"... Just a little patience..."

Knees are the pistons of a runner. Recently, well not recently but a while back, I've been struggling with a knee issue. One of my pistons refuses to fire correctly. Specifically, my right has been held captive of Iliotibial band syndrome (ITBS). Dr. Cluett explains ITBS this way, "[It] occurs when there is irritation to this band of fibrous tissue. The irritation usually occurs over the outside of the knee joint, at the lateral epicondyle--the end of the femur (thigh) bone. The iliotibial band crosses bone and muscle at this point; between these structures is a bursa which should facilitate a smooth gliding motion. However, when inflamed, the iliotibial band does not glide easily, and pain associated with movement is the result".

When I run the pain is on the side of my right knee. It bothered me enough on my last run (January 2) to take time off for at least two weeks. I do want to mention that I have not gone to the doctor and therefore have not been given a formal diagnosis. Because the injury is has not reached the point of affecting my daily life. The pain or rather discomfort only comes when I'm running 4 or more miles.

This ordeal has been very difficult mentally. While I'm driving my car I'll see a runner and act like a dog who sees a squirrel. This bump in the road has presented opportunities to do some cross training. I've been swimming and discovered that I'm not the swimmer I was 10 years ago. And I've even worked out to Jillian MIchaels 30-Day Shred Workout DVD.

The Jillian DVD is my new nemesis. It is one of the hardest and complete workouts I've done since I began training. The first day I decided to work out with Jillian, Rosie (our dog) had such a confused look on her face. Rosie has been a great support while enduring the DVD workout. She sits our our red corduroy couch and watches the whole ordeal and her affectionate face keeps me a goin'.

There are three levels to her workouts and I thought that level two would be a piece of cake, but I struggle to keep up with her. I started out with five pound weights and after the first workout, I picked my arms off the ground (and my pride). During the next workout I went with the two and a half pounders that come in a lovely hot pink color. I'd be lying if I didn't tell you my manhood takes a shot each time I press play on Jillian's DVD. But I've swallowed my pride and I have really come to appreciate the DVD workout home video.

Martin Luther King Jr Day (January 18th) marks my first attempt back at running on a normal routine. I'll be modifying my schedule some, in order to accommodate appropriate milage for the week. I've very anxious about my long runs and hope my piston of a knee is ready for it. But as I said in my first post on this blog, all I can do is put my "good foot forward".

2009, what a fun year

It's December 31st and like many other people I've taken the day to think, ponder and reflect back on what was the year 2009. Call it cliche, but I'm going to take a moment and look back.

I always feel bad for the month of January because it seems that people forget so easily what happens in this month. I mean, Christmas just ends, then New Years, and the next thing you know it's March. However, January 2009 was different. I distinctly remember where I was when President Obama was sworn in and regardless of your political affiliation I bet you remember where you were as well. I was in the basement at Volunteer Ministry Center (a homeless service provider) at their old location on the corner of Gay St. and Jackson Ave. in downtown Knoxville. I watched on a fuzzy TV screen along with some other coworkers and several individuals who were presently homeless. It was a special moment and one that I will not soon forget.

2009 was a fun year. I feel very fortunate to be able to type that last sentence and actually mean it. The year was marked with several highlights: At the end of March, I climbed the tallest mountain in the lower 48 (Mt. Whitney); In May, Rachel graduated from the University of Tennessee and received her doctorate degree in Audiology, I spent the summer (2 months) in Calgary, AB where I did lots of sight seeing with my host family from Belgium; And I started this running thing.

I remember that I started running when I got home from Calgary, which was back in mid-July. I've surprised myself by actually continuing to run. I not usually one for New Year's resolutions, but I think for 2010 my resolution will be to stick with my training schedule and finish the Marathon without any catastrophes. I believe my run today was an indication of good things to come.

After I ran 4 miles today, my knee felt better than it has in the past couple of weeks. Today's weather was like what I imagine the Puget Sound to be like. Misty, cold (not too cold), and the overpowering smell of earth. It was a cleansing run. I hope this run propels me into 2010. Well, have fantastic New Year. And for 2010, put your Good Foot Forward.

All I want for Christmas is spandex

Rachel and I had a great Christmas back in Arkansas. I have to admit my running schedule did not go as planned (i.e. I did not attempt my long run of 14 miles on Saturday). Although, this is not a bad thing, since my right knee is giving me some problems. I thought that by taking a break it might help my knee-situation. We shall see for this week.

Back to Christmas. Like I was saying, we had a great Christmas and I got lots of cool running thingy's. I thought I could use this post to show you what I got for Christmas. A show-and-tell of sorts.

The Stick. This guy is pretty neat and it comes at a good time given the current situation with my knee. It acts sort of like a deep tissue massage. I've only used it on my legs, but it can be used for almost any part of your body.

Brooks Vapor Dry 2 Running gloves. I've owned a lot of gloves in my life, but these gloves have really impressed me. Brooks knows what runners want in a glove: warm breathable materials with places on the index finger and thumb to wipe away snot. Another cool feature is the magnets that keep the gloves together so you don't lose them in the big glove box.


Asics Performance 2-N-1 short. I have not had a chance to use this short, since it is intended to be worn in warmer weather. They fit great and feel great.

Asics Men's compression short 7". This spandex blows my old pair out of the water. Although I've only completed one run with these, it is amazing how warm and comfortable they are. I especially like how the leg comes down a bit further than other pairs of spandex I've owned in the past, because it keeps my thigh muscles a bit more stabilized.

Amphipod's Full Tilt Veloicity water carrier. This will be a life saver on the long runs. I have been thinking for a while what will I do for water on my longer runs. Well, that was my problem. I was just thinking and not doing anything about my lack of H2O. So I've been running waterless. Not any more with this handy-dandy device. Tested it out yesterday on a 3 mile run and it works great. Very little bounce and very easy to access.


I would like to thank everyone who has supported me in this endeavor. I never expected any of these gifts and I am very grateful for them. They will undoubtedly help me with my training. Again, I hope everyone had a very merry Christmas and I hope you have a great New Year. Running is a great New Year's resolution. I'm just sayin'.