Mike's Place Another Tundra Hippy Voice Blog

Cold, Windy and Snowing

2009-12-29T07:32:00.000-08:00

Guess that means I used the Elliptical right. Nope I decided to get out there and get in a run. My feet could not grab any traction at all. You could tell the snow plows had not been out in a while. I was going to put in over 3 miles today. But it was just too cold. When I started to lose feeling in my face I decided to call it at 2.28 miles. But I did not go inside. I figured well I am already out here and the drive way needs to be shoveled. So I got that taken care of. Thank god I have what I like to call a city lot(Means I have a narrow driveway).

I am getting excited. I hit the road 1 week from today. I plan on being on the road around 5pm. I am leaving later in the night because they are celebrating my daughters half birthday at her nursery school(her real birthday is during summer vacation). And it will be my real birthday and my wife wants to take me out to lunch. So weather permitting I will be leaving late afternoon. Well that's about it. I hope everyone is happy and healthy.

Rain Rain Go Away!

2009-12-26T07:51:00.000-08:00

Well I decided today would be the day I got out and ran 13+ miles. I did not care about time today, just distance. Well right around 9.5 miles it started to rain. A very cold rain that seemed like it would not let up. Since I was just under a mile from my house I decided to call it at 10.4. I thought it would be best. Catching pneumonia right before Marathon Weekend would not be a good thing. I hope everyone had a great Christmas. I know I did. Well that's it. I hope everyone is happy and healthy.

Ouchie

2009-12-21T07:32:00.000-08:00

Well I had planned on going to do my hill training on Sat. morning. Well my back decided to stiffen right up on me when I woke up. And it did not loosen up till this morning. I took it slow and only did 3.43 miles. I did not time myself because of the much slower pace today. No back problems afterwards. So I did my resistance training. Getting closer to Marathon weekend! I head down 2 weeks from this this coming Tuesday. Still not getting excited about that 20+ hr. drive oh well. I hope everyone is happy and healthy.

P.S. Does anyone remember the time packet pickup was on Thursday for this years race not this coming race. This one we are about to run starts at Noon. I thought they had it around 9am last time. Noon time sucks because if you go on Thursday you either fight the large crowd if you get there late or if you get there early like I will you waste your whole morning and early afternoon.

Snowing and cold Elliptical time

2009-12-17T10:39:00.000-08:00

Well I was able to grin and bare it. I did 8 miles on the Elliptical this afternoon. I was bored, but I did it. I was going to run outside, but the snow plows still have not come by and that makes for very unsafe running. So I decided inside it is. Well that's about it. I hope everyone is happy and healthy.

Finally no elliptical

2009-12-12T08:21:00.000-08:00

Finally I was able to get outside and get in a good run. It "warmed up" to 20 deg. outside. I did my normal 5.16 mile run in 41min. 33sec. Felt good today. The old legs felt fresh. I guess a couple of days on the elliptical were good for the old boys. I have a DVC webcast at noon today. They are going to try and get me to spend more money. Which I don't have so jokes on them. "Then why are you going to watch it" you say? Well they are giving me a free character lithograph just for watching it! So I can not pass up the free shwag. And then after that I am taking the little one to go see the Princess and the Frog. Can not wait to see it. Getting closer to Marathon weekend!!!! Still getting really excited. I guess the only thing I am not looking forward too is the 20+ hr. drive to get there. But oh well I guess I will sacrifice for Disney. I hope everyone is happy and healthy.

Baby it's cold outside

2009-12-11T08:50:00.000-08:00

Yep in the teens in the mornings. Since I have not woke up in time to get out the door(yes that's my excuse and I am sticking to it). I have been on the old Elliptical the past 2 days. Got in 4 miles each time. That's about all the distance I can go before I get bored on it. We are less than a month away from Marathon weekend!!!! I am getting so excited!!!!!!!!

Good run

2009-12-08T07:49:00.000-08:00

Got up early, but got out the door late. My back was just really stiff again. But I was able to loosen it up. I did my 5.16 mile course. I had to stop once because an elderly lady was backing out of her driveway and did not see me. So I did the proactive thing and stopped when I saw her backing up. What really sucked is that halfway through my run I had an acid reflux attack. If any of you guys have it you know how hard it can be to run if it flares up. I forgot to take my acid reflux med. yesterday and this is what happens when I forget. But again I just pushed through it. Well that's about it. I hope everyone is happy and healthy.

Back at it.

2009-12-07T10:43:00.000-08:00

Well I started to feel better on Sunday. I did some core work and decided to go for a light short run today just to get back into the swing of things. Well some how I hurt my back yesterday and it was stiff this morning. But I pushed through it this morning. Only did 2.28, but I did not want to push too soon after being sick. But if my back is better tomorrow I will put in my normal 5.16mile run. Well that's about it. I hope everyone is happy and healthy.

Edit: Also has anyone seen the sign up for people to receive text message so they can track people that are running in the race? I never saw it last year and do not want to miss out on this in January.

Bring out your dead! Bring out your dead!

2009-12-04T09:36:00.000-08:00

But I'm not dead yet! I love that movie. Well I am still sick. My body just feels completely drained. I saw the Doc and he wants me to keep using over the counter remedies. But if I am still sick on Monday he will get me on antibiotics. Which I know I will be. So I have not ran since Friday and I also have not exercised at all. I need to save my energy just to get through work. So not much here. I hope everyone is happy and healthy.

Turkey race,black friday shopping/running,SICK!!!!

2009-11-28T08:03:00.000-08:00

Well lets start out with Thanksgiving. I ran in a local race called the Turkey Trot. Well they had 2 runs that day. One was a 4.4 miler and the other was a 2.5 miler. So of course I had to run the 4.4 miler. I got there 1 hr early and almost did not get a parking spot in one of the 3 parking lots. The race ended up having over 2700 people between the 2 races. And it looked like the majority were running the 4.4mile run. So as always I got in line about 10mins. before the scheduled start time. I was about 2 rows from the start line. And about every 2mins. the announcer kept asking everyone to take a few steps back. Why might you ask? Well it was because all the people who were still registering for the race were just walking up to the front of the line and standing there. I was thinking to myself these people better be fast runners or this is going to suck. By the time the race started I was in the middle of the pack. Lets just say I have never seem so many people on a 2 lane road start a race. I was quite a site. But it was also very very upsetting. Well all those people must not have ever been in a race before. Why because a most of them were walking or barley running at all! It took me the first 1.5 miles just to get through the mess of people before I could get into a grove without having to dodge people. I had to expend a lot of energy just to get through these people. I was able to finish in 31min. 43sec. which is about a 7.12 min. mile pace. I was really upset because if the start wasn't as bad as it was I would have had a better time and might have placed. I felt really good for this run and I feel it was wasted because of inexperienced runners and poor organization by Fleet Feet who were running the event. But hey at least I was able to run it right.

The next day I went to Fleet Feet for their Black Friday sale. Now I have done Black Friday once and I left the local Wal-Mart with bruises on my legs from people trying to shove me out of the way with their carts. I had sworn to myself never again. But I figured it was Fleet Feet how bad could it be. Well I got there at 6am doors opened at 7am. There was only 2 people in line so I thought this will not be bad. And it really wasn't. I walked in and was able to get what I was looking for and was done by 7:30. I stuck around because they were having a Black Friday run and they were serving waffles and sausage and some very yummy toppings after the run. And it was all for free. So I could not pass it up. They had routes set up for 2,3,4,5 miles. I decided to run the 5 miler. Now for the most part it was ok. But they take you around a water reservoir. Now these things are always way up on top of a hill for the obvious reasons. This hill just shot straight up for about .5 of a mile and it just sucked. And it was pretty close to the beginning of the run so I was pretty drained for the rest of the run. My stomach dropped during my run and I had to go to the bathroom really bad. Well since there was no where to go I had to hold it which took a lot of energy from me. Lets just say I was "relieved" when I was done. After that I had to rush home because I had to work UGH! I came home and now I am sick. My head is all stuffed up. I planed on doing my 6 mile hill training run, but I decided it would be best to just shut it down. Well that is it. Oh so who else it getting excited that we are only just over a month away from Marathon weekend in Disney! I know I am. I hope everyone is happy and healthy.

Knee test #4

2009-11-17T10:03:00.000-08:00

Well I decided it was time to really test the knee out. My new Asics 2150's finally came in yesterday. I wore them to work to break them in because of my planned run for today. I decided to run 10+ today. Only twice have I ever ran more 10+ during my training. Well I did 10.4 miles. I mapped out a semi-new course for today's run. I added 4 side streets that I would go up then back to make my normal 2.28 loop a 5.20 loop. The one major thing I forgot about is that these streets get longer as I go from one to the next. And also the pitch gets steeper and steeper from one to the next. So by the fourth one lets just say I dreaded it. But I did do it. After 5.2 miles I walked a little. Just so I could swallow down a chocolate gel and wash it down with water with out it going down the wrong pipe or worse it getting stuck in my throat(this happened to me at Disney this year. Major annoyance). I finished in 1:28:00. Not where I want it to be, but hey it's training right. But I am happy to say the knee was fine. No problems what so ever. So I think I should be good to go. Oh and I love these new 2150's. They feel like the old 2130's my favorite running shoe of all time. Well that's about it. I hope everyone is happy and healthy.

The little engine that could not

2009-11-10T09:48:00.000-08:00

Well at least today. I started out on my run today and could just feel I did not have it. My body was very tight even after my warm up. I just could not get loose. My breathing was heavy which rather annoyed me. And my shins were tight. I think I am starting to feel the effects of running in these old Asics. I can not wait for the new ones to come in. I finished at 2.28 miles and decided to shut it down before I injured my self. Well that's it. I hope everyone is happy and healthy. Oh and Andy is back posting over on Matt's Political Rant Blog. Go on over and check it out. See ya.

It must be the shoes

2009-11-08T08:37:00.001-08:00

Well Jordan was right. It must be the shoes. I decided to do a little research on the Saucony ProGrid Guide 2 I bought in September. Come to find out a lot of people have been experiencing the same problems I have. And when they switched back to their old running shoes the pains went away. Well I did the same thing. I went back to running in an old pair of Asic 2130's and guess what. The pain went away. So I did a little math you know 2 + 2 =3 and came to the conclusion that the shoes have been the problem the whole time. I have a new pair of Asic 2150's on order. They no longer make the 2130's. They were replaced by the 2140's and those were replaced by the new 2150's. So here's hoping all has been fixed. So for the time being I will only be doing light short runs till the new shoes come in. I have been in contact with Saucony because it looks as though the right shoe actually broke down with less than 100 miles on it. The inside material that covers the heel has started to rip and the heel support that is behind it looks to be way out of position compared to the left shoe. So now I have to see if Fleet Feet will do an exchange. If not I have to send them back to Saucony for replacement shoes. Well that's it. I hope everyone is happy and healthy.

Update

2009-10-30T17:43:00.000-07:00

Well I saw the Doc today and he feels that I do not have a Stress Fracture. Since there was no tenderness or swelling that maybe I did not break in my new inserts enough. For my Achilles pain he thinks it's from having my shoes too tight. And it is caused by the pressure on it from the shoe and the up and down movement caused by the shoe. He did do some strength tests on my lower body and said every thing felt really strong. So I hope things start to turn around. My leg is feeling better so hopefully I can hit the pavement sometime soon.

Now on to those pesky new inserts. They are back getting fixed already. They seemed to sit higher then my old ones. When I went to see my P.T. I mentioned this and he agreed. It seems they did not make them to his exact specifications. They made the heel to high. So those are getting fixed.

Well that's about it. As always I hope everyone is happy and healthy.

Stress Fracture?

2009-10-27T09:46:00.000-07:00

Well I gave it a few days on the new inserts. Then I went for a run on Sunday and felt a little pain in my right leg. Thought nothing of it because we runners are always feeling some kind of pain. But then I went for another run yesterday morning and let me tell you it hurts to pivot and some times bear weight on the leg. The pain is coming from the outside of my leg and runs up to the front of my knee. If it was the inside I would just say shin splints but it's not. I have an appointment to see my P.T. about getting these inserts right. I will also make an appt. to see my doc. about x-rays or even an MRI. Fingers crossed. Well that's about it. I hope everyone is happy and healthy.

The expensive fix

2009-10-14T10:16:00.000-07:00

Well I got molded for brand new inserts. $250 later this should fix the problems. It did last time. Took from Wed. of last week to Mon. of this week off to rest. I put in 5.2 miles yesterday then worked on my core.

I got my tickets in the mail for the Pasta party @ Epcot Thursday before the race and the after race party on Sunday @ MGM. They are little debit card looking tickets. That's different. They also have a slot on the top of the tickets so you can put them on a lanyard. Thought that was kind of neat. But after the Wisowski incident. I will not be wearing any lanyards anytime soon.

So how has everyone been? Things have been pretty quiet out there in Team Voice land. I hope everyone is well. That's it. I hope everyone is happy and healthy.

Oh the pain!

2009-10-07T07:58:00.000-07:00

Well it's official. I am getting molded for new orthodics. The ones I had refurbished are not keeping me in alignment. My right Achilles, back upper and lower, my shins and my neck are all in some good pain. This is how I was before I got my orthodics originally. I see the P.T. on Monday to get this started. And on Tuesday I am going to see my doctor about getting a referral to see a sports nutritionist. I have been stuck on the same weight and the scale will not budge. And I am getting sick of it. Well that's about it on my end. Oh I plan on running in a Halloween 5K this month. It's called the Scare Brain Cancer Away 5K run/walk. I hope everyone is happy and healthy.

IT'S A BOY!!!!!!!!

2009-10-01T10:38:00.000-07:00

Well we had our ultrasound today and it is confirmed it's a boy! We already have a name Michael J. Fess Jr. I am so excited. Still love those Cooke ultrasound machines. Still amazes me what they can show you.

On the running front I put in 5.2 miles today. Really have not been paying too much attention to my time. When I first started running I wanted to just finish a mile. Then when I could do that I wanted to go farther and faster. Well now that I have done that I am just really enjoying my runs. I am still around my normal times, but I pull up from time to time just to look at the scenery around me and just take it all in.

Now speaking of running. Is anyone else going to do the Pasta Party @ Epcot Thursday night before the Half? And is anyone doing the rap up party in MGM on Sunday night? I got the email that tickets are available and I laid down the cash for the tickets. I think it will be fun.

Well that's about it. I hope everyone is happy and healthy.

I'm running in the rain. Just running in the rain. What a glorious feeling I'm happy again.

2009-09-29T08:50:00.000-07:00

Man was it rainy and windy out today. I did my new 5.2 mile loop after I dropped my DD off for preschool. I know some people do not mind it, but prefer not to run in it. Or they plain do not like it. Me I love it. My body uses a lot of energy to keep me cool so when I have the rain doing it for me I tend to go longer and fast and post a better time. Which I did today. I think I will just do an easy 2.24 or 3.1 tomorrow to finish off the month. Man October already! Well that's about it. I hope everyone is happy and healthy.

What cha do'n

2009-09-28T09:57:00.000-07:00

Well lets see what has been going on around here. I did my 6 mile hill training on Sat. and the Deer were out in full force. What I love since they are protected in the park they keep their distance from people, but they do not run away at the first sight. Makes for a very visually appealing run. I took Sunday off because my cousin had their daughter baptised. Today no running, but I did strength training and did my core exercises. Plan on doing 5.2 tomorrow and on Thursday we find out the sex of our newest little one. Well that's about it. And as always I hope everyone is happy and healthy.

Update time

2009-09-23T07:11:00.000-07:00

Did 5.16 awful miles this morning and my strength training and core training. I woke up stiff. I went to the bathroom 3 times before I left and once at a gas station on my run. My shins are burning and I have been having problems with my right Achilles after my runs. I think I know the problem and it is going to be a costly fix. But besides that my DD started 3yr old preschool yesterday. It's a co-op so we as parents are involved. It is run out of a church rec hall and on Sunday nights we go and set the school up and my wife is an aide there on Tuesdays. It was so great to see my little girl put her book bag on one shoulder strap at a time when we got out of the car and walk up to the school door fearlessly. She ran right in and just mixed in very well with the other kids. There are 20 kids in the class. Only 5 are girls. On the first day they asked parents to stay(but out of site) just in case kids get scared. Well I am proud to say that my little girl did not cry at all. Well that's about it. I hope everyone is happy and healthy.

Back to hill training.

2009-09-19T14:21:00.000-07:00

Well that's right I started back up my hill training route at Mendon Ponds Park today. It was sunny, but not even 60 deg. when I went for my run. It was just a great day and turned into a good run. Saw some Deer as always and there was also some kind of trail race going on. So 6 miles today. Will do another 5.16 tomorrow.

After the run and mowing the lawn I took my wife and daughter to see "Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs". I have to say the movie was good. They loosely followed the books. I think they did a good job of their adaptation for the big screen. The books would not work as they are on the big screen. I loved the concept and after watching the movie I kept saying to myself why was this not a Disney movie. The main character is someone who never gave up and kept moving forward. I would give it a 7 out of 10.

Well that's it. I hope everyone is happy and healthy.

Just an update

2009-09-14T09:52:00.000-07:00

Did 5.16 miles yesterday. woke up late today and missed my window to run. The new Saucony's came in Friday night. They feel just like the Asics I used to wear. So hopefully I found a replacement. Well that's it. I hope everyone is happy and healthy.

Running, Stones,Infections We have it all on UHF!

2009-09-10T11:21:00.000-07:00

Well I have been able to get back into the swing of things running wise. I did 5.16 today and the same distance yesterday. My "new"2130's I bought from FootLocker on Amazon are no good. The shoes just are not tall enough and my feet do not fit fully in them. I know they were sold as new, but I think they were those factory defect ones. But were not sold as that. I have new shoes on order from Fleet Feet. I hate the fact that they do not carry my size 13 2E. I always have to order my shoes. I am going with Sauconys this time. I have not been to happy with the 2140's and am willing to try another brand.

I bet you are wondering why I put stones and infections in the header. Well no no punk threw one. It was more like god wanted to have a laugh at my expense and strategically placed a stone sitting length wise up on the road then blended it into the road so I would not see it. The center of my foot came right down on it which in turn made my foot give out which in turn made me at full stride mind you bite it. Scuffed the old knee and elbow up. My elbow took the blunt of the blow. I just got up said WTF then washed my elbow off with the remaining water in my bottle and just finished my run. My foot was killing me but the pain was tolerable. The fun part was when I got home and cleaned up my elbow and realized that I did not just scrape up my elbow. But the pavement shaved a Crater into my elbow. I have been trying to keep a big band aide on it but they do not last long because it is on my elbow. Now because of this I went a day with out a band aide on it and it got infected. Nothing like seeing your scab ooze. I got some neosporine and and cleaned it up and it's all good now.

Well that's about it. I hope everyone is happy and healthy.

The inserts are in and feeling great.

2009-08-28T06:52:00.000-07:00

Right before I went to work yesterday I got a call that my inserts were finally in! I was at the place at 8am this morning so I could pick them up and get a quick run in them before my wife went in to work. I ended up only doing 2.28 miles. I did not want to over do it. So it will be a few light runs just to get my body use to them again and then Mike-Speed will be back baby.

And on the Trivia Congrats to Justin and Fee. Fee great guess by the way. It is the little scanner that scans for Mr. Incredible when he is in the cave. When it flies back to Syndrome and connects to his remote take a look it is EVE.

Well that's it. I hope everyone is happy and healthy.