Shingle Shot Reaction and More

Stopped by the pharmacy last Thursday, received my injection and a warning about possible side effects. My arm ached pretty bad, but nothing life-hampering. But Friday I was tagged with a sharp headache, flu-like symptoms and fatigue. Most of the day was spent rising to go pee, then returning to bed for more restless sleep. Saturday, though better, still found me a bit down.

Today, I'm just fine. But losing another two running days pushed me over a ledge.  Despite my glittering optimism from a week ago, I'm passing on the LA Marathon.

The "quitting stench" is absent this time. Too little distance running the last five weeks left me feeling that I'd be trashing my bodyfor another medal. I 'm fat with running medals, but not years left in which to run.

A load was lifted when I withdrew. I've been training since September for the Pasadena Half, then jumped into training for the full. I over-trained for the half and under-trained for the full.  Now I've got a little time to rest and plan my new marathon move. (Sub-five, is what I'm thinking.)

So that's that. I learned a lot this go around and I'm looking forward to easing back into running once again, grateful I still can

Maudlin Marathon Update

 

 Last week, I bemoaned the obstacles placed between myself and marathon training. Well, the most difficult is past. Now all that remains to be seen is whether I waited too long, ran too far, in too long a time and tired out my legs.

Friday, I completed 17.5 miles. That is the farthest I'll venture in training. With the race less than two weeks off, I'm now in my taper phase, lowering long run and weekly mileage and preparing mentally for 26.2. The temperature was cool and windy, perfect for a 10k. Unfortunately, I ran several hours and was chilled to the bone. Possibly, I'll face these conditions again on race day.

And while my finishing time may not glitter, I overcame one of the worst cases of the quits in 46 years. That's when I under-trained for the Chicago Marathon, then blew it off. And while I eventually ran Chicago, the stench of quitting lingered long after the event. 

So I made myself run on Friday. Having done so, there's no reason not to complete the LA Marathon. Damn the street sweepters!

More soon. 👈

Maudlin Marathon Musings

Illness Takes Its Toll 

Ten days of coughing and a slight fever hacked into my training. I ran yesterday and found myself considerably slower than before Father Sickness gripped me in his long mucousy fingers. Only 18 days remain before the marathon and I've yet to complete my longest run. I should be tapering now and not attempting to squeeze in 16 miles this week, then 12 next week, then into race week. 

I believe I'll attempt the 16 and see how much time it takes. There's a middle ground between a leisurely pace and huffing and puffing to avoid the street sweepers. I'll see what the very near future holds.

 

rubicon.com

 

 

 

Another Marathon Looms on the Horizon

L.A. at Last! 

  Almost twenty years ago I set out to run the LA Marathon. After quitting cigarettes and training several months, I encountered Team in Training. As things developed, I wound up running the Honolulu Marathon. But LA remained a goal I thought I would snag in a few years. 

Now I'm finally on track to scratch it off the race list. I've got 45 days to train and no particular goal in sight other than, say, finishing in 5:15. I'm looking forward to enjoying the race, supping upon the city's energy, and hanging up another finishing medal. More soon. 

 

McCourtFoundation

 

Yes, I'm Stll Running v.2

 Not lately, however. Between illness and vacation, I've fallen out of my exercise routine. But nothing fires up the running engines than a goal. And so I signed up for the Rose Bowl Half-Marathon in January and am considering the LA Marathon in March. 

But first, I need to blow off the dust and cover a few miles. 

RunningGearLab

EZ Morning Run

Learning to Live

Out on the trails before noon. Three miles and back home before it got any hotter.

I received an email from the LA Marathon. They said if I sign up and the event is cancelled, then I can credit my race to a future marathon. Basically, send us money today and you might get a number next year or so.

Deal?

Well, it beats hiding out from old Wuhan Virus.

A Most Happy Easter!

Ocean Lakes Campground

Some poor old guy keeled over in Mass this morning. Fortunately, my church is predominately Filipino. Thus, from the congregation, about 35 nurses rushed forward to help. The Fire Department arrived quickly and carted the old guy out. No word on his condition, but my second favorite place to die, other than home in my sleep, would be church.

Met with a host of old Team in Training chums at the Rose Bowl yesterday to celebrate Virginia Garner's 20th anniversary on the drug Gleevac. Facing death from cancer in 1999, she took a chance on an experimental drug. A generation later, Virginia lives to help raise money to fight leukemia, lymphoma, and assorted other Grim Reaper blood cancers. Her amazing story, and that of husband Van, is chronicled in their book: Journey to the Finish Line: Surviving Cancer Together.

I mentioned to the group (SGV marathon team) that I felt one more marathon resting within me. This was because I had a great running book idea that needed the happy ending of a marathon. (Finishing time of no consequence.) Ideas sprang forth including the LA Marathon and one I'd never heard of: the Ventura Marathon, said to be a net downhill and a big Boston Marathon qualifier.

Ventura is in October, but I doubt I'd be ready by then. I'll need to decide soon since marathons tend to fill quickly these days. (Except LA, where they were offering discounts in February.)

Exciting to even contemplate. More soon on this momentous decision.