**UPDATE - SEVERE INJURY**

Hi Everyone,
As sad as it makes me feel to write this update, I feel it is only fair that I continue updating my blog when there is bad news. It wouldn't be right to only put in all the "good" stuff. So here goes....

Obviously (per my previous entry), I got hurt at the end of last week. My running doctor diagnosed it as Posterior Tibula Tendonitis (shin splint), which is very common. What is NOT common however, is where my tendonitis has appeared. The inflammation is on the inside of my left ankle (right around the bone, yet above the heel) and continues into the arch of my foot. Basically, it is where the "shin splint" tendon attaches to the bottom of my foot. The doctor has explained to me that the only thing that helps is heat, taping and rest.

So I did not run all week. At all. And I was a real pecker to those who love me. I don't think it was intentional (at least I hope not)...but I have really been on edge. My acupuncturist has REALLY helped to ground me. We have been communicating via email almost daily, and today instead of my scheduled long run I did one hour of "pool running" to help my foot, then followed that with a 1.5 hour acupuncture session. When it was all over, my foot REALLY REALLY REALLY hurt. I got in the car and had to sit for a second because it was throbbing. But I came home, got some food, took a nap and I am doing a little better now.

This next week is really going to be a challenge. I am going to have to really pace myself and not push too hard. My thought is that Monday night I am going to go for a 1 mile walk during the day, then do a 20 minute elliptical (zero foot impact). The next day I will re-evaluate and see how I feel. Truthfully, my friends and family have been very supportive and have been really doing everything possible to keep me in a positive mood - but I am scared. Never in my life have I put forth this much effort, and I really feel like I have failed everyone (including myself). This next week will be important. There are only 5 weeks left until Marathon Day and I HAVE to get back into training shap ASAP. If I cannot get at LEAST a nice healthy 5 or 6 mile run in by the end of this next week, I will be going into panic mode.

No dedications for this week. Just alot of medicine, alot of hopes, alot of dreams, alot of prayers.

Wish me luck everyone....

Bill

**APRIL 19th UPDATE** WEEK #11 COMPLETED

Hi Campers...

Well, week 11 came to a somewhat non-triumphant end. On Thursdays run I ran a downhill section a little harder than I normally do, and as a result I have developed some serious pain in my left ankle. I would have to say that this is the most serious injury of all, and it affected my run today (Saturday) pretty intensely. This is not your run of the mill "wow, my ankle is tight maybe I should keep an eye on it" injury. This is a "stop running, start screaming in agonizing pain because someone just stabbed your foot with a bowie knife" pain. Sharp, localized...VERY acute pain with NO SWELLING associated with it. I cannot figure that one out.

So all of that being said, I pressed on through Saturday's run. The first 10-11 miles were just fine. My ankle was tight, but not a problem. At about mile 12/13, it became VERY VERY VERY painful and I had to stop running and start walking. I did this a couple times over the final 4 miles, but there is some good news mixed into all this mess. 1) I did not run a flat 16 mile run today. I ran 17 miles with 2 miles of hills mixed in to simulate the marathon. It was a very satisfying "blue collar" run that despite the pain and the injury, once again, I finished. 2) The final 1/4 mile of the run I really did a gut check and cranked it up a notch. Nice long strides, finishing very quickly. So that let me know I still had some in the tank which is good.

As far as the injury goes, my plan is to skip Mondays short run and do some pool therapy instead. I will be icing it, using Ibuprofen and taking it easy Sun-Mon and Tues. If three days rest and recovery methods do not work, I will be contacting my running doctor and acupuncturist for some emergency intervention. The fact that there is no swelling is encouraging, and I think it is simply a small injury that needs rest to repair itself. If it wasnt, I could not have run 17 miles today. Simple as that.

So todays run was ok. 17 miles in 3:38:39 for a 12:51/mile average. That was with hills, walking AND an injury so I feel just fine with it.

This next week will be NO HILLS, a 8 mile run-walk, a 5 mile run-walk and very mild 16 miler next Sat. Total mileage will actually go down to 29, but that should be just fine and I am confident that I will be fine by weeks end. Only 3 more weeks of training and then I start tapering off.....

Mileage dedications for this week:

Mile Marker #14 - Cordell (my best friend and running buddy. I haven't got the words)
Mile Marker #15 - The Four Horseman. (no comment lol)

**UPDATE - APRIL 13TH 2008** WEEK #10 COMPLETED

Hello everyone. I would like to start off this weeks summary with a quick defninition.

Pain (from Ancient Greek ποινή - poine) is the unpleasant sensory and emotional experience an individual has when they perceive actual or potential tissue damage to their body.

Yes...that is correct. PAIN!!! So all week I was trying really hard to recover from last weeks 15 mile run. Each run I got a little bit better...but when Saturday came I knew that I was not fully recovered yet. I realize that is a VERY VERY negative attitude and I really do need to work on that this week. Now throw in the fact that a Santa Ana hit San Diego this weekend, complete with high winds and 90-100 degree heat....you have all the ingredients for a horrible run.

Well, Monday-Wednesday and Thursday's runs weren't that great...but they were ok and I finished them. Saturday started off pretty painful and I actually had one moment of positive energy about halfway through lap #2. But I became very dehyrated and ended up walking the final 3/4 mile of the 16 miles. I do feel a little bad about it, because quite honestly I probably could have finished...but as I was trying to push I simply felt something was happening with my body that was a bad thing. Hard to describe...but it was a hydration/cramping/injury feeling that I felt coming on, and I had about a 10 second window to make a decision (literally)...so I shut it down and walked. I am still proud of myself for finishing the 16 miles. My final time was 3:25:58 for a 12:52/mi average. As I have said the past few weeks - I am shooting for a 12 min./mile average. This run was well above that, but I feel fortunate to have completed the run injury free. PLUS - A BONUS - Today is Sunday and I am feeling fully hydrated and wonderful. That is always a plus.

No real pain to speak of this week - just the typical right kneecap and right hip. I have acupuncture this week so I will fill in my "sinsei". I also attended the 1st Annual Running Expo at my running center and got some GREAT info on the marathon course and some additional tips on warming up/stretching muscles. I will be doing that as well. In addition hydration - these long runs simply cannot be done with just my fuel belt. I need more than that (especially in the first few miles of the run). I checked with my new pals at the running center and they told me to load up on more fluid replacement drink during the front end of my run, and carry a bottle in my hand...because once I FEEL dehyrated........its too late. (I think I found that out the hard way).

All in all - a hard week that was completed anyway in a lot of pain. 30 miles in the books.

This next week will be 4 miles Mon, 7 miles Wed, 5 miles Thu with another 16 miler next Saturday at the same spot. Total mileage = 32 This next week the focus will be on hydration and nutrition. REALLY HARDCORE FOCUS too.

Mileage Dedications = Mile 12 (Dave - for always being there), Mile 13 (Marnie - for the tough love only an older sister can dish out)

*UPDATE (SORRY ITS LATE)*

Hello Campers,
My apologies for the late update on the blog...Saturday was my birthday (34) and we were busy the rest of the weekend cleaning and doing budget stuff. There is good news and bad news:

Week #9 completed - now starting #10.

Bad news = I am older now. 34 years. :-)

Good news = On my 34th birthday, I ran 15 miles in the fastest time I have run in 26 weeks. BOOYA!!

Early in the week, I did some more electro-stimulation of my knees with my acupuncturist. I am not really sure if that was the cause or not, but Wed and Thurs my legs were exhausted. I ran 6 miles Wednesday, but skipped my Thursday run. In the end, with my 15 miler on Saturday...I totaled 21 miles for the week. A far cry from the 30 I am scheduled for this week, but I will be ok.

My Saturday run was unbelievable. I will never forget it. It was my birthday, my running buddy met me up there and we started the run together. (Brace yourself)....at the Carlsbad 1/2 Marathon, I ran 13.1 miles in 2 hours 42 min. Saturday I ran 15 miles in 2:39:41 for a BLISTERING pace of 10:39/mi. I was tired when I was done, and my right knee was a bit sore...but that is to be expected. Everything held up beautifully - hips, knees, glutes....you name it, they performed well. There was some slight tightening in my glutes and knees at about mile 12, but nothing that could not be fought through. All in all, a very spiritual experience. I believe that is the only word to describe it.

This week!! 4 miles(Mon), 6 miles(Wed), 4 miles(Thu) and then 16 miles on Saturday. 30 miles total for the week.

Mileage dedications for this week: Mile #5 = Mom and Dad for their love and support. Mile #8=Landis and Ana for helping me to become more cultured in my appreciation of music. My playlist would suck if not for them. :-)