Running and rest

I started a run streak because I was looking for something different to do while I was in between resting and getting ready for another training cycle towards a an aggressive 2011 race schedule. I was two weeks removed from a great 50k run in the middle of September (Youngstown 50k) and ran a leisurely 10k for fun two weeks after that run. I've been intrigued with the run streak idea for awhile, and so I did some reading.

After the 10k, I decided to start the streak. A few miles here, a few miles there, a mile there, and here, and the streak was rolling, and rolling strong. I felt obligated to run every day. I felt great that I could run everyday. BUT, lurking still was a sore toe from something on the trail from the 50k and some sore ankles. My ankles are quite flexible. While other people might stop running from twisting or turning their ankles, mine, well they seem to twist and turn and keep going. I believe most people who run ultra trail events are accustom to this and and you become immune to it over time.

However, my left ankle seems to have twisted a few extra times, and its been bugging me. I was hoping it would go away. I figured the running would help, since I'm able to run through some pain. So I continued to run, hoping that it would go away.

Ten days of running - yes, my left ankle still was hurting. Twenty days of running, yes, I was still running everyday, but yes, my ankle was still hurting. Thirty days of running, yes, ankle still hurting. Not a good sign for my ankle.

At this point, I was scraping by day by day, mile by mile, sometimes 3 miles, but no real great runs. Day 40 came...and no run...I just decided to rest because my body told me to rest.

I feel accomplished that I was able to run 39 days straight, but, I am not sure its all that good for you, even just a mile a day, being injured (or not) or having some discomfort like I was having. REST is important, and I believe the run streak taught me that lesson.

Since I stopped the run streak, I've only run one time and I plan to rest a little longer (until this weekend) and then I will most likely resume a schedule that includes 5 days of running and 2 days of cross training, with some rest days mixed in here and there.

Running in Annapolis, MD

A family trip brought me to Annapolis, Maryland. Through Twitter, I have started to form some acquaintances and friendships throughout the running community in the United States and beyond. There are runners of all talent levels on Twitter - from novices like myself, experienced runners, as well as elite runners and American record holders. Its an amazing bunch of people. I've also formed some additional friends through DailyMile, and often those who post on DailyMile, also post on Twitter. Thankfully, I have had the opportunity to meet some of these people in real life. And I had the great pleasure of meeting another - Ann.

Ann is a writer in Annapolis. Ann is also an athlete. From time to time we exchange conversation through Twitter and we also follow each others streams. I mentioned to Ann that I might be coming down to Annapolis for a family visit and it would be great to meet up for a run if at all possible. Turns out both of our schedules worked, and we were able to establish a time and a place to meet.

We decided to meet at the World War II Memorial over looking the United States Naval Academy. I took a picture when I arrived and it is a wonderful memorial. We headed out towards the park below the bridge to stop at the restrooms and to get some water and then headed over the bridge to the Academy.

There were plenty of runners already out, and before I met Ann, I ran into a guy visiting from Texas going for a run, training for a half marathon. While the temperatures were in the lower 50's, he was bundled up like it was the mid 20's. I guess when you live in Texas, the 50's are cold.

We proceeded over the bridge and then headed towards the entrance of the Academy. You must have a photo ID or you will not be allowed to enter. We showed our ID's and then proceeded to run.

What a nice run it is...plenty of nice views, interesting things to see - the sail boats the cadets train on, the place where some PT is done, and some of the practice fields and of course the water. I did not bring my camera on the run but the view of the water was endless and scenic and very relaxing.

We had a nice chat while running and Ann is a very good guide. Saw some things I wouldn't have noticed if I was just there by myself. Funny how quick an hour goes while running, but an hour later, we had run thoughout the Academy and then back over the bridge back towards the Memorial.

Thank you Ann and thank you Annapolis for a great run!

Yes, its time for STREAKING!

Well, no, I am not running naked...not yet as least. However, I decided today to start a "run streak." A run streak is defined by the United States Running Streak Association, Inc. :

run at least one continuous mile within each calendar day under one's own body power (without the utilization of any type of health or mechanical aid other than prosthetic devices).

Running under one's own body power can occur on either the roads, a track, over hill and dale, or on a treadmill. Running cannot occur through the use of canes, crutches or banisters, or reliance on pools or aquatic devices to create artificial buoyancy.

I guess every runner has reasons to start a streak. I have many reasons, and don't want to elaborate all of them in this post, but primarily the streak is that of wanting to do it...its not going to be my sole focus and its not something that is going to control me, but its something I'd like to give a try. Second, I believe it will give me some motivation in assisting me in logging runs, something I am not the best at, even though I have the equipment to record my runs. I also would like to employ more social networking and fully utilize dailymile, since dailymile is a great place where runners can share their stories, workouts, etc.

My run streak today is going to start with 3 easy miles, since I am officially going to recover from the 50k after a weeks rest, basking in PR glory (I still am), and, even though I ran a 10k yesterday. I guess you could say the streak started on 9-26-2010.

We're going streaking!

We're going streaking! sound bite  Will Ferrell sound bites