Pain

I think Clubber Lang was prophetic when his expectation for the fight was PAIN.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lSPNQ82Sq4Ea

And, having done this once before, I should have remembered how much I usually hurt when I run on concrete for more than a few miles.  I sure do remember now.

Today, I did my first extended training run outside, covering 8 miles at a leisurely 9 minute mile pace.  In fact, it was exactly 1:12:00 when I stopped my heart rate monitor (8miles x 9 minutes = 1:12:00 for you non-math people).  My wind was just fine.  The pace was just right.

But my ankles, achilles, left knee, and right groin are a tad pissed.  And my nipples are chafed.

My neighbor, known here as RetiredCop, is in his 60's and still run/walks in Ultras (longer than a marathon).  Just a couple weeks ago, he did a 31-mile trail event in Wisconsin.  He has had a knee replacement and refuses to run on concrete anymore.  We have a few dirt roads somewhat near us that he'll run up and down a few times.  Or he does trails over by Northville Downs racetrack.  I'm thinking he is on to something.

I came home from work a bit early and went out before dinner for the 8 mile loop around the Township.  Weather was perfect - overcast and 70 degrees.  Thanks to finally having the right shoes, (Thank you again, manager lady at Novi Running Fit!) no blisters.  My right groin (Yes, talking about my groin) has been very tight pretty much every time I've ran for the last several months.  No amount of stretching has helped so far.  Somewhere between miles 4 and 5 my ankles started aching.  Shortly thereafter, my left knee started aching. 

Oh, almost forgot my nipples. 

After 6 miles, I started to get a tingle in my nipples.  I should have expected this as this has been a recurring problem since I started running.  Going out once or twice a week for 3 or 4 miles each is no problem, but once I ramp up my mileage, that old familiar feeling comes back.

I still have some of these from my last Half:

 

I will not forget again.  Don't want to end up like this guy:

Now, the kids are in bed, I'm writing this, and self-medicating with a couple delicious Leinies.

Overall, I'm happy with the results today.  I'm encouraged by how my wind held up.  I easily could have kept going.  Working up the rest of the distance shouldn't be terribly hard.

I just have to deal with some moderate, nagging pain and not get injured.

Can't wait for my knee replacement!

Tomorrow, I'll take TheBoy and TheGirl to the gym and give TheWife the morning off.  I'll probably stick to the bike and do my lifting instead of hitting the treadmill.  No need to push too hard in the first week.

Thanks for reading.  If you could, please follow this blog and feel free to give me some feedback.  Remember, candor is kindness.

Have a great weekend!