The Light

Hey guys I know, I know. When I started this blog I enjoyed it. I was running well for an old guy and I was even secretly proud that I was sponsored and represented the Indiana Running Company. Free gear is awesome, especially bright yellow singlets. More than I could have hoped after my third year back from my quarter century of not running. At the time the weather was great, the sun actually shined for more than one day in a row and I held my own in workouts with the young guys. I knew I wasn't an elite athlete but I have always wondered if I could be a master's elite or close? Life was not perfect, but good, and running was my escape and the one thing I might actually be good at. Blogging presented a challenge for me. I am tech challenged but with the help of Scott B. I got this thing going. I enjoy rambling. That seems to be my style and in some weird way my thoughts are all connected. In person I have always been shy and a bit aloof until I get to know others and feel more at ease. As my luck would have it the guys I run with are all younger and splitting atoms in their free time I think. As awkward as that sounds I enjoy their company and training with them last year made me better. I miss Nick's though. However the young guy training coupled with my love for racing EVERY weekend resulted in all my aches and of course my Mammoth Tendonitis. Lessons learned.

Here it is  almost June and my fitness is lacking. My race times are horrible and I have honestly had 1 good workout this year and that was over a month ago. I am not focusing on Mag 7 points this year. Don't get me wrong, I want to. I mean 3 years in a row Mag 7 champ would be awesome. But I can't do the training I need to to be top 3 in most races and age group winner is not enough for me. Also some new competition showed up this year, which is great but now I need to work harder. I started Graston yesterday for my achilles and lower leg issues. It did hurt REALLY bad. I did have tears and I was sweating so bad I was embarrassed. Tim R if you read this please don't remind me that this is what you recommended at end of last year. I hope this treatment will get me back to myself again soon. When I run now it always hurts, never feels comfortable and it feels like I am running in someone else body. I remember on some days last year where it felt like I was floating when I ran fast and I miss that a lot. I didn't feel that way everyday but enough that I knew I could be fast and maybe even faster. One particular day we were running back to the stadium and I felt so incredible. I was running 5:20-5:25 pace, slight wind behind and I think I could have ran even faster that day. If I could feel that way more often I think my goals of sub 17 for most 5k's, 35 for 10k and sub 1:18 for a half could happen! Right now what I desperately need is to be able to see some progress, to see The Light at the end of the tunnel. The doubts have taken over, yet I feel like I am the same runner I was and hope to be again. Hang with me guys and I will get back as soon as I can.