Comments for ultrarunning316's AchillesBlog http://AchillesBlog.com/ultrarunning316 Just another AchillesBlog.com weblog Tue, 18 Jun 2013 23:11:09 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.7 hourly 1 Comment on Running - just about up to full strength by Ultrarunning316 http://AchillesBlog.com/ultrarunning316/2012/08/26/running-just-about-up-to-full-strength/comment-page-1/#comment-83 Ultrarunning316 Tue, 16 Oct 2012 04:21:40 +0000 http://AchillesBlog.com/ultrarunning316/?p=102#comment-83 Quick update, first let me say I hope everyone’s recovery is going well…Now real quick cause I’ve been crazy busy and am in need of some foam rolling then sleep :) Steven’s Creek 50k went great for the first 12-13 miles which isn’t surprising as my training to that point wasn’t as extensive as I would of liked leading up to a race as tough as this one is…I held 4th place until Saratoga Gap and was 15 mins behind the leader/defending champ/and eventual winner Jean Pommier. After a ridiculously long climb which I felt just fine on I realized my legs were gassed and I slowly started to fade on the next few climbs. Again not a surprise as I had been training on moderate climbs but not anything with really steep and prolonged grades. So at mile 20 with many more steep hills left to conquer I decided to call it a day with no regrets. No injury resulted and the race gave me a great bit of information as to what I needed to shift my focus towards, bigger climbs. So fast forward a week later I returned to the place I was initially injured, Black Mountain Trail in Toro Park, just minutes from Monterey, plenty of long steep climbs there. I’ve been running there 3-4xs per week averaging @ 4,500 ft of gain per run at about 15 miles per run. It’s been the next step in my training and my tendon although a little sore after has felt strong, which is great especially since this has been a banner year Caddying at Pebble Beach and her sister GCs about 5-6 days a week, so lots of time on feet to say the least…The most important thing has been trying to focus on recovery, ultrasound, foam roller, massage. Just ran a trail half-marathon at Toro Park put on by a great company, Inside Trail Runs, had pretty good results with the stepped up training coming in 4th OA and 2nd in my age group(AG), so feeling pretty good about my progress…Next adventure is the Lithia Loop Trail Marathon in Ashland, Or. Nov. 3rd! P.S. my daughter has been named captain of her XC team for Marina High School as a freshman and is doing well making her Daddy PROUD! :) God is good and right now life is pretty sweet. I have tried to have a positive outlook, just knowing God and what he’s done with my life, which wasn’t always the easiest of lives particularly growing up, but if you caught me at a down moment in one of the darker moments for me during this injury and subsequent recovery, of which there were a few, I never would of thought in those times that things would progress as they have. I have a lot to be thankful for and am appreciating the blessing, life isn’t perfect but I choose to believe with Jesus the best is yet to come! God bless you all and just look at someone like me who’s gone through what you’re going through and didn’t know what to expect (though I chose to have faith and hoped against hope, some people told me I’d never run again, have hope in the face of those type of doubts). Well things are well with me and I’m hear to let any of you know that need to hear this, things will be well for you as well. It’s just a matter of faith and time. Did I say this was going to be a quick little update? Well I tried :) Be well friends. Quick update, first let me say I hope everyone’s recovery is going well…Now real quick cause I’ve been crazy busy and am in need of some foam rolling then sleep :) Steven’s Creek 50k went great for the first 12-13 miles which isn’t surprising as my training to that point wasn’t as extensive as I would of liked leading up to a race as tough as this one is…I held 4th place until Saratoga Gap and was 15 mins behind the leader/defending champ/and eventual winner Jean Pommier. After a ridiculously long climb which I felt just fine on I realized my legs were gassed and I slowly started to fade on the next few climbs. Again not a surprise as I had been training on moderate climbs but not anything with really steep and prolonged grades. So at mile 20 with many more steep hills left to conquer I decided to call it a day with no regrets. No injury resulted and the race gave me a great bit of information as to what I needed to shift my focus towards, bigger climbs.
So fast forward a week later I returned to the place I was initially injured, Black Mountain Trail in Toro Park, just minutes from Monterey, plenty of long steep climbs there. I’ve been running there 3-4xs per week averaging @ 4,500 ft of gain per run at about 15 miles per run. It’s been the next step in my training and my tendon although a little sore after has felt strong, which is great especially since this has been a banner year Caddying at Pebble Beach and her sister GCs about 5-6 days a week, so lots of time on feet to say the least…The most important thing has been trying to focus on recovery, ultrasound, foam roller, massage. Just ran a trail half-marathon at Toro Park put on by a great company, Inside Trail Runs, had pretty good results with the stepped up training coming in 4th OA and 2nd in my age group(AG), so feeling pretty good about my progress…Next adventure is the Lithia Loop Trail Marathon in Ashland, Or. Nov. 3rd!
P.S. my daughter has been named captain of her XC team for Marina High School as a freshman and is doing well making her Daddy PROUD! :) God is good and right now life is pretty sweet. I have tried to have a positive outlook, just knowing God and what he’s done with my life, which wasn’t always the easiest of lives particularly growing up, but if you caught me at a down moment in one of the darker moments for me during this injury and subsequent recovery, of which there were a few, I never would of thought in those times that things would progress as they have. I have a lot to be thankful for and am appreciating the blessing, life isn’t perfect but I choose to believe with Jesus the best is yet to come!
God bless you all and just look at someone like me who’s gone through what you’re going through and didn’t know what to expect (though I chose to have faith and hoped against hope, some people told me I’d never run again, have hope in the face of those type of doubts). Well things are well with me and I’m hear to let any of you know that need to hear this, things will be well for you as well. It’s just a matter of faith and time. Did I say this was going to be a quick little update? Well I tried :) Be well friends.

]]> Comment on Running - just about up to full strength by Ultrarunning316 http://AchillesBlog.com/ultrarunning316/2012/08/26/running-just-about-up-to-full-strength/comment-page-1/#comment-80 Ultrarunning316 Sun, 07 Oct 2012 07:33:47 +0000 http://AchillesBlog.com/ultrarunning316/?p=102#comment-80 Quick update, first let me say I hope everyone's recovery is going well...Now real quick cause I've been crazy busy and am in need of some foam rolling then sleep :) Steven's Creek 50k went great for the first 12-13 miles which isn't surprising as my training to that point wasn't as extensive as I would of liked leading up to a race as tough as this one is...I held 4th place until Saratoga Gap and was 15 mins behind the leader/defending champ/and eventual winner Jean Pommier. After a ridiculously long climb which I felt just fine on I realized my legs were gassed and I slowly started to fade on the next few climbs. Again not a surprise as I had been training on moderate climbs but not anything with really steep and prolonged grades. So at mile 20 with many more steep hills left to conquer I decided to call it a day with no regrets. No injury resulted and the race gave me a great bit of information as to what I needed to shift my focus towards, bigger climbs. So fast forward a week later I returned to the place I was initially injured, Black Mountain Trail in Toro Park, just minutes from Monterey, plenty of long steep climbs there. I've been running there 3-4xs per week averaging @ 4,500 ft of gain per run at about 15 miles per run. It's been the next step in my training and my tendon although a little sore after has felt strong, which is great especially since this has been a banner year Caddying at Pebble Beach and her sister GCs about 5-6 days a week, so lots of time on feet to say the least...The most important thing has been trying to focus on recovery, ultrasound, foam roller, massage. Just ran a trail half-marathon at Toro Park put on by a great company, Inside Trail Runs, had pretty good results with the stepped up training coming in 4th OA and 2nd in my age group(AG), so feeling pretty good about my progress...Next adventure is the Lithia Loop Trail Marathon in Ashland, Or. Nov. 3rd! P.S. my daughter has been named captain of her XC team for Marina High School as a freshman and is doing well making her Daddy PROUD! :) God is good and right now life is pretty sweet. I have tried to have a positive outlook, just knowing God and what he's done with my life, which wasn't always the easiest of lives particularly growing up, but if you caught me at a down moment in one of the darker moments for me during this injury and subsequent recovery, of which there were a few, I never would of thought in those times that things would progress as they have. I have a lot to be thankful for and am appreciating the blessing, life isn't perfect but I choose to believe with Jesus the best is yet to come! God bless you all and just look at someone like me who's gone through what you're going through and didn't know what to expect (though I chose to have faith and hoped against hope, some people told me I'd never run again, have hope in the face of those type of doubts). Well things are well with me and I'm hear to let any of you know that need to hear this, things will be well for you as well. It's just a matter of faith and time. Did I say this was going to be a quick little update? Well I tried :) Be well friends. Quick update, first let me say I hope everyone’s recovery is going well…Now real quick cause I’ve been crazy busy and am in need of some foam rolling then sleep :) Steven’s Creek 50k went great for the first 12-13 miles which isn’t surprising as my training to that point wasn’t as extensive as I would of liked leading up to a race as tough as this one is…I held 4th place until Saratoga Gap and was 15 mins behind the leader/defending champ/and eventual winner Jean Pommier. After a ridiculously long climb which I felt just fine on I realized my legs were gassed and I slowly started to fade on the next few climbs. Again not a surprise as I had been training on moderate climbs but not anything with really steep and prolonged grades. So at mile 20 with many more steep hills left to conquer I decided to call it a day with no regrets. No injury resulted and the race gave me a great bit of information as to what I needed to shift my focus towards, bigger climbs.
So fast forward a week later I returned to the place I was initially injured, Black Mountain Trail in Toro Park, just minutes from Monterey, plenty of long steep climbs there. I’ve been running there 3-4xs per week averaging @ 4,500 ft of gain per run at about 15 miles per run. It’s been the next step in my training and my tendon although a little sore after has felt strong, which is great especially since this has been a banner year Caddying at Pebble Beach and her sister GCs about 5-6 days a week, so lots of time on feet to say the least…The most important thing has been trying to focus on recovery, ultrasound, foam roller, massage. Just ran a trail half-marathon at Toro Park put on by a great company, Inside Trail Runs, had pretty good results with the stepped up training coming in 4th OA and 2nd in my age group(AG), so feeling pretty good about my progress…Next adventure is the Lithia Loop Trail Marathon in Ashland, Or. Nov. 3rd!
P.S. my daughter has been named captain of her XC team for Marina High School as a freshman and is doing well making her Daddy PROUD! :) God is good and right now life is pretty sweet. I have tried to have a positive outlook, just knowing God and what he’s done with my life, which wasn’t always the easiest of lives particularly growing up, but if you caught me at a down moment in one of the darker moments for me during this injury and subsequent recovery, of which there were a few, I never would of thought in those times that things would progress as they have. I have a lot to be thankful for and am appreciating the blessing, life isn’t perfect but I choose to believe with Jesus the best is yet to come!
God bless you all and just look at someone like me who’s gone through what you’re going through and didn’t know what to expect (though I chose to have faith and hoped against hope, some people told me I’d never run again, have hope in the face of those type of doubts). Well things are well with me and I’m hear to let any of you know that need to hear this, things will be well for you as well. It’s just a matter of faith and time. Did I say this was going to be a quick little update? Well I tried :) Be well friends.

]]> Comment on Running - just about up to full strength by Skutr http://AchillesBlog.com/ultrarunning316/2012/08/26/running-just-about-up-to-full-strength/comment-page-1/#comment-77 Skutr Thu, 06 Sep 2012 02:00:12 +0000 http://AchillesBlog.com/ultrarunning316/?p=102#comment-77 I promise I will pray that God will grant you the strength of an angel on Saturday. Your 50K on Saturday & my Tough Mudder on Sunday - wheeee - this is gong to be a fun weekend. I promise I will pray that God will grant you the strength of an angel on Saturday. Your 50K on Saturday & my Tough Mudder on Sunday - wheeee - this is gong to be a fun weekend.

]]> Comment on Running - just about up to full strength by starshep http://AchillesBlog.com/ultrarunning316/2012/08/26/running-just-about-up-to-full-strength/comment-page-1/#comment-76 starshep Thu, 06 Sep 2012 00:01:31 +0000 http://AchillesBlog.com/ultrarunning316/?p=102#comment-76 Ultrarunning, I think just showing up to the a 50K is representing the ATR community well. I hope fortune favors you this weekend. I totally agree with you about setting goals. At this point, I'm just trying to get my atrophied calf strength back to the level of my uninjured calf. When I started at the gym on the calf raise machine, my atrophied calf was at about 1/3 the strength of my other calf. Today I'm at about half strength. Every session at the gym I squeeze one more rep out or add 5 more pounds. It's gonna take a while, still I know that with enough time and work, I'll get there. I'll be looking forward to your report on the race. Ultrarunning,
I think just showing up to the a 50K is representing the ATR community well. I hope fortune favors you this weekend. I totally agree with you about setting goals. At this point, I’m just trying to get my atrophied calf strength back to the level of my uninjured calf. When I started at the gym on the calf raise machine, my atrophied calf was at about 1/3 the strength of my other calf. Today I’m at about half strength. Every session at the gym I squeeze one more rep out or add 5 more pounds. It’s gonna take a while, still I know that with enough time and work, I’ll get there.

I’ll be looking forward to your report on the race.

]]> Comment on Running - just about up to full strength by ultrarunning316 http://AchillesBlog.com/ultrarunning316/2012/08/26/running-just-about-up-to-full-strength/comment-page-1/#comment-75 ultrarunning316 Wed, 05 Sep 2012 08:12:20 +0000 http://AchillesBlog.com/ultrarunning316/?p=102#comment-75 Just makes you appreciate what you have...P.S. going to be running the Steven's Creek 50k this Sat. the 8th, it was my first goal way back when I was first coming out of my boot(also the 8th is my 16th wedding anny!), just a thought make sure you have a goal, even if it seems like it may be ridiculous at the time, feel like it really helps when/if you plateau in your rehab. Wish me well & if you're the praying kind, I would more than welcome a prayer! This race is 31 miles and fairly tough as it has close to 6,000 ft of elevation, I was 9th last year in about 5hrs 48mins, I run this distance when fully fit on the road around an hour and a half faster so it's really tough and hot usually...Haven't run anything over 21 miles yet in my training so a little nervous about that...I hope to represent the ATR community well this weekend! :) As always God bless you all. Just makes you appreciate what you have…P.S. going to be running the Steven’s Creek 50k this Sat. the 8th, it was my first goal way back when I was first coming out of my boot(also the 8th is my 16th wedding anny!), just a thought make sure you have a goal, even if it seems like it may be ridiculous at the time, feel like it really helps when/if you plateau in your rehab. Wish me well & if you’re the praying kind, I would more than welcome a prayer! This race is 31 miles and fairly tough as it has close to 6,000 ft of elevation, I was 9th last year in about 5hrs 48mins, I run this distance when fully fit on the road around an hour and a half faster so it’s really tough and hot usually…Haven’t run anything over 21 miles yet in my training so a little nervous about that…I hope to represent the ATR community well this weekend! :) As always God bless you all.

]]> Comment on Running - just about up to full strength by kimjax http://AchillesBlog.com/ultrarunning316/2012/08/26/running-just-about-up-to-full-strength/comment-page-1/#comment-74 kimjax Tue, 28 Aug 2012 02:44:43 +0000 http://AchillesBlog.com/ultrarunning316/?p=102#comment-74 Awesome! Even though I have no intention of ever getting in the shape of you, ryanb, and others - it's nice to know I COULD....:) Thanks for sharing - love hearing the stories of those of you who have gone onto strong recoveries and sport comebacks - makes my small goals seem even more doable! You are an inspiration! Awesome! Even though I have no intention of ever getting in the shape of you, ryanb, and others - it’s nice to know I COULD….:) Thanks for sharing - love hearing the stories of those of you who have gone onto strong recoveries and sport comebacks - makes my small goals seem even more doable! You are an inspiration!

]]> Comment on 23 weeks - work, Montana & Badwater Ultramarathon by ultrarunning316 http://AchillesBlog.com/ultrarunning316/2012/07/25/23-weeks-work-montana-badwater-ultramarathon/comment-page-1/#comment-73 ultrarunning316 Fri, 03 Aug 2012 02:36:04 +0000 http://AchillesBlog.com/ultrarunning316/?p=83#comment-73 My apologies for not being around the blog...Let's see, I am really blessed to have a treadmill, mostly because it allowed me the ability to do a lot of walking that I could control the speed & incline on. To me those many miles & hours of walking we're exactly what I needed to help build and prepare a new base fitness level + some core work...I walked as much as I could at least every other day and I walked intently but with an understanding that I would push it but I wouldn't cross the line & would back off if I had any real fatigue of twinges or if anything felt not right. I let my bodies energy and my legs tell me when I was ready to run...I recall the exact moment, I was walking hard and just felt this little bit of giddy up in my legs and I went with it but only for a few strides :) but it was an awesome indicator...The next night I ran a 1/4 mile on the tready, then I just increased the next session I think to a mile might have been a bit more, but remember I had worked my supporting leg muscles & core into a fairly good shape so it wasn't like a raw jumping into the pool with both feet type of thing if anything I may have been ready to go for a week previous... Running on the treadmill was to me like having a safety net because I could step off at any time, I didn't have to worry about running out the door a few miles & then feeling like I shouldn't continue & then risking re-rupture on the way back...But if I didn't have the treadmill I would of probably just run repeats in the neighborhood just to be close to home. I always ran at an easier pace than I felt capable of say 70%...Even now I've only really thrown down nothing faster than 6:30 M/mile & that's as close to the line as I want to get right now. I've matched my pace to my distance pretty well my last semi speed work was 6 miles going out around 9:00 - 9:30 min pace coming back I negative split the last three progressively 7:30 to 6:30 min, but my last long run (my 1st 20 miler post injury) was done at a 11:10 min/mile ave pace something I would of had no problem holding a 8:10 min pace pre injury...So just start with light miles, take extra rest days(rest is part of training), keep a light pace(easier than your capable of), and low volume with a steady build in all areas...Just remember to continue to rest & listen to your body...I'm still fluctuating between 20-30 miles a week, getting ready to raise that up to 30-40 m/week. I would say a mini cycle of 3 weeks of building miles to 1 week of rest no running(light walking), would be a good pattern with a building week looking like walk/run, rest day, walk/run, rest day, light running, rest day, rest day...building from there. Right now I've built to where I plan on a certain distance for the day if it's a day I want to run & run as long as it's fun. If I feel the tendon tiring or feel like my form is not great I cut my run short...So just don't rush your recovery, take it in steps that progress naturally. My apologies for not being around the blog…Let’s see, I am really blessed to have a treadmill, mostly because it allowed me the ability to do a lot of walking that I could control the speed & incline on. To me those many miles & hours of walking we’re exactly what I needed to help build and prepare a new base fitness level + some core work…I walked as much as I could at least every other day and I walked intently but with an understanding that I would push it but I wouldn’t cross the line & would back off if I had any real fatigue of twinges or if anything felt not right.

I let my bodies energy and my legs tell me when I was ready to run…I recall the exact moment, I was walking hard and just felt this little bit of giddy up in my legs and I went with it but only for a few strides :) but it was an awesome indicator…The next night I ran a 1/4 mile on the tready, then I just increased the next session I think to a mile might have been a bit more, but remember I had worked my supporting leg muscles & core into a fairly good shape so it wasn’t like a raw jumping into the pool with both feet type of thing if anything I may have been ready to go for a week previous…

Running on the treadmill was to me like having a safety net because I could step off at any time, I didn’t have to worry about running out the door a few miles & then feeling like I shouldn’t continue & then risking re-rupture on the way back…But if I didn’t have the treadmill I would of probably just run repeats in the neighborhood just to be close to home. I always ran at an easier pace than I felt capable of say 70%…Even now I’ve only really thrown down nothing faster than 6:30 M/mile & that’s as close to the line as I want to get right now. I’ve matched my pace to my distance pretty well my last semi speed work was 6 miles going out around 9:00 - 9:30 min pace coming back I negative split the last three progressively 7:30 to 6:30 min, but my last long run (my 1st 20 miler post injury) was done at a 11:10 min/mile ave pace something I would of had no problem holding a 8:10 min pace pre injury…So just start with light miles, take extra rest days(rest is part of training), keep a light pace(easier than your capable of), and low volume with a steady build in all areas…Just remember to continue to rest & listen to your body…I’m still fluctuating between 20-30 miles a week, getting ready to raise that up to 30-40 m/week. I would say a mini cycle of 3 weeks of building miles to 1 week of rest no running(light walking), would be a good pattern with a building week looking like walk/run, rest day, walk/run, rest day, light running, rest day, rest day…building from there. Right now I’ve built to where I plan on a certain distance for the day if it’s a day I want to run & run as long as it’s fun. If I feel the tendon tiring or feel like my form is not great I cut my run short…So just don’t rush your recovery, take it in steps that progress naturally.

]]> Comment on 23 weeks - work, Montana & Badwater Ultramarathon by onhiatus http://AchillesBlog.com/ultrarunning316/2012/07/25/23-weeks-work-montana-badwater-ultramarathon/comment-page-1/#comment-72 onhiatus Sun, 29 Jul 2012 16:49:53 +0000 http://AchillesBlog.com/ultrarunning316/?p=83#comment-72 You are are such an inspiration ultrarunning316! Congrats on such a fantastic road to recovery, too! I'm starting week 8--hoping to take my first step soon and like eastcoastrunner & pauls I can't wait to get back out there running! Posts like yours show it can... and will... be done! That pic of you hopping over the log just made my day, too. bring on two strong ankles!! You are are such an inspiration ultrarunning316! Congrats on such a fantastic road to recovery, too! I’m starting week 8–hoping to take my first step soon and like eastcoastrunner & pauls I can’t wait to get back out there running! Posts like yours show it can… and will… be done! That pic of you hopping over the log just made my day, too. bring on two strong ankles!!

]]> Comment on 23 weeks - work, Montana & Badwater Ultramarathon by pauls http://AchillesBlog.com/ultrarunning316/2012/07/25/23-weeks-work-montana-badwater-ultramarathon/comment-page-1/#comment-71 pauls Wed, 25 Jul 2012 15:39:37 +0000 http://AchillesBlog.com/ultrarunning316/?p=83#comment-71 How long from surgery to your first run? I was training for a half marathon which is in October of this year! Not that I am going to be able to do that but to give me some idea of time scale. I will be 4 weeks post surgery this Friday! Not that I am counting every day :) How long from surgery to your first run? I was training for a half marathon which is in October of this year! Not that I am going to be able to do that but to give me some idea of time scale. I will be 4 weeks post surgery this Friday! Not that I am counting every day :)

]]> Comment on 23 weeks - work, Montana & Badwater Ultramarathon by eastcoastrunner http://AchillesBlog.com/ultrarunning316/2012/07/25/23-weeks-work-montana-badwater-ultramarathon/comment-page-1/#comment-70 eastcoastrunner Wed, 25 Jul 2012 11:41:32 +0000 http://AchillesBlog.com/ultrarunning316/?p=83#comment-70 Ultrarunning-- You are doing fantastic with recovery! Very inspiring! Thanks for sharing your vacation story. Sounds like quite the adventure! Great pics, too. Congrats to Oswaldo for that awesome Badwater finish. Do you mind if I ask about your "return to running" program? I have my 4 month appt with my Ortho next week, and he said that I should be given the "green light" to start running then. I don't have easy access to a treadmill, I'm thinking of starting back out on the flat/smooth rail-trail that I've been "hiking" on. How soon before you were ready for "regular" trails? (I know, New England trails and CA trails are NOT the same beasties! You have big hills, we have roots, rocks, mud) Vermont was this past weekend, and the weather was perfect for them. sigh...next year! Ultrarunning– You are doing fantastic with recovery! Very inspiring! Thanks for sharing your vacation story. Sounds like quite the adventure! Great pics, too. Congrats to Oswaldo for that awesome Badwater finish.
Do you mind if I ask about your “return to running” program? I have my 4 month appt with my Ortho next week, and he said that I should be given the “green light” to start running then. I don’t have easy access to a treadmill, I’m thinking of starting back out on the flat/smooth rail-trail that I’ve been “hiking” on. How soon before you were ready for “regular” trails? (I know, New England trails and CA trails are NOT the same beasties! You have big hills, we have roots, rocks, mud)
Vermont was this past weekend, and the weather was perfect for them. sigh…next year!

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