Trying to Find the Rhythm

I am a few days removed from my 5000 opener at the Stanford Invitational. I'll try and not sugar coat it too much--the race was a disaster. Upon starting, I noticed that the pace did not feel comfortable. Don't get me wrong, if we were speeding around at a quick tempo, this is to be expected. Unfortunately, we were not. My first lap was covered somewhere in the 68 second range and I felt out of it. I decided to try and shrug it off and maybe my body would warm up somewhere around the middle. I came through in 4:26 and I still didn't feel good. This was then followed by an 8:50 split at 8 laps and my chest was burning, nose running, etc. I decided to call it a lap later and stepped off disappointed but not too down. I stayed on the infield and cheered on my younger brother as he ran to a big personal best. It was exciting to watch and I was very happy for him. While cooling down a little while later, I tried to rack my brain for reasons concerning my DNF. A few weeks prior, I had run a tactical 1500 in San Francisco where it was in the low 40s and raining steadily. All notions of a fast time went out the window when I stepped outside and felt the wrath of mother nature. The race was still solid, however, and I was able to pull out a close win. Following the effort, I cooled down and then left for a nearby trail to continue my workout. I had a 4 mile tempo scheduled and I felt awesome. I had no soreness from the race and it didn't even feel like I had laced up the spikes. In runner terms, the fitness was finally starting to shine through from all of the weeks of training. However, while driving back home, I could feel my throat and chest begin to bug me and knew that a sickness was coming on. I had spent too much time outside in the cold/rainy conditions and I was beginning to succumb to the elements. Later on that evening, I found I could not sleep from the heavy congestion clogging my nose and the pain in my chest. For the next week, these symptoms continued to bother me and I felt as if I would never get better. While I continued to tackle workouts, I never felt like myself and coughing up mucus was becoming a regularity. Finally, this past week I felt a little better but still not my best. A few days out from the race, I once again started to feel badly and silently cursed whoever was causing these annoyances (maybe it was the MAN ;) ). I don't usually feel amazing before races, and so I thought that after a gradual warm up, I may be able to salvage a decent effort. Upon the firing of the gun, though, I knew that it was a lost cause and just tried to gut it out for a while.

I never enjoy dropping out of races and I have now DNF'ed in 2 of my last 3 attempts. It has been discouraging to say the least but I am hoping that I am just hitting some bumps before everything smooths out. I will not give up on this track season and know that I'll find my stride eventually. It can be difficult because the most important invitational races are so close to one another this year and opportunities are slim to find qualifying races for the Olympic Trials. While out running this morning, I came to realize that I just need to relax. If things do not click within the next few weeks, it is ok. The end all be all can not be measured over such a small period of time. I have never been the kind of runner who excels with time trial based efforts. I prefer championship style races where it comes down to crucial decisions and not one person setting the tempo for all others. Anyways, I am sure I will come around eventually and hope to be running well in the near time frame.

Track Season

It has been quite a while since my last post. Things have been progressing nicely since Houston. After a week off and another week of very easy running I returned to doing some light workouts. It has been an up/down battle of feeling great and feeling like ass all mixed in together. Pretty interesting, eh? There would be some days where I would just feel so heavy and sore all over and then other days where I felt fine. Safe to say, I am experiencing more of the better days lately. I am excited to get things going for track and hope that this strength that I have built up over this last year will shine through. The first small test will come in one week's time in the form of a 3k race. I don't really have any goals other then to run a competitive race and put myself in a position to win. It should be a good event and I can not wait to get my legs moving at a faster tempo. The marathon training/racing was ok, but the true fun will occur over these next few months. There is nothing like the smooth rhythm of racing a 5k and just clicking off quick laps in succession. The goal is to get in PR shape and qualify for the USATF Olympic trials in June. Whether that is in the 5k or 10k will be determined in the coming months of training/racing. Good times ahead and I hope to blog more frequently.

A few more weeks to go...

Hey all. It has been a while since my last post and I thought I would post an update. The last 3-4 weeks have been a little tough for me running wise and I had no real desire to post anything of note in the blog. I was dealing with some strange foot issue, specifically around the inner ankle area, and lost my motivation for providing enlightening stories...haha. Anyways, it was a tough time as I went through a million thoughts in my head to figure out what the issue was. I switched shoes, iced like crazy, got some deep tissue massage, and searched the internet high and low for a solution. After viewing a few articles, I came to the conclusion that that I was suffering from some posterior tibial tendinitis. I wasn't sure how this had come about and it was a whole new level of pain just walking around. The area was completely swollen and I was worried that all these months of training had been done in vain. I backed off off the mileage and workouts --resorting to single runs to see if the ankle would calm down. It was frustrating to say the least but at least I never took a day off. There were a few times where the pain was so great that I wondered if I was doing damage to my leg/tendon...oh well. I've always had a fairly high pain threshold and just told myself that this little hitch would pass and I would be back on my way to some solid training. Finally, a little less then a week ago, I figured it out! Gil was dealing with some intense plantar fasciitis in the right foot and the source of the problem was revealed. I was stretching in the shower, as I sometimes do, and decided to try and stretch out my tendon. It hurt pretty bad as I stabilized myself on the wall and stretched my calf and then thrust my knee forward to get into the specific area. I had been told to let the area calm down before trying to stretch but it seemed as though I could have done this all along. I didn't feel any relief immediately, but the day after a longer marathon workout, I felt the difference. After completing the session, I found I could not walk correctly, a phenomenon that had become all too regular in the last few weeks. I did some intense stretches alter that day, though, and utilized a foam roller. The result, I could walk around with significant less pain the next day---success! Now, as I continue onward towards my big race in a few weeks, I find that I am enjoying running again and can't wait to toe the line. The daily painful runs had been taking a toll on my mind and I now find that I can run nearly pain free and am almost back to pre plantar issues. I am excited for this and know that injuries are a part of the game. I knew that I could not be blessed with a blemish free build up and glad that it was nothing much more serious. I will keep you all updated on the progress and wish everyone a happy new year!

Coming Together

This past weekend I had the longest run I have ever completed. It was a workout consisting of a slow first half followed by a gradual pick up the second. I felt pretty relaxed and strong throughout and was happy to see that my strength is coming along. I had no indication of fatigue or discomfort and finished off the run strong and full of energy. My fears for the marathon distance dropped a notch but the nervousness is still there. In a few weeks time, I will embark on a 26 mile journey through my mind, body and soul. I had no real plans of racing one but decided after my 1/2 marathon debut that I could take on another 13.1 miles. Ambitious, yes. Either way, it will end in success. The mere fact of taking on the new challenge and seeing it through to completion will provide justification in my mind. I am a few weeks away from being in training for a year and I am a whole different person as a result. I look back to that time in Dec 10' when I made the decision to get back into hard training and have been fairly happy with the outcome. Things started a little roughly as I tried to adjust to intense workouts and racing on the unforgiving track. Doubts ran high as I struggled to race against mediocre runners and produced sub par times. The big break came in the summer when I just started to feel great all of a sudden and awesome long runs/workouts followed. Something clicked and I began to gradually feel like my old self. The bounciness returned to my step and I felt that gliding sensation during workouts and runs. Now, when I think of that marathon looming around the corner I am just a little bit more confident in the fact that I can take it on successfully. I will cross that finish line a winner either way. It has been a difficult path to get to where I am at and I am grateful to my family and friends for sticking by my side and being patient as I try to live out the "runner" stage of my life. I am also appreciative that God has blessed me with few injuries along the way. I don't really throw religion around too much but I know a greater force has been watching over me and guiding me in the right direction--no matter what others may make of this. I can only hope that all of this sacrifice and dedication will be worth it. I guess that will all depend on one thing...myself.

It's the little things that make the difference

It seems like I am running so much lately. Marathon training is no joke and the last few months have seen me hit a lot of miles. On a run a few days ago, I remarked to my younger brother how I couldn't remember the last time I felt 100% good. There always seems to be some little nagging thing bugging me. It could be due to the fact that I am still adjusting to running everyday from my previous extended layoff. I feel as though these little aches and pains are my body warning me to take it easy and really work on my stretching, etc. It is true that I find myself getting a little lazy with stretching after runs but I quickly hop back into the routine when I feel something hurting. I mean, why not right? I've have everything from slight shin discomfort, achilles soreness, hamstring soreness and now some inner ankle soreness. I generally tend to think of myself as a pretty honest person and would rather people know of my tiny setbacks instead of keeping them to myself. It could be easy to just say "Yea, everything feels good and I am ready to roll" but it's also good to put the pains on the table as well. I have been blessed that I have not had a major setback since beginning this training cycle and I can only hope to continue this trend. I do wish I was running a few more miles in order to accustom myself to the beast that is the marathon but I need to be careful also. This Olympic Trials race will represent a breakthrough athletic performance and hopefully thrust me into the elite spotlight. However, it will also serve as an entrance exam of sorts into the lonely journey up and down city streets for those few hours in the morning. I am excited and pumped for the challenge!

2011 Silicon Valley Turkey Trot

Gil is back to racing the 5k baby!...kind of. This year's thanksgiving required me to battle against elite runners in San Jose before gaining the opportunity of some turkey gorging. Going into the event, I knew it wouldn't be a cake walk due to the marathon training I have been doing the last few months. However, I can honestly say that I did put forth my best effort on that day and ended up running a 13:57. This was very encouraging to me and shows me that I can still turn it over a little with all of the strength work I have been putting in. Honestly, last spring was tough for me as I could barely get through a 1500 on the track without being doubled over. It has nearly been 11 months since I made the decision to get back into running and I am already a world ahead of where I was then. The "normal" body I had at that time has been gradually transitioning into the elite, slimmer runner I am today.

The race was one of extremely high quality. The field assembled was very strong and resulted in many athletes recording strong performances in this fall affair. We got out to a decent start by hitting the first mile in 4:27. I thought that we would have been out significantly faster but no one wanted to lead. Following that split, one of the pre race favorites bolted ahead and warmed up the pace. I am not sure of their 2 mile split but I was around 8:55. At this stage I had realized that I wasn't having the greatest of days and decided that I would try to maintain my effort and prevent people from passing me. By the end of the race, I found myself in 8th position and a chest full of fire. I was happy to be back under 14 and another step closer to climbing the ranks of the elites. I had slightly been hindered by a chest cold, but hey, you need to be ready on the day. All in all, it was a solid day and I was able to munch on some good food later that evening. Next up for me is more consistent weeks of marathon training as I get closer to the start of the 2012 Olympic Trials. I will try to blog more frequently to chronicle the steep hill I am continuing to climb. At least I can see the top in the distance now 8).

San Jose Rock n Roll 1/2 marathon

Whew...I am pretty tired, but satisfied. I had a pretty good race today in San Jose and my legs have definitely gained some serious fatigue. I had been sick leading up to the event and the confidence was pretty low coming in. Following a low key competition in San Francisco a week ago, I went home only to find myself pretty sick. The next morning, I awoke to a fully stuffed nose and a chest feeling like I had some nails stuck in it. Over the next few days, I found I could not sleep because every time I laid my head back onto the pillow, my throat would itch up and I would launch into a coughing fit. Sound like a lot of fun, right? Well, starting Thursday night, I was able to finally get in some good sleep and I loaded up on some vitamin C. I generally shy away from taking medicine because I do not like the way it makes me feel and try to stick to liquids and rest. After a few days of rest, I was feeling better, but the confidence was still not there. I was pretty congested but the chest didn't hurt as much.

Yesterday, following my pre race jog and strides, I decided I would just go for it and see what would happen. I knew that the pace wouldn't be too intense and so a little sickness shouldn't be too hard to deal with. Upon arrival in San Jose, I picked up my number and then jumped into the warm up. While jogging, I tried to expel as much mucus as I could and clear my nasal passages. Once on the starting line I was focused on getting out there and putting in a good effort. The first mile forced me to make a tough decision--either run with the front pack, or back off and run with the other runners. I quickly decided I would try and close the gap and run with the leaders. They hit the first mile pretty quick but I noticed that they had slowed down a lot during the second. I gradually caught up to them and then settled in. Following the 5k mark, Meb took off and I then began to run with Bolota and another Kenyan athlete. B and I switched into our workout mode and began switching off in front of each other. I tried to get the Kenyan runner to help but he either didn't understand or did not want to help. B had to stop at around 7 miles because his leg was bothering him and then it was just me and the other dude. I immediately picked up the pace because we had been gradually slowing and I wanted to drop him. A little later, it was just me and the lonely road as Meb was pretty far ahead by that time. As I tired, I just tried to focus on the good workouts I had earlier on in the training cycle and maintain my form. I knew that I could be running quicker if I had someone around but that is life. The last few miles were a little rough and the cramp I had developed was bothering me. I finally made it in around 1:03 tired but happy with the effort. It was a really rough week and I was glad I was able to get out there and at least show that the training is paying off. All in all, it was a successful day and I know I still need to load up on some sleep to completely recover.