Monday, August 1, 2011

So Far So Good ...

I passed 1,700 miles for the year this weekend and with the exception of a few typical aches & pains, a couple of minor bouts with tendinitis, and 3 black toe nails ... (yes 3 - the 2nd of which peeled off in one whole piece after a rainy run this weekend) ... I feel great!!!  I really try to keep my socks lose and my shoes about a size bigger than I wear normally, but my long pointy toes seem to take a beating during my runs.  Over the years I've had 5 black toe nails all together, two on each foot.  Initially they hurt a little, but eventually they just fall off pain free ...  no biggie!
I really am hygienically sound ... bad lighting made my toes look dirty - sorry!
And this weekend was a great weekend!  I got 22 miles in on Saturday during an awesome rain storm (sorry Texas, I know it hasn't rained down there in like 19 months).  Then on Sunday, I followed it up with another good run of 12 miles at 84 degrees & 81% humidity.  Both runs were only about 8:00/pace, but considering the mileage and the heat - I felt really good about it!  Today was just a slow 10 mile recovery.

Does anyone else HATE recovery runs??? I've come to realize they are verrrrry necessary, but they are sooooo slow and boring.  For me, running is much more enjoyable if I have a workout I'm trying to get through.  It makes the time go by faster and gives me a much better sense of accomplishment when I'm done.  Just curious?

Hopefully I'll keep chuggin' away with good health!  I've been very fortunate so far ... but not "lucky", mind you.  I work really hard at staying healthy with strength training, good nutrition, and continuous stretching ... but then again I know I'm blessed to have never faced a serious injury.  Hope your week is going well!   Stay healthy, and ...
... be great today!

23 comments:

  1. Boy that is a lot of miles and we are only in the 8th month. I have that same problem with my toe nails falling off. It happens to be the same toe. I to try to get a size bigger, but now I'm getting blisters or callusous on those toes. I quit trying to figure it all out and just go with the flow. Here is to your good health.

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  2. way to push through the heat and humidity! 8:00 miles are great all things considered.
    I hate recovery miles and have never gotten used to doing them. One of these days...

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  3. Toenails are a little unnecessary for runners. And so are boobs!

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  4. Can I come and just put my hand on your foot for the sake of osmosis? I need some good running luck this year but at the same time don't want to give you my shingles either :)

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  5. Char - HA!

    Coy - OUCH ... I've had shingles, can you get them again?

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  6. Toenails are overrated! LOL....

    I enjoy reading your blog. It's very inspiring.

    Keep up the good work!

    - JR

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  7. I miss your black toenails sweetie :).....not really, but I miss you!

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  8. I just had a toenail fall off. I just look at it as a testament that I am seriously running again, and, actually, it doesn't bother me one bit. Maybe it's my inner laziness talking, but I like recovery runs. I use those to remember why I enjoy running so much.

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  9. ha toe problems...same here.
    and I run a lot less than you!
    I get it all now it is bloody blisters...it sucks...I tape one the one next to it gets a blister because of the tape..a vicious cycle...bigger shoes...maybe i should try that!

    recovery: I hate it but I do it. feels like a waste of time to me..makes my legs feel super heavy.. I prefer speedwork days to recovery days and dont ask me about taper...I hate that also

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  10. Glad to see I'm not the only one with toe nails always in various colors...if they are present at all. Like your's mine is never really sore. I don't do specific type workouts. I will call a run after a hard race or workout recovery but actually I just run all my runs according to how I feel and just go for the planned distance. I often leave my watch at home and this is the best way to do recovery runs. Just feel your pace.

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  11. "toenails and running" is what leads most people to my blog for some reason... weird. I have actually never done a recovery run after my long runs. I am going to have to check that out and see if it helps.

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  12. I am totally with you I HATE recovery runs. Infact I'm not sure I've actually even figured them out yet. I need to find slower friends to run them with. I will start out slow and by the end I'll think I'm still running slow but bust out a 7 min pace. gah!

    Awesome stats so far btw. Good for you for staying healthy!

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  13. Glad to see to have something manly on TV like sports.

    I've never had my toenails turn black and fall off. I might welcome that if I could trade it for your speed.

    Not a fan of that mandatory recovery run. I'd prefer to feel rested and run fast.

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  14. Congrats on so many miles already! You run probably the most miles of anyone that I follow, with the exception of maybe EMZ, lol

    And that pic of your toenails is a little unnecessary!

    I'm not a big fan of recovery runs, they seem boring to me, and I always seem to want to push the pace during them.

    And after hearing about your workout routine, it doesn't surprise me that you haven't been seriously injured - your routine is legit!

    Yea, for the stick, in talking to more people it seems like most people don't use it on their IT band, but on other muscles.

    Like 2Slow, nice to see MLB network on TV!

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  15. 34 miles is two days!! Know you know I freaking love that!!
    Awesome job!!

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  16. I dig recovery miles--lower pressure. But I also like a good hard one--the time goes faster and suddenly you're done!

    I have double black toenails right now. One of them really hurts--I'm hoping it will fall off soon.

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  17. Awesome mileage!! I used to hate recovery runs and now they are my favorite. So relaxed and easy...perfect for taking the dog along for a couple miles.

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  18. Wow. That's A LOT of miles. Being a woman, I simply paint my toenails. I had a problem though when then the toenails were actually missing. Congrats on the miles!

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  19. Yay for long toes! I have them too. :) I'm not nearly as brave as you, though... There will be no photographic evidence.

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  20. Okay so I thought you meant biking or something and then I remembered you are a crazy runner! :) Great job with all the miles, I'm impressed!

    I hate recovery runs. They should be named "feel like crap" runs. That's why I bike and swim!

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  21. Yeah, sometimes recovery runs are boring, but sometimes I like them because there's no pressure to run at a certain pace. Goes both ways for me. Yay for 1700 miles!

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  22. My mind hates recovery runs but my legs LOVE them. Haha! I hope I don't end up with your toe nail problem... But I have your feet so I probably will. Love you, Daddy!

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  23. Thank you for posting such a useful, impressive and a wicked article./Wow.. looking good!
    Good health

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