies can do. And, considering that Boston lowered their qualifying times to levels we may never be able to reach, we've tossed around the idea of running a "real" ultra of 50 miles on the trails. Seems like a good goal?
We are planning on tracking our training, races and whatever random garbage two old running buddies/policy analysts feel like talking about here.
I had recently completed my first marathon, the Country Music Marathon, and had the running bug again. I had been on the cross-country, indoor and outdoor track teams in high school (although I quit my senior year to be editor of the newspaper) and took a little time off in college before getting back into running. I ran the New Jersey Marathon in 2003, hurt my hip and then was a half-lazy runner for a while. But, in graduate school John and I would go to the gym and bar together and he'd listen to me whine about economics and statistics and order me another mudslide to drown my sorrows. I moved to Atlanta after graduation for a few years but relocated to the DC area in 2008.
Since 2008 John and I have been running and racing together -- trying to keep each other motivated. We are very different types of runners. John has taken up Chi-running after he found the errors of his weight-lifting ways and monitors his nutrition, mileage, pace and times closely. He runs in the morning hours before I am even thinking about getting up. I am an ipod middle of the day/nighttime runner who for the past 7 years hasn't tracked distance or time during training (except to assume 10 minute miles X number of miles I am supposed to run). Although, I recently bought my first Garmin and am moving to the dark side of mileage/time tracking.
Last year we completed our first trail run -- a 25K in central Virginia where one really needed to be a mountain goat to actually run the entire thing. Since then, John has been hooked on trail running...me less so. I'm a little bit scared of being on the trails by myself. John completed his first ultra marathon a few months ago (a 50k) and has run quite a few marathons since our grad school days. We both are signed up to run the Marine Corps Marathon in October but are looking for a new challenge to see what our bodies can do. And, considering that Boston lowered their qualifying times to levels we may never be able to reach, we've tossed around the idea of running a "real" ultra of 50 miles on the trails. Seems like a good goal?
We are planning on tracking our training, races and whatever random garbage two old running buddies/policy analysts feel like talking about here.
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