Last year I started running again around mid march, after not running since the previous October 22nd. I decided to take a break from running during the winter, but didnt anticipate I would not run at all for 4 months. I gained 30 pounds over the winter, and then just jumped right in where I left off. This technique led to shin splints an dother leg aches, which slowed my progress. I also started running in mid March which didnt give me proper training for Grandmas.

 I ran Grandmas, and after I had an issue in my left knee, most likely from rushing my training. That kept me not running for a few weeks, then I was starting out again to prepare for the Twin Cities marathon. A few weeks into training things were going good, knee was feeling great again, and I was getting excited for the Twin cities. Then come late August and I had a family reunion andwe all played a game of softball. My last time at bat I hit a nice one out deep, and I ran the bases, finally sliding into home, and feeling a shrap pain in my left ankle. I sprained it pretty good.

Ten more days later I was off limping a mile run, and slowly working up from that, just hoping for no more set backs, because I was a few weeks away from the Twin Cities marathon, and I was already going to once again not be fully prepared for it. Oh and I was also signed up for the Whistlestop Marathon 13 days after, so I really could not afford to get side tracked again.

The races came, and I made it through them and running two marathons inside two weeks felt like a major accomplishment. I also noticed I was recovering from Marathons much better than after my first couple. They were my 5th and 6th, and I vowed to not stop running this winter.

Well its just about February, and I have not been running a lot, but I have been doing at least 2 runs a week on the treadmill of 2 to 3 miles. I have gained less than ten pounds this winter, and I am going to now start early with my Grandmas training. The next couple weeks I plan on upping my runs and possible getting outdoors running. I am hoping this season of running is not as plagued by injuries and lack of training like last season.

Last year was definitely a learning experience, and really pounded in my head the value of proper training. I am getting excited thinking about this season, and I hope I can start getting some PRs again. I am feeling way better now and lighter than I was this time last year. Coming off last season, this one can only be better!

I ran Grandmas marathon yesterday morning, and the weather turned out pretty nice. I was also able to make it early enough to ride the train to the starting line. It was an experience being my first train ride ever, It was roomier than riding the bus, but it was slow moving and took about an hour to get there. I was worried about the steady rain that was coming down on the way, but it pretty much stopped by the time we got there, and then the weather stayed pretty good after that, nice and cool the rest of the race.

I started my training about a month later than I would have liked this year and only got in a seventeen miler a couple weeks before so I did not expect great results. So I was Pretty happy to actually beat my last years time, and finish in 3:47:44, which is a 5 and a half minute improvement. That is also my new marathon PR and it got me to the next level, the 3:40's! Now I will be trying to get into the 3:30's in a future Marathon! Kris had a larger group this year in the last mile, their cheers gave me some added motivation for a final burst to the finish line! Its amazing the affect that people cheering you on has for giving you an extra push!

I have a little pain in my left knee today, but I am hoping that starts to improve during this week of rest so I can get back out running next week! I hope the races over the weekend went great for everyone who participated!

I have not blogged since Fitgers so this one will cover a few topics. First off I ran my second 5k, the Atomic Dash in Eveleth last Saturday. I ran a 21:29 which is a 1:28 slower than last year so my times are still a bit behind. I still got first overall for the second year, which is nice, but I am still disappointed of my slacking this year. Its a good thing Kris did not make it up for that one, cause he probably would have taken the title back from me. Maybe next year!

During the Atomic Dash Andrew Littler a guy I met at the Hoyt Lakes 5k last summer was there and we chatted a bit. He told me about a website called the dailymile.com that is like facebook for athletes. You record your runs, walks, swims, reps, or what ever it is you do that day and it keeps track of them all for you on your profile page. There are also challenges you can join, like the 50 miles in May I recently joined. It is a really cool site that is a great motivator. If anyone is on there you can add Harry Shears as a friend. If you do not have an account I reccommend checking the site out.

And finally I ran my first 12 miler of the year with an overall pace of 8:30 a mile which is about where I want to be. the run felt great so I am hoping I will be mostly ready for Grandmas. I am still about 10 pounds heavier than I should be this time of year, but I am thinking that will shed with a few more long runs added to my diet. I am still behind on my training, and thinking maybe I should have tried for the half lottery! Maybe my entry in the Jacks link contest to win an entry into the half will work out for me, or I will just do the whole!

I decided last year I would start my seasons off with Fitgers because its mid April, and a lot of runners run this event. It is a good one to get you into the running spirits. well this year a perfectly timed snowstorm decided to add to the fun. I ran a 22:22 which is a minute and a half slower than last years time, but due to the conditions, and my late start at training this year I was OK with that. My main goal was to not slip and just get this event behind me. After Fitgers I thought why wait so long to start running, when I can get equally nice conditions at events in January and February! So maybe next year I will get motivated sooner and run one of those Mid-winter runs. Maybe.

My next two planned races were going to be the Cardinal Fiesta run in Hibbing and the Atomic Dash in Eveleth, but they have been scheduled on the same day this year. Being only an hour and fifteen minutes apart for the starts I decided its too close to try and do both so I will stick to the Evelth Atomic Dash. I figure its closer to my house, it starts at 9:15 instead of 8, and Kris yelled see you in Eveleth when I ran by at Fitgers. So Eveleth wins all the votes. Now I would like to find a nice 10K some where inbetween that and Grandmas and I think I should be good for my spring races.

Well Whistlestop is over and after running, this is the first time I am actually bummed about my results, and am very anxious to get out there and do another Marathon.

I felt good at the start and though I forgot my Forerunner in the hotel room, I feel I was on pace the first half. The running felt great, and my breathing was excellent. I was around 1:47 at the half, which was perfect for a under 3:40 time I was aiming for! After about 5 more miles I started feeling some pains and spasms but not a lot yet, but by 20 miles my muscles were getting very tight, and cramps were starting to happen. Just like last year, I was hoping this would not happen but it did, This caused my last 5-6 miles to be run till I cramp, walk till it goes away, and then run tilll I cramp again. I knew my pace was lost and I just hoped to get under 4 hours at this point.

This same thing happened last year, but being my first Marathon I figured it was a normal thing to newbies, but after running Grandmas with no cramps I thought I was past this, but Whistlestop was a repeat of last year. It makes me wonder if the softer trail is the cause because I train on only blacktop. I wonder if the extra foot movement stretches my muscle more or something. Or it could be my over-tapering, or maybe lack of potassium or hydration. I do not know for sure but I did finish in 4:01:51 which is just over 2 minutes faster than last year, so at least I beat that. Also it is a beautiful course so the slower pace at the end allowed me to enjoy it more. Like the 71 year old man on the bus told me, he plans on running it in 6 hours, so he gets more for his money than I do!  Now I am very eager to get out there and get my goal time, possible Grandmas in June.

Also I heard about about using Mustard to aleviate cramps. Has anyone else heard of this, or used this before?