Lance Armstrong Spoke to Me!

Well, it's week two of BFL, and week 3 of marathon training. So, after getting home from my painting class at midnight, I set my alarm for 7:30 a.m. and got up to do today's 3 mile run. I was a little worried, as the symptoms of my pinched nerve may have moved to the other cheek. I woke up this morning with the dull ache of a pinced sciatic nerve in my left glute.
Not to be deterred, I bounced out of bed, put on my shoes, and headed out the door. Then I had to come back in, because I had completely forgotten shorts and a shirt. It's a liberal city, but there are limits. I decided to go again to Kezar stadium for two reasons.

1) It's flat, and I'm still trying to gain some speed.
2) It's measured so I could check the calibration of my Nike+.

It was a great run. It's a beautiful day here. 76 degrees is the predicted high, and the sun is ashining! The track was beautiful, and not too crowded. The first mile went well, and before I knew it I was 1/2 way done. Then I noticed something! I was actually speeding up a little bit. According to my stopwatch I did the final mile in 10 minutes. Even Lance came on to tell me that I had run a new personal record for the mile!!!
I realized that this was a new personal record with the new chip, but considering my recent start from scratch I was totally psyched to hear him! My chip tells me my pace was 10:29! That's a 45 second improvement on my pace, since tuesday!!!!!!!
Now, an issue. The chip measured 3 miles at the same point the track measured almost 3.25 miles. I clearly need to calibrate the chip to get better accuracy. This improved accuracy would also improve my pace. According to my stopwatch my pace was just a hair over 10:00/mile. Woo Hoo!!!!
So, that's my excitement for the week. I need to stretch when I get home, because I'm still having those butt pains, but I've dealt with these for years. Especially when I was a bartender. I know how to get rid of them.

Stats:
Run: 3 miles
Pace: 10:00
Overall Impression: I'm the Man, Man! And Get the F*%$, Outta My Way!! (ITMM!AGTFOMW!)

Words to live by!!

As Ben Franklin said, "In WINE there is WISDOM, in BEER there is FREEDOM, in water there is bacteria."In a number of carefully controlled trials, scientists have demonstrated that if we drink 1 liter of watereach day, at the end of the year we would haveabsorbed more than 1 kilo of Escherichia coli, (E.coli) - bacteria found in feces.In other words, we are consuming 1 kilo of POOP.
However, we do NOT run that risk when drinking wine and beer (or tequila, rum, whiskey or other liquor)because alcohol has to go through a purification process of boiling, filtering and/or fermenting.
Remember:
Water = Poop

Wine = Health!

Therefore, it's better to drink wine and talk stupid,than to drink water and be full of crap.

There is no need to thank me for this valuableinformation; I'm doing it as a public service.

New Nike+ Chip

I've had to replace my old chip. I think it just decided to stop working because I shoved it in a drawer for 2 months. In fact, it probably still works, but my 2 hours of attempts to fix it, means a trip to the apple store, which I seem to be doing far too often anyway. Instead, I just bought a new one, and it is primed and ready to go for tomorrow!!!!!!

I'll be running 3 times this week, so look for my times and my distances right here. It presently has my last run as 7/3/07, because I didn't run with a chip for the last two weeks. I'll just hand those runs over to the gods, without recording them!

The 100 Mile Challenge

I've set up a Nike+ 100-mile challenge for the first to 100 miles. It's a motivator for those that are looking for the inspiration to get back on the road, and for those on the "Road to Houston."

If you would like to be added, I can do that!

A Weekly Update

Body: I'm doing great. Lost 5 pounds in the first week, and I can already see my waist getting slimmer. I'm still sore from that evil workout on Wednesday, but I'm getting better.

Running: I biked on Tuesday. With a dentist's appointment in Berkeley. I biked to the BART station, to the dentist, and to campus. A total of about 7 miles all told. So I didn't run. Thursday I ran the 3 miles previously mentioned. Yesterday, I decided I was still too sore and that another 3 miles would risk injury, so I took the day off.

Tomorrow is another day and weightlifting begins again in earnest. I'll be upping some running miles, and hoping that the lack of miles this week doesn't hurt me too much.

Thats all from my corner.

Body-Till-Death

I do believe after today's run that the program we are on should be renamed the Body-Till-Death, as it is more appropriate to it's clear goal of driving me to my deathbed as soon as possible. Steve and I have been on the Body-for-Life program for 4 days now. I've done all of the workouts and they are tough. Let me tell you. The upper body workout left my arms tired for the rest of the day. And the lower body workout yesterday? I'm sore, sore, sore. I'm talking yesterday was a marathon sore. In fact, the 3-mile run I went on this morning was the hardest run I've had since the last three miles of the San Francisco Marathon over a year ago. It was hell!
I knew it was going to be tough, so I went to Kezar stadium where I could measure the run precisely, and most importantly it's flat. Having a level playing field, I knew, was the only way I was going to make it through. And boy was I right. In a three mile run, the fastest, I repeat the FASTEST mile, was 11:30. That's pretty slow. And it just got worse. I was so sore, it was all I could do to just keep running. I was ready to quit at 6 laps, then Sybil, damn her! said I could do 2 miles. Then the bitch said that if I finished two miles I should at least do 2 more laps to make this run a little longer, which was the purpose of the run. Of course, at 2.5 miles I might as well finish. On the last lap, I chanted "Running Without my Body" and it worked. I finished the lap in a record 3:11. I felt great!!!!
Well, I felt great to have finished and to have pushed myself to do a run that I wouldn't normally have taken on. I am still sore, and will be sore even tomorrow.

The good news is that I'm feeling great. We are sticking very strictly to the diet and enjoying more energy already. You'll soon be be hearing more about how the weight is coming off and how the running is going, but for now, I'm thrilled.

Cheers,
Sixpack Chopra
Your Leader

P.S. Thanks Amy for the last comment. It was very encouraging to hear that your husband had been so successful.

12-Steps and my Body-For-Life

It's strange to say, but I/we are getting very excited for the beginning the Body-For-Life program. This is going to seem a little bit like a 12 step program, but I want you all to know about it, so that there is plenty of accountability. You know that part during AA where you have to apologize to all your friends, etc. Well, this is kind of like that.

I'm not exactly sure what I expect from the program, but here are my goals:
1) As of this writing I weight 200 lbs. (I just weighed myself) and have 22% bodyfat. Clearly, I would like that to be a little lower. I'm not wanting to look like Arnold, but would be happy to drop my bodyfat by about 10 points, and lower my weight to something under 190.
2) Feel better on a daily basis. Don't get me wrong, I don't feel bad most days, but there are some when I just feel sluggish and worn out. I don't think that will happen after a few weeks on the program.
3) Get stronger. I'm in the weightlifting class, and will incorporate BFL into that class.
4) Get ready for the marathon. I'm pretty sure the plan will accomodate my training, but I will be monitoring it closely as the miles are added on. I may need to up some calories later on, but I'll see how that goes.
5) Enjoy life!

As a further point, I'm giving you the opportunity to see my before pictures, before there is an after. it also fulfills my promise to submit speedo pictures, although at this point in the game they aren't great. If it weren't the most humiliating thing I think I've done, and therefore the most motivating, I wouldn't even be posting them here. But a promise is a promise. WARNING: If you have never seen a German in a Speedo, you might consider skipping the next section.



So there you have it. That is the body that I hope to get rid of over the next 12 weeks. I know I can count on your support, and my BFL updates will become part of my running posts for the next 12 weeks or more.

Now on to running:

I ran the full 6 miles my program calls for this week. I didn't run the two miles yesterday that I was supposed to, but I did put them on today, which was great. I had a nice run right here by the house. It's a little hilly for week one, but it was good. I'm feeling good, leg/back pain is not bad. Very minor, and I assume this will work itself out as I lose a little weight. We'll see.
Stats:

Distance: 4 miles

Time: 43:06

Average Mile: 10:45 / mile

Overall Impression: Hey, Who's That Riding On My Back? (HWTROMB?)

Quack Quack Quack

Well, after 6 weeks I finally went to see the PM&R doctor. I'll spare you the lecture he gave me about my IT Band, which took way too long, I knew was not the answer, and which he himself admitted was about 30% likely to have been the source of my problem.
The other 70% is what the PT told me months ago: I more than likely have a bulging disk in the L4, L5 area and that is putting pressure on the Sciatic nerve. Glad I waited 6 weeks for a Dr. to tell me that. He also said there is not much that can be done to treat it. Things like ice, pain killers, and accupuncture can help with the symptoms, but recovery has to happen on its own. So, I'm going to try accupuncture and see what that does. He gave me a referral. At the very least I would like to have some time without pain. Oh, and my favorite line: If you are still in pain in 6 weeks, come back to see me. Which means I'll be seen 6 weeks from then. Ugh. I hope this just works itself out on its own.
Running/training news. Many of you know that my partner Steve could use to lose a little weight. He's been telling me for five years that his diet will start next week. Well, next week is Monday. We've taken a look at the Body-for-Life program and it works for us [I'm too lazy to figure out the hyperlink right now, but check it out at www.bodyforlife.com]. It's a lot of exercise, which he and I both need, and the meals are doable. I'll be eating some crow as part of my Body-For-Life, as I have spent the past 3 years making fun of Rob and the fact that we all have our Body For Life, I mean isn't that the definition of Life? I'm even using Rob's extra copy of the book. I won't even get into the fact that Rob had two copies.
But, we need to do something pretty drastic, really strict, and with good guidelines so we can get Steve on track. The hardest thing is going to be scheduling meals around Steve's burger tasting, but I'll be working on that. I'm really looking forward to the program, especially the exercise. The major change I will be making is that instead of following his Cardio workout, I'll be training for the race. Otherwise, you'll be finding me lifting weights 3 days a week, and running 3 days a week. I'm psyched.
I haven't run yet today, but will be putting in two miles. I'm headed to the RSF after a few meetings. I'll update later this week with results.

I'm Back, Man!

It's the second week of weightlifting and now is the time to continue my progress from last week. I went online and ran some numbers for my training over the next 17 weeks or so, and got some good encouragement. I only have to run 6 miles in the first week of training. Not bad. I'm going to start slow, even though all I want to do is to be out there running, running, running. I think the hardest part will be keeping the distance down so that my knees can recover, but that is essential.
I did pretty well. I was psyched really. There were no moments of pain and never a moment when I thought I wouldn't be able to maintain the pace. It was awesome!!!! So, I have run 2 miles this week and couldn't be happier.
I wish I had a cute little story about the drama I encountered on my run, but there's no drama to be had when you are running on a treadmill at the RSF. None, zip, zilch, Nada!
Runs scheduled on Wednesday and Saturday of this week. My weight lifting class is Monday and Wednesday, so I may need to move runs to Tuesday and Thursday, but for now, I'm going to leave them on Monday and Wednesday.

Stats:

Distance: 2 miles
Time: 23:38
Pace: 11:49 / mile
Overall Impression: Oh How I Love That I Am Sweating Again! (OHILTIASA!)

Dr. PP's Failed Experiment

My recent theory that doctors don't need to run is, sadly, completely unfounded. I wanted to test the theory that my brains and new degree would keep me skinny and fit without having to hit the pavement. I was wrong. Just goes to show that a doctoral degree in the humanities does not equal common sense. Ha ha!

Sooo, having enjoyed the fruits of my labor - i.e., slacking off for the last month and a half as a way of celebrating my temporary liberation from the yoke of academia, it is time to get back to running. There is a marathon in my future...

I am starting back slow and trying to focus more on distance and less on pace. I'll keep you posted on how things are going. The temperatures have begun to drop (we are only in the low 90s now!) which means running should be significantly easier. We'll see.

Hey, Ginifer. Where the hell are you?

Wine Drinking Endeavors

Sixpack would like to apologize for not returning Forest's phone call, mainly because he was in Lake Tahoe drunk off his own ass, and in the process of losing tons of money at the blackjack table.

To answer your question:

Merlot - not a bad choice, but it would take a strong merlot to stand up fully to a S'more. That's a lot of sugar to be balanced out, but Merlot does goe very well with chocolate.

Zinfandel - Not the WHITE variety, would also go very well with a S'more. It's strong fruit flavors, high alcohol content and usually balanced tannins would make it a nice pairing with a S'more. It should go down like raspberries dipped in chocolate.

Champagne - the drier the better. S'mores would go well with a nice Brut champagne. try a nice Korbel Brut - usually between $10-15 a bottle. It's excellent for the price.

Now thirsty, and feeling quite chastised, I shall leave you now, with one of my favorite Drunk Runner's stories that Dr. PP reminded me of yesterday.

After a 12 mile run following the path of the Napa to Sonoma Half Marathon we, Dr. PP, Deetschei, two other runners and I, all went to Nicholson Ranch for a little wine tasting. We had a few samples, then all took a glass out onto the patio to enjoy a glass of wine while overlooking the Sonoma valley. It was incredible. Sitting with friends, having just finished a run and enjoying the beauty that is Northern California was all just too much. So, I jokingly asked, "Doesn't everyone live like this?"
And I have never lived it down. It's a wonderful life, and moments like that make me appreciate all of it. The running, the wine, the friends, all are elements in a complex puzzle that make for good living.

Wine?

This is strictly an alcohol question, I left Sixpack a message on it but no reply. He probably thought I was drunk. Wendy was wondering what kind of wine goes with Smore's, She was drinking a Merlot and thought it went pretty good together. She now has me drinking wine, but I'm still on white. I know this is sort of a redneck question, but we are what we are. I still like my beer but I'm branching out a little, please send me some good choices to try as well. I thank all my wine drinking Drunk runners in advance for the advice on my new drinking endeavor.

A Breakthrough!

I'm proud to announce that I ran One Mile today! Yes, one whole mile.

I've been struggling with back/leg pain since June, and unlike my brother, I have decided to wait until things feel good before I run. The leg pain, experienced mostly as a throbbing sensation in the right glut, or an occassional shooting pain in the knee/shin area of the right leg, has mostly subsided and I spend most of my day out of pain. However, it is still there. Despite the occasional pain, I decided to try a run today. I made the rule that if it hurt I would stop. Turning on the treadmill, I walked for a minute, then slowly increased my speed to a 9 minute mile, and ultimately an 8 minute mile. There were a few moments of leg pain, but if I clenched my abs it would immediately go away. Since it did go away, I decided it was ok. I finished the mile and was not in pain. This means a few things.
1) I might actually be able to start running again.
2) My body is slowly fixing itself
3) I need to do more ab work.

All very good things. I couldn't be happier to be back on the mill again. I'll take it very easy getting back into things here, as I'm still not completely in the clear. However, there's always a first step.

In other news, I've begun taking a weightlifting class and I'm really enjoying it. I've taken the class a few times before. Once in 1992, and once in 2005. So, it's been awhile since I've lifted regularly, and today's military press with 10 pound weights tells me that I have a lot of work to do. Holy Shit! Isn't picking up my laptop and the occasional 12 ounce curl enough to keep one in shape? But I'm now forced to do some cross-training. Something I've always been reluctant to do, as I'm very busy and I was already spending enough time with running, to make weightlifting out of the question.

Distance: 1 mile

Time: 10 minutes

Overall impression: Free at Last! Free at Last! Thank God Almighty, I'm Free at Last! (FAL! FAL! TGA, IFAL!)

Short on time

My computer took a crap last week after a big storm, great timing I started A&P this week which has a lot of info study guides and the like that require a computer to use. Oh well, I'm psyched about the class(I get to play with dead people), now I will be able to name all the parts of my body that ache as I train for Houston. So far so good I'm up to four miles and feel good. After two months off I started back real slow, but I have to say that was just the miles. Well times were slow in the beginning as well, but I have to give my self a pat on the back I think I can now run with the likes of my fellow drunk runners and not make them carry a cooler so the beer doesn't get warm. The young lady I have been running with is a big part of the boost in speed. Once I helped Wendy a little with her form and got her to start out slow and finish strong she was kicking my ass. This caused me to pick up my speed so her times weren't making mine look so bad. We both started back running about the same time but she snapped back a lot quicker than I did, but I've been told that it comes back easier for younger people. I still couldn't let her beat my times run after run, Who new I was so competitive, certainly not me. In the beginning I was running my usual 10:30 pace but the last five runs have all been under 9:00, with one 3 miler at 8:17 and Sundays 4 miler at 8:45. I skipped last nights work out to go out for dinner but will make it up tonight after class. Between the run and the weights and a beer to relax I should make it to bed by eleven or so. I'm not sure if I can qualify for Boston in Houston but I will in Madison for sure.

A.B.D. And all that Jazz!

Well, Y'all, it's true. I have passed the test. It was an ordeal of the highest order, and have giving myself a few days off to celebrate. Today: Coffee, Massage, Coffee, Manicure-Pedicure, Beer, Dinner, Beer. How's that for a day? I'm loving it!!!!!

On to running. My back is slowly promising to improve. I'm having less and less pain every day, which is encouraging. With the recent success, I'm ready to go out and see what's going to happen.
I've had Runners World design a program for me that basically starts back at square one. The first week is 3 2-mile runs. That should just about kill me, but I'll do them in the park or at the track so they aren't too bad.
Next, I've registered (in my A.B.D. status) for weight lifting at the gym. I'm looking forward to having the structure again. I took the class once before and then went right back to my old ways. The class, however, will coincide with the training for the marathon, keeping me in shape in the weeks leading up to the race, and hopefully helping me improve my times.

That's all I have for now. Just the eternal optimism that comes with having passed through such an ordeal as that f*&^%g exam, and the hope that a few days off will put me back in shape for the training that needs to be done in the next 16 weeks.

Peace.

Congratulations!

This is not real post, but I just wanted to let everyone know that sixpack took his qualifying exams yesterday, and by now should be sleeping soundly knowing he has entered the crazy Zwischenwelt that is life as an ABD (All But Dissertated).  For those of you lucky enough to not be anywhere near our "industry", just know that this is a very big step towards the PhD, and for that, the boy should be heartily congratulated.  From one Drunkrunner to another, I say congrats (and welcome to the club), Donno!

PS:  We have been frantically working/exchanging suggestions behind the scenes, and when not cramming, Sixpack somehow found time to stretch the banner.  Assuming that's the end of the birthday facelift, I would like to say I think our blog looks pretty damn good now.  Another congrats to the man!

On the HTML Ghost and the state of Non-Socialized Medicine

That was me. The changes to the layout? They were mine. I was getting frustrated with scrolling, while my monitor had a patch of green on either side of posts large enough to start a small ranch. Congrats on getting the feet to match up, although, I for one always thought you had done it on purpose. It was kind of artsy.
The new city sounds great. Here I provide a list of other potentially exciting aspects of running in England (based on my own experiences):

1. STINGING NETTLES. Nothing beats them, and it appears that one need only leave that well-manicured path of yours to find them. Seriously, they are the running gift that keeps on giving. For 12 hours, nows that's a lasting memory.

2. TRAFFIC CIRCLES. If you get bored of that path of yours just try tackling a traffic circle above ground. That'll get your heart rate going. Yes, you'll be taking your life into your own hands, but isn't that why they have Socialized medicine?

3. BUCKINGHAM PALACE. Not many folks can wave at the Queen everytime they go on a weekly long run. And dodging the tourists is good for balance training, abdominals, and screaming "Get the f*!& outta my way!" in as many languages as one can think of. My jealousy is building.

4. THE UNDERGROUND. With its thorough coverage of the city, you can just plug in that iPod and head out. No matter where you collapse you are bound to be near an underground station. And then it's just a matter of time until you find your way home. All the while enjoying a 40 you bought at the train station, and commiserating with the locals.

OK, enough about you. I'm still not running, although I ran across the street yesterday and it didn't hurt too bad. The symptoms have mostly subsided at this point. Just a constant pain in the ass, literally. My right glute is in constant pain, except when I take the little blue pills. The pink ones don't help much, but the blue are amazing.
I was referred to a specialist, and last week was given an appointment for the 13th of September. My plea of, "I've already been in pain for two months!" was met with a profound sense of apathetic empathy. Along the lines of, "I'm sorry, sir. I think?!? I mean they tell me to say I'm sorry, but really I'm just trying to get you off the phone so I can answer the next whiner on line 3." So, on September 13, I've got an appointment with a back specialist. I'll bring my duck call, since Forest thinks they are all quacks. If you hear something reminiscent of Norman Rockwell painting of a duck blind, you'll know I've disagreed with the quack and squawking bloody murder while dressed in a hospital gown.
I'll be taking a Phy. Ed. class at school this semester in an attempt to get something in shape. Not sure yet whether I want to do weightlifting or something cardio like swimming, but if I'm going to take one class I'm going to make it worth it. I register on Monday so I'll keep you posted.
In the meantime, I'm doing my best to show PP how we roll in the Bay Area. Dinner tonight at Suppenküche will celebrate her finishing her doctorate yesterday. Everyone offer her a huge congratulations for running that 6 year marathon without ever faltering, and while managing to keep the rum, tequila and bourbon industries in the black.

10 Things

I was thisclose to posting another blog about running in Cologne. It was going to be "Ten Things I'll Miss About Cologne", but quite frankly I'm tired of moaning about leaving. Instead of dwelling on the past, I've decided to look towards the future. So get ready for me to textually dry hump this brand new city:

5 Reasons I'm Excited About Running in London


5: The London Marathon
This is an obvious one, but I need to place it here anyway. It's one of the four newly designated "Major" Marathons and opportunities to run in it are pretty slim. The lottery system begins in August and closes in October. Lucky applicants are notified in December, but if you aren't picked then you can usually run through a charity. I believe I saw a "George Best Liver Cancer Fund" or something similar...that sounds pretty nice.

4: The East End Safari
Really, not enough can be said about running through the entire East End of London. I tried once. Tourists never come here, but Jarvis Cocker will sing songs about it...so you know there's a decent chance you'll get stabbed. Besides, as I said before, there are EEL AND PIE SHOPS. Eel and Pie. Why not?

3: Parks
I currently run through either Valentines Park or Wanstead Park, but pretty much everywhere you turn has a path leading to another path that invariably sometimes might lead to a park. I tell you, they're everywhere. Hyde Park? Done and Done. Regents Park? Around the corner! For a town called the Big Smoke, London has a surprising amount of green in it and if you look closely, you may even spot a tree without fifty seven shopping bags in the branches. If you're lucky.

2: NHS
Three cheers to Nationalized Health! Basically, if I fall over tomorrow on a run and pierce my spleen with my iPod, then I can go to the hospital and have them not only repair it, but re-ligament my knee and give me a double shot of espresso for a grand total of fifty cents. Or so I think. Regardless, it beats the hell out of running uninsured or dealing with the witch-doctor-remedies you find in Germany (You got a bulging disc? Try some Peat Moss!).

1: Running Groups
I'm joining a running group next week. I found one that's pretty central and that does weekend long runs, Wednesday night runs, and track work on Tuesdays. They may even have spaghetti parties and watch Dirty Dancing during sleepovers. I have no idea, but we can all hope. Mostly, the prospect of running with people again sounds fantastic right now. I need something tangible to motivate me, and this sounds just about ideal. Plus, I get a free sixty dollar shirt when I join...which is a bargain.


So there you have it. Five reasons I'm excited about running in London (It started as ten, but I ran out of ideas at seven).

On to other things. You may have noticed that the blog received a birthday makeover. I updated the template, worked on font size and spacing between the posts, and modernized a few things behind the scenes, so changes should be easier for us to make in the future. Of course, right after I made the initial (mostly color) switch, the entire format changed, which proves the theory that strange things happen when multiple people have admin capabilities ;). I think the new format looks pretty good , and I like that we have more space for the posts themselves. I'm mostly proud that after playing with the HTML tonight, the feet and ankles in our banner actually connect for the first time ever. Small victories.

Last week's alarmist post about running and the effects of steak tartare was apparently a false alarm. I was just sick, and it kept me off my feet until yesterday. Well, illness combined with the VERY MANY trips up and down six flights of stairs required to move our things into the cellar. Apparently, the hundreds of miles I've run this year have been nothing more than training for the chance to, um, move out of my apartment without having my calves rip off the back of my leg.

I went on two short runs today and yesterday, but they're not really bloggable, unless you want to hear how pleased I am that NPR programming has finally switched from Audible.com to regular iTunes podcasts, and I can now let the soothing banter of Fresh Air carry me as I sprint from eel shop to eel shop.

I didn't think so.

Nuerosurgeons are QUACKS!

Well atleast the one I had is. He informed me I have degenerative discs and Sixpack I hate to inform you but it's hereditary. Your Father, older sister and brother have the problem. Thats why Dad had the back surgery so young, I'm a candidate in the future, but for now the nuerosurgeon said quit running and that I was clear to go back to work. Well I went back to work and moped around at home about not being able to run. I drank a few beers and then a lot more, I tried to figure out how I could get rid of this desire to run. Would it be like when I quit smoking or when I stopped chewing, do they make a patch for that. the endorphin patch, I wonder if you used that while taking diet pills would you lose weight faster or would you just be hyper from the pills and feel really good about being fat because of the endorphin patch?
Excuse me while I ponder.
Well after two days of mass depression and wondering how I can stop running and what can I do to replace it. Well I did what I've done for over a year now when something is bothering....... that's right boys and girls, I laced up my brand new Glycerin's sitting in the closet waiting for me to run again and set out on a run to work through the problem. I've gotta say it always works for me. I come back with a new perspective every time. What I came back with after this run was the decision that if the Doc thought I was good enough to go back to my job ( but I am supposed to check back in in 6 months if the pain doesn't go away)then I'm damn well good enough to go back to running. I'm proud to say that since that day, which was 12 days ago I have ran 15 miles.(I just finished a three mile run) I'm going to make a slow come back, but the way I see it 15 down and a minimum of 485 to go before Houston. Sixpack go to a chiropractor get that nerve unpinched get a massage, work that lower back, hips and abs and find some flat ground to get you back up to pace ( I know the flat terrain is hard to find) I want you and PP to either beat me to the finish or we cross it together. I'm pumped and I want nothing more than to run a marathon with my bro and a fellow drunk runner running her first. I joined the ranks of the drunk runners around December and I could think of no better way to celebrate my first year than running a marathon with the people that helped me make my first one possible. Dee what's the possibilities of making it a foursome or 11 or 12. Hell I don't know who Amy is but lets tackle it together. Lets celebrate the birthday of the drunk runners by planning to all unite and run together. Until this happens I raise my glass of New glarus brew Stone Soup and say Happy Birthday drunk runners, Happy Birthday.

Miles: 15

Time: not sure I'll have to add it up.

Pace: around 10:18

Overall impression: I'm pumped to be back out running, I just got back from Madison where I was running with a young lady who wants to start running. Wish me luck! (IPTBBOR,IJGBFMWIWRWAYLWWTSR.WML!)

Sixpack's Birthday Blog Post

I don't keep very good records of my runs, so when called to do so, I was forced to go through last years posts to come up with totals for the past year of running. Here's what I have come up with:

Total Miles: 527.1

Total time: I don't exactly know, give me an average of 9:30/mile and you're pretty close.

Total cases of Poison Oak: 2
** I'm terribly allergic and was once diagnosed after having run in full running tights, a long sleeve shirt, and gloves. How it got on my thigh, I'll never know. There is the possibility that the nurse just diagnosed it wrong, but the first time, was clearly poison Oak.

Marathons Run: 2
San Francisco was 3 days before the founding of DrunkRunners, so I'm counting that one.

Total Months in Physical Therapy: 11
Since I finished San Francisco I managed to not be in Physical Therapy for one month, and I have to agree with Forest. I would rather be going to PT than to give up running. Of course, there is swimming, but I need to do more PT and get those abs in shape if I'm going to be posting pics of me in a Speedo. :-)

Number of times I wanted to give up: 1
Location: Carlsbad, CA, Mile 12
In beating down sun, after having started the race with a pace group, I was dehydrated and already feeling the extreme weakness. I was ready to throw in the towel when the infamous Lauren came by and gave me the psychological boost I needed.

OK, OK, no more totals. But my goals for the next 12 months are:
1) Fix this leg pain
2) Find a six-pack (of abs, preferably my own)
3) Run the Houston Marathon
4) Run the Bay to Breakers
5) Learn Chinese
** Random I know, but this is just as good a time as any to invite you all to Beijing, China. I will be working at the 2008 Olympics, and I a Psyched, Psyched, Psyched. I can't wait to play dodge the chinamen at the park while trying to complete a 20 mile run.

That's all from me for now. Y'all got my big introspective post last week.