Starting Over

I ran about 1 3/4 miles today. It was an easy run, by myself, from the fitness center. Therw was no pain but still some tenderness in the groin area that led to the hernia surgery in the first place.

The workout was discouraging for a couple reasons. First of all when I got to the fitness center, my locker was locked and the key was gone! (I always leave my key in it). I found the only staff member on duty (Tammy) and she did open it up with the master key. We found an empty mesh bag.

Tammy then helped me find my clothes all bagged up in a closet. I had been kicked out! Apparently I notified the wrong person about my surgery. Everything is resolved now but it did make me feel sad and lonely for a while.

Then as I ran down into the flats and found a road closed and the whole old flats bar district bulldozed in preparation for a new development. Now I knew this was coming but it was still a surprise to see places like the Beach Club and the Paladium (more recently Larry Flynt's Hustler Club) totally gone.

Weight is up to 197 (from 184 last time I ran).

Wednesday Tremont

I ran the Tremont 5 1/2 mile route today. I consciously tried to run at a faster pace, but I'm just not good at running fast by myself. I ran 44:03, which is 8:00 per mile.

It was 2 1/2 minutes faster than the same route 2 weeks ago, but part of that is due to the terrain, as the roads are finally pretty much clear of snow and ice.

I did run past the new Progressive Field sign that went up in the past few days.

Hamstring feels about the same as yesterday.

Running Around The Hole

It was in the upper 30's and sunny today so Rick, Milica, Vicki, and I ran outside. We ran the marginal route and came back past this hole in the street caused by the water main break.

We also saw the NYU indoor track teams getting off their team buses and heading into their hotel. They are in Cleveland to participate in the UAA Indoor Track Championships at my alma mater, Case Western Reserve University.

It was a pretty easy run for me. The group stopped to walk twice, the 2nd time I didn't stop but ran on ahead.

I wore my watch, time was 42:06.

Weight = 188 lbs.

Beginning Again

I ended up taking the entire month of December off as a rest month. The purpose was to relax and also to rest my Achilles that had been bothering me for months.

I ran today, just an easy 2 miles. The weather was amazing. Low 60's in Cleveland in January and if we get 64 it could break the record temperature for the day. I ran down to CSU's Wolstein Center to get some concert tickets.

I was afraid I would be heavier but a bout with the flu in late December helped me keep some weight off and I weighed in today after my run at 191 lbs, exactly the same as the last time I was at the fitness center.

Thursday 5 Miles

There were 5 of us today, the largest group we've had in quite a while. Milica, Vicki, Kevin D, Peter, and myself all started together. We ran the marginal route. Kevin and Vicki turned off near the Cleveland Browns Stadium and ran about 3 miles.

The other 3 of us ran out marginal along the lake, and back past the muni parking lots. We added a lap around the building for a total of just over 5 miles. This was my first time seeing the new Lebron James banner.

I haven't found a link to the new banner but here is the old one. The new one has his arms extended, head back, and is a shot of his pregame ritual of chalking his hands and then sending the chalk into the air.

It was sunny but very breezy, when we ran through the alley behind the Rock Hall the wind almost stood us straight up!

My achilles felt much better today. I did have a little tightness in my lower right inside shin area.

And I checked my 2nd newest shoes, they are the ASICS GT 2110 so the new ones I bought are almost the same.

Weight = 187 lbs.

Trophy-Winning Speedwork

I ran speedwork on the St. Ignatius track today. I took a few sidestreets to get there and noticed something I've never seen before. The birthplace of John Heisman! Yes, the famous football coach who the award for college football's best player is named after.

Anyways, after a 1 3/4 mile warm-up, run partly with Rick and Kevin D, I arrived at the track. My plan was to do 4 x 400 meters, in around 80 seconds. My first one felt easy and smooth at 77 seconds. I guess it felt too easy because the next one I ran in 82 seconds.

I put some more effort into the 3rd one and was back down to 80 seconds, and the final repeat was my fastest of all in 76 seconds. I jogged 1 lap in between.

My pulse before the final 400 was 132 and then immediately after I finished it was all the way up to 204!

My 2 mile cool down took me past the Heisman house again for a total of 5 1/2 miles.

See A Penny . . .

. . . pick it up! Then all day you'll have good luck!

That saying or slogan is one that I usually keep, even when out running. Today I ran with Rick and Milica, we ran the 5 1/2 mile Tremont route. About 4 1/2 miles along I saw a penny on the ground, but was already past when I noticed it.

I debated in my head picking it up for about 50 steps or so, then finally turned back, saying "I'll catch you in a bit."

Then I went back and couldn't find it!

The run felt good, which is a good thing since I have a 5k coming up on Saturday!

Our company is participating in 4 walks this fall and hopes to have 1000 walkers in all. I can't participate as we have soccer in the fall, but I thought I would show my support by putting links here:

• ALS Walk, September 9th, Tri-C Western Campus
• Race For The Cure, September 15th, downtown Cleveland
• Juvenile Diabetes Walk, September 29th, Cleveland Metroparks Zoo
• Autism Walk, September 30th, Jacobs Field
  

On The Boardwalk

I ran about 3.5 miles on Tuesday morning, on the boardwalk in Atlantic City. I think my leg is really starting to feel better. I did stop and walk a couple times (it was a 4-mile out and back course) just to be safe, but it was partly because the temperature was on it's way to the 90's and humid.

I love running on the boardwalk, what a great place to people-watch!

Victoria & George biked along also, much faster than my running of course.

I'll try the hamstring again on Thursday and hopefully by next week I'll be back to normal.

Thursday 4.5 Miles

Rick and I ran the Burke Airport route again today to see if there was any action out at the site of the Grand Prix.

Alot of set-up going on but we didn't see any race cars warming up or taking test runs or anything. Maybe tomorrow. We did see the Worlds Largest Grill!

Rick was really hoping to see some Beach Volleyball, but all we saw was a pile of sand. It wasn't even spread out into a court yet. Oh well, maybe tomorrow.

Weight = 181 lbs.

Monday 4.5 Miles

I ran today at lunch with Rick. We did the Burke Airport route. I'll probably do that a few times this week as they are setting up for the Grand Prix Of Cleveland, to be held this weekend. Rick works out in the morning with our company President, and since we are one of the main sponsors, Rick is getting free tickets to the race. Very cool!

Anyhow, back to today's run. It was very hot and muggy out. I was glad to be done.

I did make plans with Matt to start up speedwork again on Wednesday.

Weight = 179 lbs

Wednesday Easy 4 Miles

I ran 4 by myself today, the shorter Tremont route. There were 2 very interesting things to write about.

First, I ran past Quicken Loans Arena and saw all the decorations for the NBA Finals, including the huge statue of the Finals trophy! Very cool (even though my Cavs lost last night).

Second, I got stuck waiting for a drawbridge to lower. I was stopped for probably a little over 5 minutes. It was already slowly creeping down when I got there so I waited it out. It was kind of neat to watch.

Weight = 184 lbs

Monday 4.5 Miles Solo

I ran about 4 1/2 miles today at lunch. I expected there to be someone to run with from the fitness center but Rick hurt his leg and none of the other regulars were around. Maybe they are ashamed to show their face after Chris beat them at St. Malichi on Saturday.

So I ran a loop I've run many times, out past Cleveland Browns Stadium, behind the Great Lakes Science Center and the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame, onto a path that runs alongside Burke Lakefront Airport, and then back on the South Marginal past the muni lots and through public square.

No the muni lots don't actually have a webpage, that's a link to a Cleveland Browns fan forum that I found while checking to see if they did.

Weight = 189 lbs.