25:1 (x2)

Physio appointment at 4:50 PM. Left work at 4:10 PM and had to get to the appointment as quickly as possible. Got to the appointment at 4:52 PM so on time :-) PT recommended seeing him once a week, which is good considering slightly over 1/2 the coverage for the year has been used up. The "tenderness" seems to have gone down. Made the next appointment for Monday next week.

Afterwards, all set to do my run but forgot to bring along my running shoes. Aargh! Opted to take the dog on a slow run -- he enjoyed it but did not appreciate being "pulled" when he wanted to pee (i.e, share his scent with the community dogs). There's a $4.99 Mama's Pizza Special today so after I took the dog back home, continued my run. Bought 2 pizzas and then back home. Today = 6.44 K.

3 Weeks til Mississauga!

ONLY 3 weeks until the Mississauga Marathon. Glad, relieved, thrilled the running is back on track. Slept well last night knowing that the 20.5 K LSD yesterday morning went well. Now pondering how to do my long run with the Sporting Life 10 K next Sunday; thinking of running to the starting line, doing the race, and then running some more -- only issue is the post food. Want to get in 25 to 28 K next weekend.

Physiotherapist (PT) said I could see him 2X next week which will speed up the recovery of the calf strain. I have $750 to spend on physio in the year and have spent almost 1/2 the money so far. I might cancel the Thursday appointment as I could see him 2X closer to the marathon or immediately afterwards.

Saw an article in yesterday's Saturday Star that Mississauga Mayor Hazel McCallion has formally complained to Toronto Mayor David Miller that the Mississauga marathon conflicts with the Toronto Marathon. This is indeed a problem as I am sure the Toronto Marathon will take away runners from the Mississauga race; I for one will run Toronto Marathon next spring (and not the Mississauga Marathon) since it is close to home. Not fair to Mississauga since it's such a well-organized race that has grown to be the 3rd largest race in Canada.

Looking forward to earning the finisher's medal in the Mississauga Marathon -- my doggie, Bud, will enjoy having his photo taken with it.

25:1 (x5)

First LSD since the calf strain injury. After walking the dog, planned on 25:1 (x4) [but did 5 reps since felt good] on the Martin Goodman Trail. Lots of runners and walkers. Started off slowly and gradually ran a bit faster. No issues, thank goodness. Today = 20.62 K [didn't listen to the physiotherapist who said to run no more than 15 K]. Am continuing to stretch throughout the day to strengthen the calf so it's not so "tight". Great to be back. The full marathon is in sight as it's 3 weeks away tomorrow. Next Sunday is the Sporting Life 10 K and I'm thinking of getting in 25 K [will run the Sporting Life race as an LSD so will aim for a time of an hour -- not looking for PB as my immediciacy is to work up to 32 K the week before the marathon. No tamper...no speed either...

Thursday's 25:1 (x2)

After seeing the physiotherapist, got in 25:1 (x2) at the Mount Pleasant Cermetery -- very pleasant! Nice weather and no issues with the calf. Continue to stretch after the run. Physio said calf still "tight" but healing since the run on Tuesday went well. Run = 7.27 K. YTD = 537.92 K.

25:1 (x2) -- 2nd run in 11 days

Went to the physiotherapist after work (another appointment on Thursday). The left calf got a bit stiff after the run on Saturday. Was reminded of the importance of stretching after the run. Today, I ran 25:1 (x2) and could "feel" the calf but no pain, fortunately. Physiotherapist said running the Mississauga Marathon will depend on my current runs. So far, so good. Had 11 days of rest. YTD = 530.65 K

update + 25:1 (x2)

Have taken 1.5 weeks off from running to let the Calf Strain injury heal. Have seen the physiotherapist 3 times, with 2 more scheduled next week Tuesday and Thursday. Getting a little worried since I've already used $220 and at the end of next week, will be up to $350 (close to half the amount my work insurance pays for). Here's a photo I got from http://www.sportsinjuryclinic.net/cybertherapist/back/backlowerleg/calfstrain.htm which shows the "trigger point" of the pain:

The physiotherapist does a sports message at the "trigger point", then ultrasound for 5 minutes, and finally applies a heat pack. He's also given me exercises to strengthen the stiffness:


Also, I am to stand upright and then use the big toe to help "push up" myself (both legs and then left leg). Does this make sense?

Got in my first run this morning and kept looking at my Garmin. Totally surprised that the run was painless :-) The physiotherapist said the left leg would be stiff at the beginning and to listen to my body -- the stiffness should loosen within 10 to 15 minutes; else, stop running. Right from the start, it felt great. I did run slowly and carefully for 25:1 (x2) -- 6.33 K. I'm thrilled!! But looking at the calendar, the full marathon is 28 days away...

Hope to have another run on Tuesday and Thursday next week after seeing the physio.

YTD = 524.1 K

Calf Strain Injury

Saw the Phyiotherapist after work and he diagnosed me with Calf Strain -- from the 30 K ATB run. He stretched it and gave me 2 exercises to do twice a day. I have appointments next week Tuesday and Thursday for more stretching. He told me to take the weekend off and then run next week after I see him. Mississauga Marathon is still in order -- just I wonder if the 4:00 mark will be feasible :-| At least it's not a stress fracture.

Tuesday's Run

6.45 K slowly after work. Pain remained in the left foot and didn't get better. Made an appointment with physiotherapist Thursday. Next posting will describe it.

YTD = 517.77 K

Boston "Joke"; New York City Marathon Start-Line

Been reading the posts on www.runningmania.com and came up with some good stuff:

http://mybaa.org/BostonMarathon/2011.html
April Fool's Day joke about Boston qualifying times going down; not funny as the race's lawyer wrote to them.

Wow! Start at the New York City Marathon:

30K LSD

Opted for rest days Thursday to Saturday this week as the left leg has been extremely "stiff" -- not sure if it's shin splints but that's supposed to hurt. Went on my LSD this morning and fortunately nothing serious (relief). Really have no idea what it's been as I've gotten in my 30 K and afterwards walked the dog. Beautiful weather -- sunny and cool. Ran on the Martin Goodman Trail south on Cherry Street then continued east into Ash Bridges Bay (i.e., the Midsummer Night's 30 K route) -- very nice scenery! Lots of runners and dogs out there! Tempted to wear my new running shorts but didn't since it was a bit cool. YTD = 511.32 K (yeah -- reached the 500 K mark!!).

Just placed an order for an 8x10 photo taken at ATB 30K:

1st run since ATB; 8000 Hits; Mississauga Medals Revealed

Yesterday after work, chose to have my first run since ATB 30 K. The left leg was stiff and sore from battling 30 K on Sunday :-| I SLOWLY ran 6.34 K using 25:1 (x2). The weather was great as I wore a tech shirt and no jacket. Today's weather is supposed to get up to 21C and Good Friday 25C with 30C (after humidity). Summer is definitely around the corner!!

I noticed that my blog has reached 8000 hits :-)

The Mississauga Marathon finisher's medal has been revealed. Last year's was plain but I treasure it since it's my first marathon as a runner. Always will be special. Unfortunately, I cannot save the photo of the medal, but here's the link http://www.mississaugamarathon.com/default.shtml

Plan is to run on Saturaday (beautiful day of 25C and with humidity 30C, like Good Friday). YTD = 481.32 K