Run DMZ

While preparing for the official launch of Anne 6.0 next month, I searched for races on launch day and found only one in my area. It looked like an ideal competition – with a 10k or 5k on relatively flat, non-technical trails. I signed up, then got others to join me.   Then almost four weeks ago, I sprained my ankle. Like, a this-is-not-going-to-heal-in-a-few-days sprain.* It’s still slightly swollen and hurts when I flex it, but it’s much, much improved. [Update: that's because I actually broke it and it set wrong.] I went for a 1.75-mile walk the other day – per my PT’s instructions – and it felt good. I walked around Balboa Park for a couple miles today and it now hurts like hell.   The daily RICE regimen might have been more frustrating had I not also contracted Covid from a family member, and therefore had even more reasons to remain off my feet as much as possible. It felt like a moderate flu for a few days, and I didn’t lose my senses of taste or smell. However, until t...

I’ve been preparing for an upcoming milestone birthday, what I call Anne 6.0. Parts of it are going well, like a new look. Other parts still have a few bugs, like my fitness level. If you read my last post , you already know this.   Since that blog entry, I’ve maintained a regular training schedule, better diet, and even started to bring down my pace per mile for a trail run on my actual birthday. I got others to sign up too. Bought new trail runners . Built up a little distance. I even planned a date night, which we haven’t done in more than a year. I’ve generally been in good spirits. Still am, despite what happened earlier today.   I was 22 minutes into a short, pre-dawn run when I fell downhill. I’d taken precautions – running on an even surface with a flashlight and staying alert, etc. But somehow my ankle rolled without warning, sending the rest of my body into freefall. Man, that road is hard. I scraped my hands, even under nailbeds, yet my head and side of my face...

Last week a freak storm  dumped up to a foot of snow  on the capitol of Spain. You can be forgiven if this bit of news never landed, given everyone’s preoccupation with another capitol that was under siege around the same time. I was stunned, then horrified and then disgusted by what unfolded last Wednesday in Washington, D.C. I’m still repulsed, but to help break the vicious cycle of ill thoughts swirling in my head, I’m learning how to redirect such negativity to brighter moments—like impromptu snowball fights on the streets of Madrid.   Spaniards came out to enjoy the rare weather Storm Filomena provided, and at various points people packed together snow and playfully hurled it at people nearby. Dozens joined in and as a result, we got to experience (virtually) something that’s been lacking for way too long here in the United States: pure joy. They threw snowballs at strangers in a city plaza and pelted some guy as he skied through a gauntlet of ‘ballers, with pe...

Here’s the thing about running through the decades: The injuries pile up. In the early years, it’s from being too ambitious and overtraining. In the latter years, it’s from being too ambitious and tripping. And with either age group, freak accidents seem to happen only after officially signing up for a race. I’d no sooner accepted the online waiver and punched in my credit card data when I was felled by a wayward bougainvillea stalk. These beautiful plants (ours is the size and shape of a tree, but I think they are technically a shrub) need to be periodically trimmed, and sometimes the landscapers you hire don’t pick up every stalk. And these stalks have “prickers” – big ones, too. And one such thorn stuck in my foot after I stepped on it because I wasn’t paying close attention to my surroundings. I didn’t think anything of it, other than “ouch.” I was wearing thin summer flats and the plant pierced the pleather and lodged into the outside of my left foot. I pulled it ...

Pip was supposed to go poop when she instead stared intently at some roadside brush. I tried to nudge her, but she wouldn’t budge. She saw something but didn’t move, which made me think it wasn’t a rat or a squirrel or a rabbit—the usual suspects she’ll chase. I hoped it wasn’t a rattlesnake. I hoped correctly. Staring back at us was an injured or ill owl that had made some metaphysical connection with our geriatric, gentle-souled dog. We were about 100 yards from our house, with a street crew not even noticing the large bird just sitting there. It had chosen its final resting spot well: If it hadn’t been for Pip, I wouldn’t have noticed either. By the time I got home and had tried to find someone to come get the ailing bird of prey (learning that the city no longer has an official animal control department), it was dark and she was gone. No feathers and no blood had me hoping she vanished on her own accord. Such wildlife encounters are common yet infrequent where I live. Sinc...

The past week we've gotten a taste of what you who live outside southern California have been experiencing for months now: hot and humid running conditions. It's been a while since I've been soaked in sweat within minutes of launching into a run or had difficulty breathing in the ultra moist air. It's also been awhile since I've stepped into the shower post-run and winced in pain from the salt residue running into raw wounds created by friction between my body and clothing. Then I cringe when shampoo and body soap spills onto those sore spots, followed by gingerly drying certain areas and applying a little A&D ointment to jump-start the healing process. Chafing is common among athletes and particularly runners because of the rapid, repetitive motion over a sustained period. The risk of chafing skin raw increases with distance and is most prevalent in summer or running in rain. But we runners suffer year-round if the conditions are right. What are those con...

We're now entering Week 4 since my trip to the ER and to a new world of pain, partial paralysis and yet another prescription for physical therapy. And while I stare down an uncertain future, I thought I might throw out something I've learned about how we now manage our own health. A survey published on numerous sites last week shows that a third of consumers are turning to their "friends" on social media for medical advice instead of their health care providers. They're publicly talking in detail about their illnesses and injuries and asking for first, second or third opinions. Aren't you glad we have HIPAA to make sure our medical records stay private? Of course, some of these people may not have health care, especially if they are under 65. And some folks likely use pseudonyms or post anonymously to be as candid as possible. Unless you use some of the more sophisticated tools out there, your real identity is easy to trace. Just so you know. T...

I wasn't even three minutes into my early morning walk Sunday - my second since injuring my back three weeks ago - when I went to pick up the pace and just collapsed. My left leg refused to support me. I thought it was a fluke, so I pressed on. Within a few more minutes, I tried the same thing and this time I caught myself before I hit the ground. My confidence and body were shaken and I ended up turning around soon as I got to the bottom of the hill and returned home, figuring I wasn't ready to walk two days in a row. That night, I was walking through an eerily abandoned Balboa Park (don't ask) and felt the need to move quickly to my car. Once I made my move, down I went. Tuesday morning was more of the same, so I started scanning Web sites for a diagnosis. This one site was convinced I'd just suffered a stroke and demanded I call 911. Another was more generous, giving me 8 hours to seek medical help. I couldn't get a consult with my HMO doctor because we're ap...

A week ago I learned I had bulging disc[s] that may have been caused by something as benign as coughing fits. I also sprained a back muscle. Do those crunches, people, so you don’t live the last week as I did. Monday : Coming off my third night of poor sleep, I slip on a Lidocaine patch, down my Rx ibuprofen and head to work. Normally, in this much pain and wanting to take “the good stuff,” I would have called in sick. But our new boss starts today, and it’s not safe to drive with narcotics, so I do without. The Lidocaine makes my leg feel like it’s half asleep, and as I exit the driver’s side, right in front of the new CEO, I fall like a drunk. Great first impression, huh? Tuesday : I get to switch from ice to heat therapy; what a relief. I now walk bent over at home, holding a heating pad. That night, I hallucinate that someone’s trying to get into my bedroom through a sliding glass door and that I am miraculously cured of all pain. All of the medications are now fully moving through...

I gained some notoriety years ago when I ran a full marathon without realizing that the pain radiating from my hip was a fracture. I had a lot of other issues that day, starting with an OD of Motrin that led to mild kidney failure. So the confusion with pain was perhaps understandable, if not quite comprehendable to people who have a low tolerance for physical discomfort. I mention this because despite saying privately and publicly that I'll never be that foolish as to run while obviously injured, I've gone and done it again. Friday night an on-again, off-again tightening in my lower back turned into full-fledged muscle spasms that stretching and a hot shower helped reduce but not eliminate. I had a fitful night of sleep and by 3 a.m. was pulling up medical web sites and self-diagnosing a muscle strain. I kept up the icing and ibuprofen and realized it hurt less to move than sit or stand still. So I met my running group as planned at 6:30 a.m. Saturday and enjoyed chatting for ...

I used to think it was just me. Then I started following a good many running bloggers and realized that I’m not the only one that seems to be struck by a significant injury soon before a big event. Here’s what I think happens. We invest a lot of hope and money into a big “A” race, or even a B race that sells out quickly, and we promise to follow the marathon or half marathon schedule to stay healthy. But maybe we get ambitious and ramp up the mileage ahead of schedule or start the schedule midway through without a proper base. Then, what starts as a niggling ache in our foot, ankle, shin, knee, quad, hamstring or hip becomes bona fide pain as we build up mileage. We realize this is maybe going to take more than a day or two off to heal. So we take ibuprofen and give it a week when we really need to give it two or three. But that long of a layoff could spell trouble so we “modify” our routine but continue to put undue pressure on our knees, hips, feet and thus make matters worse. Instea...

I’m in love with my foam roller. Since I started physical therapy for greater trochanteric bursitis , I’ve been self-massaging with the Trigger Point foam roller I bought from a local running store. It is one of the best $40 investments I may have ever made in my personal health. I realize many runners already are familiar with foam rollers, but I didn’t realize what an important part of my running and rehab arsenal one was until I actually owned one -- and, importantly, used it. Now, each morning and evening I settle in to do my prescribed floor exercises and end with a hip roll session to work out the knots and scar tissue built up from a year’s worth of neglect. The orthopedist warned it would hurt like an SOB, and she wasn't wrong. I also use it to get the kinks out of my back and shoulders after hours sitting in front of a computer. And sometimes I relax at the end of a long day with roller-induced foot massages while watching my current favorite television show, “Revenge.” I’...

Right after the Black Mountain race , I set as my next goal to beat my time at the Scripps Ranch 10k on the 4th of July, which is a great race for PRs because of its gracious downhill finish. I even made sure I had nothing else over the holiday to distract me and my destiny. Alas, the only records to be broken this weekend will be the number of times I've complained here about being injured. (I just realized the phrase "sounding like a broken record" may be lost on anyone who has never listened to music on vinyl.) I have either (a) bursitis (b) tendontis (c) osteoarthritis or (d) a stress fracture . It's also possible this is related to medication. The worst of the side effects come 5 to 8 weeks into the treatment and I'm right in the sweet spot. In any event, it hurts to do a wide range of activities, and I've got to heal quickly. So, I'm finally catching up on emails, books, blogs, Bravo shows, paperwork, freelance work and even housework. I even took my...

This is not encouraging for anyone who now pays for years and years of pushing hard, especially endurance athletes.

First I was forced to bail on Friday night’s Ecuadorian-themed party and now, as I listen to the rain rushing through the gutters, I just let folks know I’m a no show for this morning’s group run. Worse, I’m starting to wonder if I can make tomorrow night’s Oscars party. This is so not like me. My lower back has bothered me for most of the week and now it’s starting to cramp my social life. I’ve been doing research and have narrowed possible causes to the following: (a) pulled muscle while rowing (b) particularly painful PMS (c) kidney infection (d) cancer I unsure if it’s my mind playing tricks or if the pain really does go away when I run, but yesterday I decided the aftermath no longer is worth it. So I’m taking the day off and demanding the other adult in the house do the heavy lifting. By tomorrow the skies will be clear. My head will be clear. That stack of dirty laundry better be cleared too. Right now, though, can someone hand me that bag of chips and the remote?

When I read someone's bonked in a big race, especially an Ironman or ultra, I often ask in a comment: Did you take painkillers before or during the race? They almost always say yes. I ask because I once had a terrible experience with the drug during my last marathon and have since done a lot of research. Most recently, an article in The Los Angeles Times underscores the dangers of taking over-the-counter painkillers during heavy-duty exercise , like a marathon or ultra. Researchers have been using Western States participants as guinea pigs and discovered something every endurance athlete should know. After the race, runners who had taken ibuprofen showed signs of mild kidney impairment as well as mild endotoxemia, a potentially dangerous condition in which bacterial toxins present in the large intestine get into the bloodstream. . . . The drug also failed to help performance or recovery, the researchers reported in that paper and others. Both groups of runners reported equivalent a...

This week's Monday Brain Exchange, courtesy of One Little Tri Girl's blog is to create a poem that sums up your 2010 race year . Those who've followed this blog know in October 2009 I tore my achilles tendon, one of the most serious injuries a longtime runner can suffer. Through a beaurocratic blunder, I had to forgo surgery. With a lot of patience and physical therapy, I managed to heal the injury and accept newfound limitations now placed upon me, a former marathoner who loved nothing better than running 10+ miles every Sunday just to clear the cobwebs. So my return to running and racing inspired this poem. Marking the Occasion Toeing the start line Not once Not twice But three times With a firmer body A sounder mind A fully healed injury And good friends of mine Is better than Any personal records Any finisher’s medals Any technical T-shirts To mark the occasion You proved critics wrong. After all these decades Here is where you belong.

Why do I always seem to stumble on great articles the day I am sworn to keep my mouth shut? Yesterday, a.k.a. "Wordless Wednesday," I discovered an article in the Wall Street Journal that every distance runner/triathlete should read - and heed. Runners Learn to Realize Their Training Limits As the title suggests, it's about the downsides of staying a little too focused on training and not really listening to your body when it is trying to tell you something. It's a place almost every seasoned runner has been in. A more-is-better mentality permeates the endurance-exercise culture. Novice runners in particular tend to think that finishing a marathon requires no end of training. In fact, however, under-training is rare. After all, more than 95% of marathon starters reach the finish line. But, as the article later makes us aware, getting to the start line is a different story. Of the tens of thousands of Americans who pay as much as $180 to register for marathons, as many...

Enough about Kate, who wants everyone to know she also was weighed down by her Garmin watch. It’s time to steer the conversation back to my favorite subject: me. After my third consecutive night of fitful sleep, I’ve had an internal debate the past hour over whether to run, row, ride or at least make my Saturday morning yoga class. I have a small window before the day starts to accelerate with activities, and I've decided to forgo structured exercise for the second day in a row. I hurt my heel/ankle walking too long in the wrong work shoes. I’ve been icing and resting it since Thursday—to some relief. I could take the foot for a quick spin, but that test could also set me back, and for what? This, I think, is one of the biggest differences between those who train for speed and those who train for distance. If I were training for a half or full or ultra marathon, I’d feel compelled to get more mileage in, even if the run was slow and painful, just to avoid too many goose eggs. But w...

A local high school distance runner went for a run yesterday and never came back, prompting an ongoing, substantial search in the Lake Hodges/Rancho Bernardo area today. You can read the latest: Search continues for missing Poway teen As much as I'd like this blog to play a very small role in the search, I also think the circumstances serve as a reminder for all runners who head out alone. Authorities were able to locate the girl's locked car because she left her cell phone in it. It begs the question: Why wasn't she carrying with her on her run? I've mentioned it before, but I'll say it again: Anyone, but especially women, should always carry a cell phone when they run. And make sure it's charged and on so the GPS function can locate you if you are abducted or knocked unconsious in an attack or a fall. This is especially critical on trails and parkland because you have unique dangers and may not be found if it isn't a busy area. Also, make sure your cell ph...