Hot, Hot, Hot

Wow. It is a scorcher for a morning run.
Still, I feel great after 47 minutes and increased distance! For a couple of sets, I added a minute to make it a 2:3. Two minutes run, 3 walk. It definitely got me further today. I think I am close to 3.5 miles. Shins did awesome again. The shoes are key. I also have been stretching.

Last night, my daughter and I went to our close neighbors and delivered donation forms and my letter. Every day, I seem to enjoy this more and more. I might be adding another day of training if my coaches let me.

That's it until Thursday.

Thank you for your moral and financial support!

Total Training Weeks: 3 weeks, one day
Total Training Miles: 39

Thank you to our Veterans!

God Bless our Men and Women in uniform for the sacrifices they have made to ensure our freedom. My Grandfather and Hero, Mike Cohen is one of them. He and Grandma Lena have been married for 68 years!

My pace group went for 6 miles along the C&O canal today. The first 2 miles saw the reappearance of foot pain, but the last 4 miles were fine! Even after stretching and new shoes, I think they need to open up...BUT THEY ENDED UP DOING GREAT!!

The run was great today. We met at 8 am and hit the trail about 8.15. There were about 60 runners today due to the holiday, my group had 4. Jenelle, Jackie, Michelle and I hung tough and finished at the proper pace. It got hot really quickly.

Today was the day we were supposed to start eating after 45 minutes. I forgot to bring this stuff called "GOO." It's basically like cake frosting and comes in a lot of different flavors including chocolate, strawberry etc. It's meant to raise blood sugar levels. Additionally, we were told to make sure we hydrate, and that I did. After every mile I chugged down H2O. At mile 3.25, they refilled our water bottles.

Interesting wildlife along the canal today: Many Parent Geese and their Goslings,--we were hissed at several times, Mother Ducks and their ducklings, a couple of snapping turtles and a dead snake. The sun was bright and fierce.

So on to Tuesday and Thursday for 2 45 minutes of individual training and then 7 miles next week!

I have had an amazing donation week nearing $6,000 in total funds raised. I can' thank my supporters enough!

Total Training Weeks: 3
Total Training Miles: 36

Thank you for your moral and financial support!

10 degrees of Separation

I am sure all you experienced runners will agree: it actually makes a big difference. On Tuesday it was a brisk and beautiful 50 degrees. On this Thursday morning: about 60. I finished my same route 2 minutes slower. My feet once again were drastically better, but I was more winded on the transition from run to walk and my final time of 47 minutes showed it. I know, I know...it is only going to get hotter.

Starting next month, my weekend training group will start meeting at 7am in Georgetown rather than 8 am because of the Sun and the distance. We go for 6 miles this weekend, which I have not done in almost 12 years.

All in all, it was a solid session today, with my feet and shins doing miraculous better.

My donations spiked this week and I want to thank Liz, Wendy, Mike, Doris and Dennis for their wonderful support. I am humbled by their inspiration.

I am willing to take on even more humility by receiving a donation from you. Look to the upper right and you'll see a link to the Aids Marathon training site. Click on sponsor a runner, pick Washington DC and enter my last name. And, if you are uncomfortable doing this online, you can download a donation form, I will be glad to mail you one. The patients at the Whitman Walker Clinic, my shins and I thank you!

See you Sunday when I hope to report 6 miles!

Total Training Weeks: 2 weeks, 4 days
Total Training Miles: 30

It's the Shoes Stupid!

Yesterday, I was fitted for a new pair of shoes at a running store. The guy watched me run (not a pretty site) and said I needed much more support.
My New Balance shoes give me about half the support that I need he said,and he fitted me for a new pair of Brooks that he had to special order. The problem seems to be a very high arch. I think the problem is just big, ugly feet.

He also sold me some inserts that I used today. This was obviously the solution. Virtually pain-free today. I had stretched extensvily and used these inserts, and things I am sure will drastically improve when I get the new shoes Friday.

Big News! I have completed a marathon! Today marks 27 miles of training miles. That's more than a marathon already. Now,if Ican just do it all at one time....

Thanks for your moral and financial support!

Total Training Weeks: 2 weeks, 2 days
Total Training Miles: 27

High Five

Our team completed 5 miles today on a sparkling cloudless morning along the C&O Canal. Even after stretching extensively, my shins were in alot pain, until the last 1.5 miles, and then they eased up. Our pace group has 6 people in it today, and I am the only male. We do some talking, but most of all everyone encourages one another. 3 ladies have participated in a marathon already, while we other 3 neophytes are going at it for the first time. I will be icing extensively this week with continued daily stretching.

I will be going for two 45 minute training sessions before our next pace group session next week: 6 miles!

Thank you for your moral and Financial Support!

TOTAL TRAINING WEEKS: 2
TOTAL TRAINING MILES: 24

MUCH BETTER!

Another 45 minutes today, but this time, I stretched extensively beforehand. It does make a big difference. Still some discomfort in my shins, but hopefully that will dissapate.

My training program requires a walk/run combination, so whereby I would normally be doing 9-10 minute miles, they are around 13 minutes each. Eventually, they will call for more running and less walking, but for now, I am following instructions.

On Sunday we go for 5 miles!

I really appreciate your moral and financial support!

TOTAL TRAINING WEEKS: 1 week, 4 days
TOTAL TRAINING MILES: 19

Defining 45 minutes

shin splints also shin·splints shin splintss)pl.n. (used with a sing. or pl. verb)

Any of various painful conditions of the shins caused by inflammation of the surrounding muscles, frequently occurring among runners

I would not call me a runner. Today's 45 minutes was very challenging.

The top of my right foot is numb, and just coming back to life. Left foot is fine. My shins caused a great deal of pain the entire time. Obviously, I am not stretching enough, and the concrete is not helpfuleitherr. They say I should be running on grass, which I will. I might even go to the soft track at the high school.

I really appreciate your moral and financialsupportt

Total Training Time: 1 week 2 days
Total Training miles: 16

See you Thursday, when I take on another 45 minute session in the one and only Potomac Falls Virginia.

4 miles in tribute to Rachel and Elaine

HAPPY MOTHERS DAY RACHEL AND MOM!

Our second pace group run today was for 4 miles along the C&O canal. Our group was great, with great conversation. Lots of Mama and Papa Geese with their gosling cheering us on the whole way. The regimen was comfortable and enjoyable and my shins did great today. The coaches taught me some exercises as well. The weight is still an issue, but I plan to have a good week this week.

TOTAL TRAINING MILES: 13
TOTAL TRAINING WEEKS: 1

5:30 pm in San Diego

Another beautiful city and another individual training run completed. I started on San Diego's marina and passed by the USS Midway, a huge decommissioned Aircraft Carrier and continued to pass many interesting ships. Continued along the water and went all the way down to the airport which was great because I could see planes landing. My shins did better this time. I head home tomorrow morning and am looking forward to my next run with my pace group: 4 miles.

3 thoughts for today:

-Have to take this one day at a time
-Have to watch my nutritional intake
-Have to make sure I stretch (thanks for the advice Liz)

1 Most major thought: I miss Rachel and the kids, and I can't wait to see them tomorrow!

Thank you for your moral and financial support!

Dan

7 am in the Windy City

Chicago in the Springtime....45 minutes along Lake Michigan this morning. Beautiful Spring day, and about 65 degrees outside. This is the first official workout on my own after the first day of training this past Sunday. My shins were killing me the whole way which is a sure fire sign that the weight I've gained can take its toll. I ran without my iPod which was an an interesting experience, since I thought i could not go without it. It was a pleasant surprise.

I am supposed to rest tomorrow. I will be in California starting Wednesday a.m. Hopefully, I will be able to run from San Diego.

Thank you for your financial and moral support!

Dan