2017 Running Recap

This year we ran the Steamboat Classic 4 miler, the Fallen Heros 5k, the Sgt. Douglas Riney Memorial 5k, and the IVS half relay 6.5 miler. Steamboat was our first race back since the Bridge to Bridge in September of 2016 and I had splits of: 10:39, 22:33, 36:55, and 47:16. Wendy finished with a cool 45:41. For the Fallen Heroes run I got a 35:48 time and Wendy came in at 34:32. For the Sgt. Douglas Riney Memorial Run I got around 37.xx and Wendy came in at 34:10. For the IVS half relay I had to drop out at the 1.5 mile marker due to a meniscus injury and Wendy finished at 1.21:54.

At this point in the year I have suspended running until I can address my knee issues further but on the radar is Folepi and a treatment plan leading into 2018 that may allow for more mileage. My goal is to complete a half marathon again soon, but it remains dependent upon my ability to remain injury free long enough to get through a three month training plan. Wendy has been doing well and remains injury free. While we both look to indoor biking and running for the winter plans she has also been adding much more walking to her training plan that also includes resistance training that we both do. I don't really have any surefire plans as usual since I have had one knee surgically repaired only to have my other one blow out as soon as I mounted a comeback. As usual, my fingers are crossed!!!

Triglyceride-A-Thon

Most of my adult life I've dealt with high fasting blood sugar (pre diabetic range), high blood pressure, and high amounts of triglycerides in my blood. Other inherited things like sweating a lot and rosacea are also noticed if you hang around me enough! Most of these functions are controlled and regulated through DNA at the sympathetic nervous system level. By far the most dangerous and hardest on cardiac output and health is the triglycerides being elevated to almost​ 3 times the accepted level. This is called, in medical terms, hyperlipidemia class 4 and the risk for having a heart attack or stroke is more then four times the normal risk. So as I come into this year of training the first thing is lowering triglycerides through the intake of more fish oil, more niacin and a one meal (1-2 snacks) a day program. It's very effective if used in combination​ with a lot of water. Many of us walk around with hereditary issues such as non alcoholic fatty liver, diabetes and elevated triglycerides and/or cholesterol and don't even think about it, and we all fall prey to aging and environmental​ factors that can affect us all in many different ways. We often don't even think to limit alcohol, toxin and food intake or to change our diets to limit caloric intake. However as a 230 lb runner, I always have to be aware and in control of things that can be somewhat controlled through diet and exercise. So one thing to think about as we train and we start to have issues that we can't seem to overcome as easy as others, or when we were younger, is to start planning to combat those issues head on, especially during peak training periods. If a person doesn't know some of their numbers beyond just a heart rate and blood pressure reading along without concentrating on genetic predispositions it can limit the ability to perform almost all together if left unchecked and unmonitored under a variety of conditions, testosterone and estrogen included! Happy running...

2.0-17

2017 training has officially started in our household. Our last race was the 2016 Bridge to Bridge run in Peoria. It was 4 miles and Wendy finished with a 41 minute time and I had it hashed out in 47. It was my first post knee surgery run and I require my pace to get much better in the coming months. We scrapped our 2016 race plan after that one and called it a season.

I always like it how when I dilate my arteries and pump a few extra litres of air through the lungs for the first time in three months how I quickly learn what the terms "vertigo" and "out of breath" mean. This last week has been a little tough trying to come up with a 2017 plan and getting the execution portion of it at least started. This year I will hit 3000 miles running and biking since I started back up in 2009 and I'm coming off that horrible 2016 season that included the knee surgery and some usual back issues.

I started this season off like most by seeing how different supplements and drugs are doing. Naproxen is now my 110% go to antiinflammatory for work and play, and a fish oil/niacin combo are my triglycerides controller. I've also been keeping dhea and arginine in the daily mix. Those will tick up more soon as I start lifting more in the gym. My goal is not to lose weight but to increase cardio output in shorter distances, even if we decide to finally run a half marathon again.

I ran an inderal test this week and it is clear that my target heart rate does go from 150 to 135. That is unacceptable and I will need to plan around that. The New Balance M980 will be my shoe of choice again. Wendy has been doing good with off season training and maintaining her 10 minute mile pace. A true warrior as usual..... Well it's time to go get fat! Happy trails.

EJ