A picture is worth a thousand words

So, here's two thousand words worth.

That's my left leg, see the break just above the ankle? It apparently broke sometime during mile 7 yesterday.

The doctors didn't believe it when they saw it. It seemed to be a simple sprain when I hobbled into the ER today. The nurse and the doc all thought, "eh, I'm sure it's a sprain. The fact that you could run on it is a good sign."

When the X-Rays came back there was a great deal of hubbub. Docs and nurses alike were chatting about "the guy who ran 10 miles on a broken leg". To be clear, it was really only about 3.5 miles. I'm pretty sure that twang of pain in mile 7 was the bone breaking.

Up next: 4-6 weeks of a cast.

Results

Officially 1:24:22
Average pace: 8:26

So, since the goal was under 1:30, but really I was gunning for 1:25...I am damn pleased with the outcome.

What about tc you say? She finished a good minute and a half better than her goal time. More importantly I think she had fun, which we all know is the true reward for running.

Has it been long enough?

So has it?

That's the question today, and I'm not just referring to the time that has elapsed since my last post.

Sunday, oh Sunday. Supposed to be holy day right? The I ask you if someone up there hates me? Seriously, six days before the 10 miler and I tweak my ankle. Why "tweak"? Well tweak sounds better than "sprain" to me, so that's what I'm using. Yeah, so it's mild and as of today it feels much better. The big question was "has it been long enough?" I hate resting, I feel all stiff the next day, feel like I didn't accomplish anything, but I do know it had to be done.

Since the tweaking incident I didn't run. Monday was rest anyway, so that was fine. Tuesday could have been hills or track work, it was actually more rest. Wednesday was supposed to be cross training, it ended up being......rest.

Thursday, well that's today and it's also the first trial run since the tweaking incident. It actually felt ok. I taped it like crazy, iced like I should have before and after, and the end result is an ankle that feels ok.

Friday will be more rest.
Saturday will be the test.
Sunday will be ???

So, look for news on Saturday. I'll post my finishing time, and you know I'll finish damn it!

Resting today

Following a great 10 miles yesterday I really should rest today.

The run yesterday was great, ran with tc and did a nice easy pace. Average pace was 9:44 for the 8 miles we ran together. I crammed in a couple of miles before I met up with tc, so I was able to turn it into my long run.

Strangely enough, my ass hurts. Specifically my left ass muscle hurts. Never happened before, and I suppose I should be grateful it isn't my shin. But man, this does make sitting a little less than enjoyable, so if I look like a crack addict for the next couple of days...constantly milling about, never sitting, always moving...it's really just because my ass hurts too much to sit down.

Up next: 6 miles.

Thursday and Friday

Thursday was an interesting run. It was crappy in Chicago that day, windy, rainy, cold...but that didn't stop me and tc from running. Did a very fun, wet, and interesting 3 miles. Then, we did what made more sense...got beer. Ahhh, there's nothing like a big draft after a run (even one as short as 3 miles).

Friday was less wet and enjoyable, if only for the fact that the 5 miles were done on a treadmill. Treadmills are evil, but necessary things. Figured I'd lift a bit too, hit 'em good, but let's face it, I have a runner's build so no matter the amount I lift...I'm not gonna be Hulk Hogan-esque.

Funny story...I'd say runners are known for being 3 things 1) dedicated to routine 2) obstinate in their training schedule and 3) being as prepared as possible. Taking all factors into account, I e-mailed the race directors seeking a course map for the upcoming 10 miler. The response included, among other nuggets, a warning that part of the course would take place on Lake Shore Drive and that I should not attempt to run that portion prior to race day! Now then, LSD is a traffic-heavy winding road that spans the eastern edge of Chicago. I am not sure just what kind of crazy they think I am, but suicidal is not part of the mix. What idiot would run on LSD? I have no idea, but I do know it would go waaaaay beyond dedicated, obstinate, and prepared.

Up next: going to run as much of the 10 miler course as possible.

Amen for Dixie Cups!

Ran just a bit too long yesterday: 11.7 miles not 11. Unsure why, but it felt good the entire time. This is a definite success. The pace was 8:43 on average, and the shins didn't hurt once. Went right home afterwards and iced them with the Dixie Cup method. Learned this neat trick from tc.

Fill dixie cups most of the way with water, freeze overnight, rip off the top half or so of the cup, invert, and ice those shins! Oohhhhhhhhh yeah, that's nice. Controlled icy goodness.

It's been a week

Yes it has, a week since I visited my physician. Since then I've not done any speedwork...no track days, no tempo runs, no hills. I did however have a lower leg X-Ray and nuclear bone scan. The results? As yet, unknown ("call back Monday").

I have however managed to maintain my training schedule, with the sole exception of Tuesday (the day of the bone scan). I should recap.

Monday -rested from my Sunday long run.
Tuesday - Bone scan and X-Ray. The bone scan was fascinating. They inject dye into your arm, and within minutes you can see specks of it circulating in your bloodstream; even way down in the lower legs. The scan and X-Ray took a total of 4 hours so it effectively killed my training for the day.
Wednesday - Cross trained. No impact, no danger.
Thursday - ran during lunch. Hit the track for 4 easy miles with tc. She was gonna tempo, but has been have hammie issues, so we took it easy.
Friday - 5 miles, again on the treadmill.
Today - 6 miles. Took to a local limestone path. Nice sunny day, think I got a tan. What I didn't get was leg pain, or at least mot much.

Up next: 11 miles.