"Smelling the Roses"

So after 2 weeks of NO running because of my ankle injury, I was getting a little stir crazy doing everything thing else in the gym besides running.

So with some snow on the ground over the weekend. I strapped on a pair, my snowshoes that is, a headed out to the trail.

I resisted the urge to run and waved at the people who ran by me. I guess it was time to smell the flowers for a change, or this case watch the snow covered trees. Spotted some deer running around and a clan of them just sitting around. Then one runner passed by and warned me to watch out for a Hawk, OKAY, that is something a guy who really can't move quickly right now wants to hear. But 2 hours, 6 miles, and NO hawk sighting, I was out there doing something.

Then Sunday, my ankle was feeling better so I decided to try a jog/walk routine in my snowshoes. Not to bad, I think with all the snow on the ground, it gave me a level surface I could at least mimic some sort of running form out there on the trail.

Another 9.5 miles later, it felt good to at least jog a little bit with not to much discomfort, in snowshoes nonetheless.

No results from my ankle X-ray yet. Just thinking or mostly hoping it is just a sprained ankle. It does not hurt that much right now, so I'm just taking some slow miles on the treadmill wearing an ankle brace.

So I'm going to keep my race schedule for now and take it week by week.

First up a 50k in two weeks. HooRahh.

"Tell me something I don't know"

I finally went to go see the doctor today to take a look at my ankle today. Tell the doc it hurts here and get inflammation here.

Doc ~ It's probably Achilles Tendinitis, that is my diagnosis.

Bubba ~ but Doc it hurts more here.

Doc ~ Okay change my diagnosis to a "Ankle Sprain".

Bubba ~ worried about a stress fracture.

Doc ~ Okay, you can get an X-ray, if it still hurts in two weeks, get a follow up X-ray to see if there really is a stress fracture. For now "R.I.C.E. ~ rest, ice, compression, and elevation." Start running slowly when it does not hurt anymore.

Okay, I knew all of this before I saw her. Now, Please tell me something I don't know. OHH, BROTHER!!

So that is my current running status. But not depressed about it. Really what can I do about it. What's done is done!

I'm determined not to just sit on the coach and eat all of my favorite cheese danishes. Not a bad idea though. So more bike sessions, stair master, and the dreaded elliptical trainer. It actually does not hurt when I do that stuff. But after one week into it, it is starting to drive me a little crazy.

I'm still hopeful to show up at the starting line on April 12Th for my 1st 100 miler. At least give it a shot anyway.

"But Whatever Happens, I Will RUN." ~ 2 Samuel 18:23

If not, plan B will take into effect, and just do the 50 mile option, tackle some other 100 miler in the area in June.. The Kettle Moraine 100 or Mohican 100 might be the plan B option for now.

But at least I found this killer treadmill at my health club. The Nordic Track incline trainer, this gadget provides an 0% to 50% incline range. I actually got up to walking 45% before I had to hold on the something. Dang cool machine.

"13"

13 weeks until my 100 miler and counting..

Not sure my countdown has been particular lucky so far.

It's been up and down training for the past 3weeks. I have been only to squeak out 52, 40, and 49 miles the past weeks. Not close where I want to be right now.This Chronic ankle'itis is starting to really put a downer in my training and interfering with my so called "happy ultra place."

Since I'm self diagnosing myself I probably sprained my ankle previously and has trudged through it by taking days off and running again. I think leading to"Chronic Ankle Instability."

Am I worried? Hard to say, more pissed than anything else that my body is not giving me a healthy week so far. But trying to keep a "can do" attitude.

"Worry never robs tomorrow of its sorrow; it only robs today of its strength." ~ A.J. Cronin

They saw it is 90% mental right?

But YES I know, R.I.C.E. and listen to you body. So I will in my own way this week and cross train for the rest of the week by doing some non-impact activities like cycling and swimming. Then hopefully off to the trails once again this weekend.

It's going to be cold one thou this weekend:

Saturday ~Windy. Partly sunny. Very cold. Highs 6 to 10 above.

Sunday ~ Partly cloudy. Highs 15 to 19.

Ohh weee, actually a warm up on Sunday. But at least I will have have one or two Triathlon club homies to keep me company in the frozen tundra.

"Dang, I'm getting Old"

I was actually in Florida over the weekend attending my nieces debutant/18 yr birthday party.

Felt like an old man watching these teenagers doing crazy things on the dance floor to hip-hop music.

I know If I would take them out on the trails for a long run, I think most of them would pass out.

But me trying to do this dance step called a "SUPERMAN" I really thought I would hurt myself trying to dance like that, so I just sat in my seat feeling like an old man.

At least I could dance with my daughter and keep up with her moves. It was the 1st time I got to dance with her at a party. Made me think about alot of things and how she is growing up so fast, but I think I still have a few more years left until she totally ditches me during a party to hangout with her cooler teenage friends. So these moments I will cherish.

On the running end, time is flying by, 14 weeks left until the 100 mile big show. Hopefully get some long trail runs in this weekend. No Ultra races around the area until February, Boohoo ~ it does make running for a long time so much easier.

Then finally the x-mas lights and x-mas tree have been put away and the holiday distractions are behind me now. But the holiday eating is a hard habit to break, to many leftover cookies and deserts lying around the house these days to pile up the calories.

I also do wonder of late, what was I thinking, trying to get ready within 16 weeks for this 24+ hour race? But what the hell, I'm entered so I plan to be at the starting line that day.

"A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step." ~ Lao-tzu

Let the "stepping" begin, then again I think that is a dance move as well?

"2007 Stats"

I'm a little late with my 2007 wrap up, but here it goes anyway.

Training:

Running ~ which includes road, trail, treadmill, and racing miles some how totaled to 1,765.80 miles.

Cycling ~ which included road, races, computrainer, stationary bike, and little bit of Mountain biking miles some how ended up totaling 3,093.17 miles.

Swimming ~ 105.96 miles.

Major Races:

3 ~ 50K's (UltraMarathons)
3 ~ 50 milers (UltraMarathons)
1 IronMan Triathlon
1 Chicago Marathon Race Meltdown

A little over 623 hours of racing and training (how my wife put up with all of this, I will never know)

Not sure how it compares to 2006, since each year is a new year for me, as these 2007 figures will be soon be forgotten as well.

But some of 2007 will not be forgotten.

Doing my 1st 50k trail race, my 1st 50 mile trail race, and ending up with a huge PR at IronMan Wisconsin this year.

Also the memories of training with my teammates and the bloggers I've met this year will never be forgotten as well.

So for 2008, I love doing things different every year to test myself and test my limits. But my family needs more of my time as well. So besides from my planned 100 mile jaunt through the woods in 15 weeks, the rest of the race year will be what it will be. I just plan to have fun doing it and hopefully be a little faster at whatever race I enter.

Here's to new adventures in 2008!!
1st ever snowshoe run, dang it was cold, but fun!