Running Man jscmorrow

Now of course the title of my post is meant with some humor.  I decided to write on this topic because of a nagging injury I have, that I will probably have for life, but it is what you do with it that matters.

 In April 2004 I hurt my lower back on my job.  Through therapy and other help, my back hasn’t gotten better, but worse.  I do not write this in any way to complain, but to put perspective (mostly, if not totally for my benefit) on an injury.  Yesterday as I sat at home after leaving work, contemplating a little on if I’d ever be able to race, play sports, etc. with my back, my wife through probably unforseen wisdom, made a couple jokes about my complaining.  I guess I was talking a little too much about the pain and not being able to do anything. 

 My complaining, and I’ll be the first to admit, was too much!  So what if I have a bad back, what does that matter?  I have the blessing of at least being able to use my back.  I feel very arrogant right now that I would even complain about my injury, as there are those whose injuries far exceed mine, but don’t utter a word of complaint! 

The point of my post I guess is to hopefully help myself and others to realize things can always, always, always be worse, and attitude is the best medicine!  So if you are feeling down, injured, or whatever it may be, remember my motto: “hope for the best, then make it happen!” and just get up and do what you can.

With the race in three days, and my bad back nagging me the last few days, I had a good workout at lunch with a pretty good ride. 

Workout:

• Type: Cycle
• Date: 04/30/2008
• Time: 12:30:00
• Total Time: 00:40:00.00
• Distance: 13 miles
• Average Speed: 19.5 mph

Workout:

• Type: Cycle
• Date: 04/28/2008
• Time: 11:45:00
• Total Time: 00:40:00.00
• Distance: 12.2 miles
• Average Speed: 18.3 mph

This was a bike first (6 miles) then run (4 miles).

 Time was pretty good considering the head wind on the bike and the uphill climb while riding.  The bad news came from my back.  I have a bad lower back and have been almost completely down the last two days.  With a race Saturday, I am hoping it comes back up.

Workout:

• Type: Run
• Date: 04/26/2008
• Time: 12:50:00
• Total Time: 00:37:00.00
• Distance: 4 miles
• Average Pace: 9:14.7/mile

W/ 5 minute warm up

Workout:

• Type: Run
• Date: 04/25/2008
• Time: 05:15:00
• Total Time: 00:42:00.00
• Distance: 4 miles
• Average Pace: 10:30.47/mile

20 min run

 22 min cycle

Workout:

• Type: Run
• Date: 04/24/2008
• Time: 12:30:00
• Total Time: 00:21:00.00
• Max Heart rate: 158
• Distance: 2.3 miles
• Average Pace: 9:07.95/mile

During my workout today I contemplated on this subject a little and it comes about from the doubters.   I don’t mean to demean anyone with this post because I feel they just haven’t either: 1. experienced the joy of exercise or 2. having educated themselves enough on the subject. 

People on this board sometimes are described as compulsive, obsessed, extreme, etc…Granted, I don’t mean comments on this board say that because I feel we all are in the boat to help others succeed, I mean the every present feelings of the doubters.  I feel if they would put forth a little more effort they would see the benefits, and almost immediate benefits, of changing your life.

Instead of being a doubter today I want to say congrats to all on this board who are making the effort to change and improve their lives.  Keep it up!  Success isn’t measured instantly, it isn’t measured in dollars in this case, but it is measured by our individual effort to arrive at excellence.  Whenever you doubt yourself or others put you down, remember this quote by Dave McGillivray:

“We should live our dreams and know that people who say it cannot be done should not interrupt those who are doing it.”

Workout:

• Type: Strength Training
• Date: 04/23/2008
• Time: 12:00:00
• Total Time: 00:45:00.00

With a 5 minute warm up, I was happy with the workout pace.  Unfortunately I might have strained my right calf….time to rest it a bit!!

Workout:

• Type: Run
• Date: 04/22/2008
• Time: 05:08:00
• Total Time: 00:38:00.00
• Distance: 4 miles
• Average Pace: 9:29.62/mile

Workout:

• Type: Cycle
• Date: 04/21/2008
• Time: 11:47:05
• Total Time: 00:40:00.00
• Average Heart rate: 150
• Max Heart rate: 155
• Distance: 13.2 miles
• Average Speed: 19.8 mph
• Max Speed: 24 mph