August 22-23rd RAGNAR

Leg#1

Started off in last place with at least a 5 minute gap behind the second to last runner. When I finally got the baton, took off, and really started pounding for first couple miles. Warm/humid + I was wearing a polo shirt with a black hat and tie. At about 3 miles, I caught a glimpse of the runners ahead of me and caught up to them shortly after. I was moving too fast and by 6 miles, I was ready to call it a day. A half mile later(leg was supposed to be only 7.5 miles), I learned that I shot past a turn at least 3 miles back. I lost a lot of momentum as I was already beat at this point and stopped to walk for a minute. From there on out, I basically would run a mile or two and then take a short walk break. I could feel my IT band start to irritate me, so I had to stretch it occassionally. Luckily, I caught up with some guy who was handing out water and drank that down almost immediately. The heat was pretty intense and I was slowing down at this point, but managed to make the entire distance.
13.5 miles

Leg #2
It must have been about 2 or 3 in the morning so I was a little tired as can be imagined. Took off @ a moderate pace so that the IT would be alright and was able to keep a good rhythm. Still felt beat from earlier run, but wanted to make a good run out of it. Got to the base of the hill and just started ascending. IT worried me a little bit, but overall it was alright. I could barely see the hill, but I could definitely feel it. Although, I did not realize it, I believe that the hill gradually rose for about a mile. However, the pace did not slow too much and when I got to the top it was all downhill from there. I was very worried about the IT band, but there was never any problems. I flew over the last 3 miles and cruised into the finish, nearly catching the runner ahead of me(I started off way behind anybody else).
8 miles

Leg #3
It was morning time and again, my legs were toast from the last two legs and nearly a marathon in total. I tried running hard to start off, but quads were pretty beat up at this point. The pace was not bad, but there was a hill at about 2 miles that made it tough. However, after the hill, it was all downhill and I was able to really get cruising. I was constantly worrying about the IT, but never any problems. Kept up good pace and was able to speed up as I came into the finish. My legs were absolutely wrecked, but I felt good now that I was done.
4.5 miles

Total Distance: 26 miles

August 20th

Ran w/Matt. Felt a little tired b4 run, but once we got going, I really started pushing. @ about halfway, I started to feel a little tired, but we kept pushing. With about 1/2 mile to go, I had to stop, Matt was pushing a little too hard for me. I jogged the rest of the way in, feeling pretty tired. Pace must have been near 6, possibly under for a few miles.

Total distance: 5 miles

August 18th

Met up w/Don, Travis, Matt, Nick, Jon, & Annie for a run around 10. I was pretty excited to run with everybody, but everybody was kinda messing around, which really screwed with my rhythm. We kept starting and stopping. @ mile 2, Matt & I split with the rest of the group to keep running. My IT kept bugging me and I had to stop a few times to stretch it out. We had planned on turning around @ 6 miles, but the run was so shitty that we decided to head back @ 5. I stopped a few more times to stetch it out, but a little after 9 miles, we both decided to stop running and just walk it in. One of the worst runs of my life, but we milked a little over 9 out of it.

total Distance: 9.4 miles

August 17th

I felt really good and wanted to run fast tonight. I started off the run @ a very solid pace, heading to Watterson. I looped around the building, still picking up speed, probably moving close to 6:00/mile. Around 4 1/2 miles, I slowed a bit, but managed to continue running. Felt IT pain around mile 6, but managed to finish the run strong.

Total distance: 6.9 miles

Did some workout, can't remember the details

August 15th

PM: Got together w/Travis for a run. We decided to start off slow and gradually increase the pace. The run was good, felt a little bored, getting in an easy rhythm was a bit strange for me. The run felt good and we picked up the pace over last few miles. Farthest run since the shinsplints. However, there was no major pain to deal with.

Afterwards, we went over to the track where we did our workouts.

50 pushups
100, 75, 75 x 2
45 pushups

Total Distance: 8.3 miles

August 14th

Ran loop around apartment @ moderate pace. IT starting to act up again

total distance: 4.3 miles

August 13th

PM: Run @ LRC loop later on.

Total Distance: 4.8 miles

August 12th

No running

August 11th

AM: 50, 45 pushups
crunches: 100, 75, 75 x 2

PM: At night took off for a little run. Had knee pain for first mile in both knees, but soon went away. Felt FAST. I was moving real fast and must have been close to 6 minute miles(maybe faster?). Very happy with pace, ran most on grass. About halfway, I was able to speed up, felt incredible!

Hard finish, couldn't quite keep pace over last half mile, but very happy with run. No shin pain.

Total Distance: 4.25 miles

August 10th

Nothing, didn't do a thing. Had major headache so laid around like a bum all day long. Plus wanted to take today off anyways for the shin.

August 9th

Ran @ ISU all on grass. Felt good, started off a little fast so was tired quickly, but still kept good pace. Slight shin pain, but was gone after a little while.

Total Distance: 4.25 miles

pushups: 50, 45
crunches: 100, 75, 75 x 2

August 8th

Took today off running to ensure complete recovery. Slight pain when walking , but not too bad overall.

Pushups: 50, 45
100, 75, 75 x 2

August 7th

Had my parents drop me off at swimming pool and decided to run back to cabins. Got a little lost, but managed to find my way. Felt good, a little tired, especially with the hills + humidity, but overall was good. Slight shin pain at end of run, but feel that I took correct number of days off for injury. I'm back in business!

Total Distance: 4.5 miles

100, 75, 75 crunches x 2
pushups: 50, 45

August 2nd - 6th

Took 5 days off in a row. On the 2nd, it hurt just to walk. Pain took a while to fully go away, hurt especially while walking up and down stairs. Also noticed that I was exhausted. That took a few days to go away. I think I was overtraining for a little while and the injury/exhaustion were warning signs. By the 5th, I had energy back, but still pain. Wanted to make sure there were no problems with recovery so I took my time.

Changed routine a little bit. Instead of doing 4 sets of pushups, I did one set of 50, would do abs, and afterwards would do another 45. Did this just about every day. Felt easier w/better workout.

Also, just did 2 sets of 100, 75, 75. Confident that this is better, plus is easier

August 1st

Felt shin pain before run, but nothing unusual from last week, not too worried. Planned 20 miler on hills next day.

In Tennessee, ran about 2 miles b4 shin pain got bad. Ended up limping in, still running. Iced afterwards 2 or 3 times. Might have to skip 20 miler tomorrow.

Total Distance: 3.5 miles