The Dopey Palindrome Challenge, FW connection UPDATE 1-12-2015

[John VN]

Yuppers BamaEd, reality is sometimes a bitter pill to swallow, , but think of all the fun and hurt!!!!

We pay for the pain, and I for one enjoy every minute of it.....BTW, I got a bridge to sell.

I can already hear the music and the announcer winding everyone up for the 5K.

 

[garneska]

I am not new to injuries or the goofy so I do have my plans but always looking for affirmation, especially since we are so close. I am starting to panic. I went out and did 4.5 miles again today but that knee is not good. Will see how walking at epcot is later but it's not good. I already scrapped a run this week being this Saturday as we head back to Atlanta. My plan was 8 Sunday and 12 on Xmas eve (was supposed to be 16 then 14 now 12). I don't think I can do it. My new plan is to spend 1.5 hours on the ellptical on Sunday and basically stick with ellptical or recumbent bike for the next 2 weeks. Do 3 hours on Xmas eve (probably combo of bike and ellptical). I leave again for Disney jan 3. My thought is that week to do some short runs since I won't have access to ellptical.

So I am questioning my last long day, should I ellptical or walk for 4 hours, or try and run? I am so under trained it is it even funny. I did have a good 14 miler 2 weeks ago.

 

[bama_ed]

Kris, sorry to hear you are having knee issues too.

If those were my knees I would opt for the elliptical and not put the pounding of a run or even the loading from a long walk on them. The recumbent bike would be even better probably for extended workouts so you won't even be standing on them that long.

Keep the cardio work up and try to let those knees heal. I would spare the knees until you arrive at the Fort to give them the best chance to improve.

I need to do my last long run this weekend - 14m. Wanted to do it tomorrow morning but rain is coming in and still may be around at 7am.

Hope I didn't come across as crass or uncaring. I'm pulling for you and John to get healthy and we all have a good experience in 3 weeks.

Bama Ed

 

[John VN]

Kris, more great advice from BamaEd about cardio without a bunch of knee loading, and BTW, good luck with the 14 this weekend.

7th morning in a row out on the road and believe it or not, things went surprisingly well. Put 3/4" Duct Tape strips a little tighter under the patella's and then the Cho-Pat Dual Knee Straps. Walking was without issues and even jogged a bit. By no means did I burn up the road but managed a 11:00mpm pace for 10K.

Here's one for the books, going out tomorrow morning at 0330 with a bicycling buddy for a 2 hour ride. Got some awesome lights that shine like high beams.

Ever so close.

 

[John VN]

After 7 straight days of pavement pounding, my legs have FINALLY gotten accustomed to the motions.

DW purchased 2 ZAMST JK Bands at Fit2Run yesterday for my knees and they worked GREAT this morning. I bicycled 83 miles yesterday with 32 of them being a hard club ride so I was concerned how my legs would do today.

Got out at 0340 for 10K with the straps on and kept my walking pace under 12mpm. Legs and knees felt fine. Took a 10 minute break, pit stop and changed shoes then back out for 7 miles more but this time a slow and cautious jog keeping in touch with my knee's feedback. Lowered the pace a bit and things were still pretty good. Seems like the straps did the job and hopefully I can now start to speed up a bit without worries.

3 weeks for the marathon......

 

[garneska]

Home today so did 90 min on ellptical. The only way to pass the time. I watched Frozen. Knee is getting better but not 100%. John, do you have runners knee as well? I am going to check out your straps.

No worries Bama ed on being harsh. I am just looking for opinions. I am still unsure for wed. I really want to go out and run/walk for 3 hours since I am so undertrained that 3 hour out on my feet might help me mentally, but I am not sure how the knee will do. Basically I know my best shot for finishing both races is if my knee is not hurting. I am sure I can get through the half its the full that I am worried about. Maybe it will just be 3 or 4 hours on machines. The more I think about it I am leaning towards machines, it will protect the knee. Ugh and it is not even taper madness yet.

On the drive home yesterday we were planning our meals for the week before at the fort. I am anxiously watching the weather.

 

[bama_ed]

Well I am home and cleaned up after doing a 14m long run (the last one). I tried to make it as race-like as I could. No cutting corners or taking short cuts. I fueled and hydrated before, during, and after based on your feedback after my twelver a few weeks ago.

I did the same loop 4 times and measured it several different ways so I could get accurate splits and came in at 13:12. With the hills around here I'm satisfied with that so I am hoping flat Florida comes through for me with a few less seconds on race day.

Kris, do what you can with those knees. I too am watching the weather forecast for race week on Accuweather. It looks good now but I know it will change 20 times before then.

My training plan starts to taper now with only 5m and 3m the next two weekends and conditioning runs in-between. Won't be long.

Bama Ed

 

[John VN]

Kris- I have never been officially diagnosed as having runner's knee, http://www.webmd.com/pain-management/knee-pain/runners-knee, though many years ago I was told I have arthritis. Occasionally my knees collapse partially or fully, in which case I wind up on ground. All I know is that today the straps worked as well as the Cho-Pat straps and there was no binding or weight drawback. Duct tape and electrical tape has also worked but smarts when removing.

BamaEd- Well done with the 14. Maintain now and things will go smoothly.

 

[garneska]

Congrats Bama ed. Just maintain. The hay is in the barn.

John, I have some old knee straps so will give it a try. I don't have a diagnosis either. I am afraid if I go to the dr he won't want me to run, but from the accident I already hit my deductible so it would be better to go now. I have dealt with knee pain before but it was a while ago and this seems to be different pain then I had. Of course I know I had that fall so it could just be from getting started to quick. The weird thing is it doesn't feel like the knee cap is tracking wrong. It is sore on the inside of the knee (not outside which I usually relate to IT issues). But mainly it is hard and painful to straighten.

Unfortunately I wil dwell on it. All kinds of could have and should have but it is now and I think Wed will be machines so as to keep the pounding off it. Will keep doing exercises and foam rolling.

 

[John VN]

I found it very encouraging that my legs felt alive for today's 5K after have done the 13.44 on Sunday, a very hard 32 miles biking plus 10 more easy miles yesterday. I even delivered some food to a friend today via my work bike. A round trip of 20 miles with a 20mph headwind all the way home.

Providing I wake up tomorrow morning, I should be going out for another 50-60 mile bike ride, a 10K Friday with a possible swim after, 50 miles biking Saturday and will shoot for an easy does it 15 mile pavement pounder on Sunday AM.

Getting closer every day!!!!!

 

[John VN]

Merry Christmas all!!!! and guess what????

T minus 2 WEEKS from right now, DW and I will be driving to the EPCOT parking lot for the 5K.

just noticed that 4 more posts gives me a palindrome POST count

 

[garneska]

John so glad your legs are feeling good. I managed 3.25 hours on machines yesterday. I did an hour on ellptical, then an hour on the recumbent bike, then 45 on elliptical and 30 min on bike. It was quite boring but knee felt a lot better. I know it is not as good as running for 3 hours but i am not sure the knee could handle it. That being said, it feels better every day.

Now my dilemna do i run on sat. I am thinking about it. I was thinking i might be able to do 9 and still have two weeks to recover. I guess i may give it a go but if the knee starts bothering me just stop. I really think i need to keep it healthy. Ugh i hate this. I dont want to make it worse but i want to run on it.

I can't believe it is 2 weeks away. I have to start packing all my throw away clothes. Weather looks good but i dont like to stand around in mid 40s with just shorts, so definitely need throw away. If the weather does hold should be good running weather, though i prefer 50, i will take upper 40s.

Merry Christmas and the hay is in the barn.

 

[John VN]

Kris-your legs have been through long races before so you know what it is all about. Time, time and more time pounding away since we are not 4mpm pace people.

Getting the longer duration time effort using machines is far better than pounding on the road and injuring the knees. I bicycled 70 miles today instead of road work to get the length of time effort in.

When you do get on the road, take it easy and listen to the knees.

 

[garneska]

Yesterday I did 2 hours on machines ellptical for most and bike. I did try and run on TM. Did it for 5 min and could tell it would mess up the knee so back to ellptical I went. I had my massage yesterday and we don't think it is muscular. Though we don't think it is a tear just a stressed out ligament or meniscus. I will basically stop attempts at running until the half and stick to machines for cardio.

Now the pouring part. I have a cold. DH had it first and kicked it. I had a scratchy throat Friday, head congestion on Saturday and now the cough on Sunday. Good thing is it is not the flu. I should recover in a few days, but I think I am going to take a rest day today. Plus I slept in. I didn't set alarm, I thought extra sleep would help. I do have to do some cleaning today, in laws will be here tomorrow so that will be the workout.

Plus I noticed temps going up. They are even a little high for me so am sure lots of people are not happy. I know it can still change.

I hope you guys are doing better than me.

 

[John VN]

Kris-if it's not one thing, it's another. Stick with the machines to keep the base and come Donald Time, it would be wise to simply do a nice and easy half.

.........I hope you guys are doing better than me.

Definitely doing better here, but not everything great.

Yesterday I went for a bicycle ride with the local bicycle shop gang and did much better than expected. That's the great part.

Wanting to do 15 to 20 miles today, I went to bed early last night, around 9:45pm-early for me, and promptly woke up at 11:25pm feeling weird in the legs. The bike ride was very fast and sometimes the muscles aren't happy at night. Took a hot shower and felt better but not good enough to get back to sleep. Decided to just go out and start my miles so I hit the road at 12:25AM. Very slow going with many rest stops because of the bicycle ride. At 17 miles the knees started acting up so I just went back to the house and got DW since she wanted to get out. Added another 1.5 miles with her so didn't make my 20 but 18+ will do. That's it for long and tomorrow I'll head out just to exercise the muscles.

Two weeks from this time I hope to be done with the MICKEY Marathon.

Getting closer to my McFlurry.

McFlurry John

p.s.-this was my 4554 Palindrome post!!!

 

[bama_ed]

John, aren't you worried about riding in the middle of the night? I know you probably have a light and/or reflective gear but I would worry about cars with tired drivers not paying attention. And Kris, you're going to have to baby those knees all the way until the Half.

Well I did okay today. I pounded out 5m about as well as can be expected and felt fine.

However, I'm beginning to look at the Accuweather forecast a little more seriously now that we are 2 weeks away and Friday and Saturday night before the 2 long races shows a low of 59. That is not that cold by long race standards. At least the Half will run a reasonable portion of the race in the early morning darkness before the sun comes up and warms things.

I know, I know, don't watch the weather because it will change a million times between now and then.

Still...

Bama Ed

 

[John VN]

BamaEd-Good deal getting in 5 miles. The weather might very well be on the warm side, I expect it will be, and I am fearful for the northeners. Yesterday's temps were upper 60's and humid when I started out.

Got out for 4 miles this AM on tired legs. They at least moved me and the knees were good. Got to bicycle to HD and Publix right now for stuff.

As the saying goes, they roll up the sidewalks very early in my town, so there are very few cars. Bright lights along with mirrors plus I watch for any weaving of approaching vehicles and would take evasive action if needed.

 

[garneska]

I slept in more than I would have liked today but since I am fighting the cold I figure it was good for me. That's my excuse and sticking to it. Apparently I coughed last night as DH was quick to point out this morning. I am still coughing but feel so much better today.

I did 30 min on ellptical and exercises. That made me feel better as well. My knee feels ok. It does not bother me on ellptical but I am still not going to run on it. My hope is to get 2 hours of machines in on Thursday. After that all I can do is hope. I knew after the accident this would be difficult and not my best race, so just hoping to finish.

 

[John VN]

Just hit me, in 2 weeks DW and I will be finishing up dinner on the Dream.

Kris-stay with the machines and let the body get back to 100% or as close as possible. I know for sure I will be far from 100%, but I will take it easy during the races and because of that, I'm betting I will have the most fun...EVER!!!!

 

[John VN]

HAPPY NEW YEAR to all and just

one WEEK to GO!!!