Run: 6.5 miles in ≈51 min. @ 5:30 a.m.

Weather: Foggy, 70°F, 87% Humidity, Wind: From WSW @ 3 mph; feels like 70°F.
Course: 10k Plus found on USATF Map It!
Pace: ≈7:50 min/mile
Effort: 4 out of 5
How did I feel? Good!
Gear: Amphipod RunLite Trail Runner

This morning, the humidity is back with a vengeance and it brought fog(!) with it. I don't believe I've ever felt as soaked through following a run, though I feel somewhat fortunate for having had the high humidity so early in the morning to run in as this sort of weather is likely more indicative of what I will experience in both of the races I have registered to run in the near future. Last weekend's freakish cool spell was pleasant for running (and walking and festival going) but highly unusual for an upstate New York August..

Now for some marginally related news... My biggest issue of late has been a tooth one. About five weeks ago, I had three wisdom teeth extracted. Less than two weeks after that I made an appointment to go to the dentist as I was having some unrelated pain with a tooth on the lower right side of my mouth. Two minutes after looking at it the dentist had me receiving an "emergency" root canal. Now two weeks later, the area feels no different (or worse, worse!) than it did in the first place. Truth is it hasn't felt well since the initial Novocaine wore off, but I'm leery of saying anything as it may prompt another "emergency" procedure.

Tomorrow (though the office has yet to confirm it with me) I have a follow-up appointment at which time I'm unsure how to address this without sounding as angry and frustrated as I feel.

Breathe in, breathe out… YOU AND I ARE ALIVE!

The Road to "Recovery"?

After nearly a month of resting my knees (and waiting for an appointment), this morning I finally made it to my orthopaedic specialist (actually his assistant) regarding the lingering knee ache which has plagued me following the July 4 50k. Other than a short recovery run a few days afterward, a single bicycle trip to work and some hiking in the Adirondacks with my wife, it has been a fairly exercise free summer month... something that is not easy to take, though I have managed by filling my time with other endeavors.

The result of my visit was positive and I left with no less than three prescriptions (patella strap, orthotics and super-duper strengthen anitinflammatories), one list of recommended knee strengthening exercise, an envelope of copious notes--many unrelated to the visit (pictured to the right), as well as, some insight which will be useful in purchasing my next pair of running shoes. That last thought about running shoes, however, might be me getting ahead of myself though, as it was suggested that I return to running following a period of first bicycling, followed by easy "jogging."

I have a follow-up appointment in four weeks, at which time I am hoping to have worked myself to a point wheer the doc will allow me to begin running.

Breathe in, breathe out… YOU AND I ARE ALIVE!

Gone Running Biking Recovering?

One day removed from bicycling to work and my knees have not responded well to the attempt at the peddling motion--which is problematic as it is reminiscent of the running one without the impact of striking the ground It would appear that I have a la longer recovery period to look forward to.

In addition to continuing RICE and my regular vitamin supplement regiment (Glucosomine/Chondroitin, anti-inflammatory, fish oil, and One-a-Day), I took the step of calling my physician to schedule a visit with him regarding the pain/ache. Of course, health care being what it is, the earliest appointment available was for mid-August (though as I am currently on summer break, I assured the receptionist that I could come into the office at the drop of a hat should there be a cancellation), so it appears as though I will be breaking for at least the duration, likely what will be prescribed anyway.

Now that my running and bicycing days are over for the summer, it looks like it might be an appropriate time to turn my sights on some other endeavor... though just how it fits into the "Run-a-bout!" theme I've (sort of) established here remains to be seen.

Breathe in, breathe out… YOU AND I ARE ALIVE!

Gangli-again: A Return to Dr. T

Following the previous treatment for the ganglion mass of "stuff" building on the joint between my left ankle and foot, I had my follow-up appointment with Dr. T (my podiatrist) this morning. At my last appointment, he once again drained the cyst and then injected some low level steroids in hopes of prompting a reduction in the mass. This, once again, proved unsuccessful. So what's next, you ask?

As I suspected, I will need to have some basic out-patient surgery to remove the mass. Dr. T assured me the result would be a two -inch incision on the top of my foot with 4-5 stitches and approximately a week of more limited activity. I will be able to walk out of the surgery, but more vigorous activity, like running, will need to be put on hold for about a week. He suggested maybe doing the procedure over Columbus Day or Thanksgiving Breaks (remember, I'm a teacher!), but I asked if we could wait until Holiday Break in December, so that I could continue to train for some Fall runs.

Other than being unsightly, the only real problems are the need to re-lace my shoes (resulting in a "less-tight" feeling) and an occasional ache. Today when I went to Dr. T's, the bulge looked less pronounc3d than after a run... then it get's pretty huge and red (!), and he said this was normal and would continue to happen as I continued to train. He did tell me, however, that it would not explode...

So following a quick "draining" and the application of some tape (check out the pic to the right) I was on my way... but fear not, Dr. T assured me it would likely continue to swell (fill-up) and shrink (slightly)... YUCK!

Breathe in, breathe out… YOU AND I ARE ALIVE!

Return to the Dog Doc

Just two days ago I posted about Gracie's successful visit to the veterinarian's. I hope I wasn't crowing too loudly, I was just glad that she was in fin shape. One thing I purposely didn't mention was that Gracie was having a little problem with urinating on the floor--it was an issue of epidemic proportions, just that on two occasions over the past few weeks we notices small puddles in the house which we determined to be puppy-pee. At the vet's earlier this week, we mentioned this to the dog doc, so she asked us to bring Gracie in today (Friday), with a full bladder, so that they could extract a sample from her; not have her "pee in a cup," but extract as in remove with a needle.... OUCH!

In order to insure that her bladder was full, and that they could take the sample, I woke up early this morning, not to run or bike, but to let Gracie out to go potty, and then offer her water. The doc says that if we keep her from going potty for four-to-five hours priro to the appointment it should be enough time.

I must confess to feeling a little guilty about, first, taking her to the doc's, and then later in the day, taking her to the kennel where she will stay while Anne and I are out of town. I am confident that the kennel is a nice place un by good people (Gracie has stayed there before without a problem), I just feel bad that the second needs to come so soon after the first... I also realize (for all you non-animal lovers, out there) that this is a bit of anthropomorphizing on my part... but, heck, it's our family dog for goodness sake!

Breathe in, breathe out… YOU AND I ARE ALIVE!

Going to the Doctor's for Some Sunshine!

"So, doc, what your saying is that if there is anything I really want to do, I should do it now... just in case?"~my response to my doctor sharing the worst case scenarios (which are probably hogwash!)

Late yesterday afternoon, following (what was to be our last day of school with students and two hours of grading state assessments), I headed out to my primary physician's office looking for some answers regrading the recent numbness and aching in my left arm (fingers, hand, elbow, shoulder),leg (knee, foot) and chest. The doc did a basic neurological evaluation, finding nothing unusual about the problem. In fact, he noted that I appear to be in excellent shape. I explained that my concern stems from the fact that generally speaking, when I am otherwise occupied, I tend to notice the numbness (or tingling) less, but when I am going about my day-to-day life, it is noticeable and troubling.

Doc said that, based on what he could see from a quickie evaluation is called a paresthesis, or simply put, is a sensation of tingling, pricking, or numbness of a person's skin with no apparent long-term physical effect. It is more generally known as the feeling of "pins and needles" or of a limb being "asleep" and manifestation of parasthesia may be transient or chronic.

Fortunately (I suppose) as a recreational athlete I am fairly aware of my body and when things are off. I expressed that my concern comes from the fact that I know that something is wrong and I can't explain why. The doc gave me some advice and info, none of which I found terribly helpful:

"Sometimes when you get older things don't feel the way they used to..."
"... it may just go away in a few days?"
"It may be an indicator of a larger issue or just the result of tweak..."
"have you been doing anything different of late?"

So, from here, we watch the situation in re-evaluate in three weeks. My hope is that it will go away or that something will change to indicate a need for further testing... the likely next step should it not be "transient" and go away.

For now, I find myself evaluating what I do looking for a clue. I noticed last nigth while bicycling home from class that I tend to lean heavily on my hands while pumping my legs uphill... I'll note it and move on.

Breathe in, breathe out... YOU AND I ARE ALIVE!