October 2012 Summary

Runs - 21
Workouts - 4
Injured - 0
Running Days - 21
Average Miles per Running Day - 8.2
Vertical Climbed - 14,000

The Bad -

Family Sickness:  Second time this year the family caught some type of cold/flu.  The little one was down for a few days.  The wife for about the same period.  I thought I avoided the nasty bug while experiencing a few days of fatigue.  A week later I was slapped silly!

Add up all the days I was wrecked by the bug and I lost a good 2 weeks of any type of productive training to start out the month. Only saving grace was I wasn't training for squat.

Shoulder:  Not sure what it is as I haven't gone to the docs yet, but my right shoulder is in some serious pain.  I thought I pulled a muscle while working in the backyard.  3 weeks later it hurts more.  Just hoping it's not a tear of something or a fracture of something else.

While it hasn't impacted my running one bit, my weight lifting has suffered.  Some workouts it's fine (biceps, triceps) but others are painful (chest, back).  Might be time to call the doc.

The Good -

Running:  While there wasn't much productive running to be had during the start of the month, I've ended the month with some positive momentum.    My body is feeling the best it's had in months.

A majority of my runs this month has been kept easy at a heart rate no higher then 140 (average wise).  Something that was tough to do early on but got easier and easier as time went on.  I'm sure part of this stemmed from the body recovering, but also from practicing the pace on a consistent basis.

A handful of runs were done a much higher tempo and heart rate.  One specifically stood out to me.  A 14.5 mile run with 1,000 feet of climbing to the office last Friday morning a day after lifting weights.  Started at 5am in the dark with temps around 25 degrees.  First few miles coming in at 8:00 min pace.  Hitting the 13.1 mile mark at roughly 1hr 35mins all while running what felt like a very sustainable pace.  Not sure what this type of run proves but it made me feel good about my current level of fitness.

Gym:  While regulated, my last 3 workouts were done within the past 10 days and highlighted were I'm weak and were I'm strong.  Really looking forward to getting my shoulder healed up so I can continue this push in the gym.

New Shoes:  I figured since I do most of my running on the road, I'd add another pair of road shoes to the mix.  A nice complement to my Kinvara 3's and Altra's.  And since I love trail shoes, I figure I'd add on another unnecessary pair to the already over stocked pile.

(How I usually find most of my shoes when I get home each day)

I have actually really enjoyed both shoes but can't imagine I'd ever race in the 1010's.  As for the Hagio's, I plan on running a shorter distance in them soon.

That's How I Roll:

(Game 1 of the World Series in the background.  Suck it Dodgers!)

Twice in Three Years:  World Champs!  A city I love.  A sport I love.  A team I've followed since I was 7.  Couldn't be more proud to be a San Francisco Giant fan right now.

So many great pics I could have posted.  But this one of Sergio Romo is awesome.  The shirt is priceless ( I need one by the way).  The Colorado connection - a year stint at Mesa State (Grand Junction) where he perfected his wicked slider.  Pretty sure Miguel Cabrera is still standing in the batters box with his bat on his shoulder. 

Looking Forward - 

With the body feeling the best it's had in months, I'm looking forward to pushing it a bit more and start some early preparing for the Red Hot Moab race next Feb.  I'll keep the long runs to nothing greater then 2-3 hours but I'll start adding in some type of speed work at least once a week.  

I've also pretty much put together my 2013 race schedule.  Need to confirm a date on one race but looking at races next year is getting me pretty pumped up.  Thankfully I still have plenty of cold and dark winter months to prevent me from doing to much to early.