Pain…and Lost

I ran yesterday. Four miles. But after the first mile and a half, the calf/achilles pain was back. It came and then eased up, but it is there. When I finally stopped, my achilles were so tight, and I knew what it meant: another trip to the doctor.

Other than the pain, the run was good. Which I guess means the run basically sucked. I’m still planning the challenge run through tomorrow, including the 3 mile run(today’s an off day).

I’ve got a doctor’s appointment for Tuesday morning. We’ll just have to see.

Lost was all types of great last night. Desmond flipping out, Daniel using Desmond, and of course Fisher Stevens, who will always be “That fake Indian guy from Short Circuit” for me.

Fewer Worries

So the tests came back negative…but in a positive way. I never understood how doctors keep that straight. Either way, though, it’s good news. I can’t tell you how relieved I am. I couldn’t be happier.

My long run is back on for tonight. If I have more pain then it’s back to the doctor. For now though, I’m planning my big challenge run through for Saturday.

Lost is on tonight. I can’t wait. I just read that we’ll learn who is in the coffin by the end of the season. Sweet.

Worries

I didn’t finish my workout last night. Not even close. I was 25% into my workout when we got a call. My father-in-law is sick. How sick, we don’t know yet. We should know today or tomorrow once the tests come back. Instead of working out, I spent the rest of the night with my wife. There’s not much more to say. I might go for a run today if we don’t hear anything or if the news is good. If it’s bad, well… I don’t like to think of that.

The Big Day

Today I’ll get a chance to see where I am in terms of the challenge. It’s now less than two months away(April 26). I’ll do all the exercises with all the weight and then finish with a 3-mile run. I figure I’ll be right I need to be, but you never know.

Another reason I’m running today is that my Achilles started acting up yesterday. If it’s a problem again today, I’m heading back to the podiatrist.

Yesterday was a nice run in the cold, but my Achilles began to ache pretty bad. I figure it was about 2 miles into the run. It worries me that the pain hasn’t dissipated more, but I’m going to keep plugging along. I’ll update tonight after I finish my workout.

Running Together

I usually don’t like running with someone else. I like being alone with my thoughts. I like to be able to talk to myself, to push myself, to yell at myself(usually in my head).

But this afternoon I’m going running with a college friend. It’ll be nice to have another voice on the road, and it’ll be cool getting to spend time with someone I rarely get to see.

We’ll also be running near where I work so it’ll be a change of scenery for me as well. More hills too. We’ll see how the ol’ Achilles holds up.

On the geek side, I’m now hopelessly addicted to Cybernations. It’s an online nation building game. There’s taxes, there’s war, there are alliances and banks and schools and cruises missiles. I just got geekier typing that out. If you try it out, come find me. My country is Joemerica. My ruler name is His Majesty Bill.

Good Weekend

On Saturday I went for it. Four miles. I was aching a bit after two, but continued on and finished all four miles in about 36 minutes. I kept my pace dialed back so I wouldn’t strain or overexert my legs, but cardiovascularly(I think I made up a word) I was ready for mile 5. It was a nice run, with the chill in the air slipping away after about 10 minutes on the course.

Sunday was my circuit workout. I upped my dips to 22, but my pullups were stuck at 8. I didn’t rest enough before the chinups, so I only hit 3. However, I did two more sets at 4 and 2. I’m going to change my chinups workout if I don’t see improvement over this week.

I managed two sets of the dumbbell press of 8 and 6 reps at 60 pounds each, and my shoulder press was at 35 pounds per arm with two sets of 8 and 5. I also added two exercises, thanks to rocket’s suggestions. EZ bar drag curls were rough and I managed just two sets(can’t remember the weight). I finished the workout with a set of Arnold 21s at, I think, 25 pounds.

Today I’ll probably do stairs at work during lunch and a good core workout at home tonight. A friend and I are planning on a light run tomorrow(two miles), but I might try to get in my circuit workout too.

Watched the Oscars, or most of it last night. I loved that No Country For Old Men dominated. Javier Bardem deserved the trophy, as did the Coens. I plan on renting There Will Be Blood once it hits the shelves because I heard so many great things. Jon Stewart killed for me, especially the Wii bit.

Rain and… Geek Note: A Plethora of Gifts

It rained yesterday. Again. It’s raining today. So yesterday was a short bout on the stationery bike. Today is an off day before a long run tomorrow, as long as the park isn’t underwater. I’m glad we’re getting the rain, but it really should schedule itself around my off days. Thanks.

A friend the other day mentioned one of my all-time favorite comedies, “The Three Amigos.” I started thinking that most guys(and plenty of girls) my age 20s-30s probably learned the meaning of the word “plethora” from that fine villain, El Guapo.

To this day that movie and that scene are the first thoughts I have whenever anybody says, “Plethora.”

LOST if firing on all cylinders now and I’m hopelessly addicted. Even if last night was a little slow(not much), it’s obvious the writers were just using the episode to build the plot to the inevitable life-changing event when some of the losties are rescued. Cannot wait.

Looking Back…Or Not

I was going to finish up the Looking Back post from yesterday, but then I thought, “Screw it.” Last night I hit a milestone. I dumbbell bench pressed 60 pounds in each hand. I never thought that was even possible.

So forget about looking back. Instead, I’m just looking forward. I’m still hovering around 20 on the dips and 8-10 on the pullups. Those numbers, along with the chinups still need to improve. Tuesday will mark the two-month mark until the challenge.

Tonight will be a long run at a little bit slower pace. I’m aiming for 3.5 miles at a 9 minute clip. My leg is still not fully healed. If all goes well, I’ll do a faster 3 mile run on Sunday or a slower(9 min) 4 mile  run.

If my running continues to improve, I’d love to do a half-marathon in the late summer or early fall. For now though, I’m focused on April 26.

LOST is back tonight. I can’t wait. My money says Claire is one of the Oceanic Six and possibly Sun. I’m also gearing up for some fantasy baseball action. In the world of geeks, fantasy sports is the holy nerd grail.

Looking Back…Part 1

It was just about a month ago that I decided to get my butt in gear and train for the challenge. So I figured I’d take a step back and see how far I’ve come.

The first part of this look back will be the mental aspect. I’ll save the physical part until after my workout tonight. Where am I mentally? I’m more focused than I have been in months. My workouts no longer feel like boring repetitions. I’m pushing myself harder than I’ve been pushed in a long time. A very long time.

I feel better too. I enjoy dressing up to go out and I have more energy, even more than during my previous workouts.

I’m also able to see the finish line now. Before  I decided to do the challenge, there was no goal, no “This is it” moment. Now, I know where I’m going, how to get there and what’ll be there when I arrive.

Finally, I’m doing things I never thought possible. This is really two parts. First, of course is that I’m finally back to running after my long, overly talked about bout with Achilles tendonitis. I never thought I’d run again.

Secondly, I’m able to push through to reps I never thought possible. Most weightlifters know there’s a mental block when you start getting into high reps. Getting more than 15 at an exercise is often as much about mental endurance as it is muscle endurance. I’ve learned to push through and push through hard.

It’s been a fun road to drive so far, and I can’t wait to keep passing milestones. I’ll be back this evening to talk about the physical changes.

P.S. I cannot wait for LOST tomorrow.

Long Run…Geek Note

I had a pretty good weekend working out. On Saturday I did my circuit training. I hit new highs on the dips, pull ups, and shoulder press. I managed 19 dips, 9.5 pull ups and I did 6 reps at 75 pounds on the shoulder press.

 I took Sunday off due to a rainstorm that blew through, but today I hit the trail and did a 3-mile run. In just over 24 minutes. I ran another quarter mile, but my legs were starting to hurt pretty good after that.

I’ve been sore the rest of the day, but I think it’s a good sore. Tomorrow I’ll do a core workout since I’ve got plans in the evening. Wednesday will be the circuit workout again. I plan on breaking that double digit mark in pull ups.

Geek Note: I watched “King of Kong: A Fistful of Quarters” over the weekend. If you’re a guy (or girl) who grew up playing arcade games like “Galaga” or “Donkey Kong,” you have to see this. It’s a documentary about two guys going for the Donkey Kong high score. It’s funny, sad, moving and pretty inspiring…in a geeky way. It’s at 96% on Rotten Tomatoes.