Frustrations

I continue, in spite of my "Death March" to gain weight. I never feel like exercising in the AM and my afternoons and evenings have been too busy to go for it. Something has to change! I guess its me.

I have been thinking of doing a few weeks of Dr. Atkins, or perhaps a diet I have used before, "The Dave Diet"

No sugar.
Lower fat.
Reduced starches.
No junk food.

I am getting to the point where I can't get out of chairs easily. I cannot do much of anything!

Finished!

I was able to complete the Bataan Memorial Death March on Sunday, March 30. It took me around 11 and a half hours. It was a brutally hot day, with 30+ mile per hour winds. The first half of the race is generally uphill, (1500 foot climb) and this year it was into the wind. I was ready to quit at the 14 mile mark, just after topping the mountain. I decided to keep going downhill, got a bit of a second wind (downhill, wind at back helped). By the time I got to the dreaded sandpit, I was too close to the end to quit. I hobbled in and crossed the finish line.

It is now Wednesday. I am back at work. My feet still hurt but I am recovering.

A New Goal

I have a new goal. I am going to El Paso this week to do the Death March, but I have made peace with the fact that I am not going to finish. I did a 10 mile walk/jog Thursday, and it was pretty clear that I didn't have 16 miles of energy left.

Why am I going?

1) I love El Paso and the White Sands area. I fell in love with it last year.

2) Hanging out with Tommy Duncan and his dad is never boring - crazy sometimes, but never boring.

3) The Death March last year was one of the most inspirational things I ever took part in.


My plan:

1) To go as far as I can.

2) NOT to kill myself. I am not a hero.

My new goal:

Last year, I finished the race and Tommy dropped out at around the 16 mile mark. I figure if I can get past his 16 mile mark before I drop out, I will still have the 2 year bragging rights.

Is that noble? NO.
Does it make any real sense? NO.

But it is more realistic than planning to finish.

With Lowered Expectations,

Dave

Hope

I got out and ran 6 miles yesterday (ran 5, walked 1). I still am not sure how I'm going to get up to 26 in 6 weeks, but I am going to try.

My knee gave me very little trouble during the run, but is very sore today. That seems to be the pattern. Run...sore knee...rest 3 days...run again.

right now, though, the trend is up. The knee seems to be getting better. I am guessing that losing 75 pounds wouldn't hurt it much.

I HAVE A QUESTION: If anyone reads this who is more modern on these things, please respond.

Years ago, when I was a slightly more competitive runner, Runner's World magazine had an article about running with injuries. Here was their rule of thumb: If the injury gets better or goes away when you run, after a mile or so, it is safe to run on it. If it gets worse when you run, you need to quit and rest it. If you limp at all when you run, rest. I have used this rule over the years, to pretty good effect.

But I am wondering if this rule is still advocated among trainers and others. Anyone know?

A Mother's Prayer

Evidently my mom is going to pray that my knee will go out so I can't run (walk?) the Death March. It seems to be working. I went 2 miles last night, then had to quit because of my knee. But, surprisingly, it feels much better today. Maybe she hasn't had her quiet time yet.

I hope to get in a run tonight. But, my son Ben won a state championship (Critic's Banner they call it) in musical theatre last Saturday and they are performing it at the high school music concert tonight. So, I don't know if I will get the time. We will see.

A Good Week

I am back to running and training. I ran 2 miles Monday, 2 more Tuesday, and 4.5 miles Friday. My knee doesn't hurt much while I run, but the day after - aaarrrggghhh!!! Today, I am not walking well.

It was good to get back to running.

So, here's the deal. No one tell my Mom. Tommy Duncan is bugging me to go back to the death march, which will be March 30, in El Paso, TX. It is the most inspirational (and difficult) thing I have ever done. I would like to go, but I am going to have to train hard and faithfully.

I have found that when I train faithfully, my marathon conditioning comes back pretty quickly. I am heavier and slower this year.

Here's the plan.

I need to get an 8-10 miler in by the end of February.
I need to get a 15-18 miler in by March 15.
I need to run 3-4 times a week every week up until Easter.

I cannot get another injury that requires rest.
I cannot get sick again.
I cannot get lazy again.
If it all goes well, I will give the Death March a try.

Again, just don't tell Mom!

I think I am going to die fat

I am very discouraged. It has been one thing after the other. Back problems, headaches, medicinal reactions, a knee problem, then the flu (actually a different virus, but felt the same). Since I started the blog I have gained 10 pounds.

I still want to do this, but my body just will not cooperate. I think I am going to die obese - and probably young.