Well I’ve started the next phase of my workouts. I’m following a plan from muscle and fitness. It’s a 12 week beginner (for beginners or guys getting back into the gym — that’s me). I’ve been running for a couple years now but have really slacked in the serious working out category. I’ve done my pushups, my ab workouts as dictated by Mens Health but I would really like to get defined for this running season. So I’m in the second part of the workout. Today I had to cut it short as I’m in a conference tomorrow in Toronto but I did work out anyhow, just no cardio today. I’m also starting to monitor my intake. It’s incredible how much we eat if we don’t write it down and count it. Today I monitored it and also tried to balance it out. Took in 2450 calories today. Pretty much perfect for a lack of cardio day. Had I done cardio I woud have taken in another 300-400 calories.

Well I went to the clinic on my lunch break and my therapist is Conor Collins. Was a good initial consult and session. Figures about 4 sessions and I should be good to get back running at about 75% of my normal capacity. I’m excited about that. Even more exicted about the fact that I can hit the elliptical tonight. I figured that it would slow up the healing process but aparantly not. I’m excited as a kid in a candy shop at this point, the lack of cardio has been killin me.
I was given some strengthing and stretching exercises so we’ll have to put them to practice and get this healing process under way. I see there are some regular readers so I’ll keep everyone posted.

Well I’m taking my lunch later today to get into physio to get some deep tissue massage and ultra sound. Need to get past these shin splints ASAP to get back to running. I’m looking at my races that I would like to run this summer and it’s difficult to plan without knowing what type of shape I’ll be in. A fellow runner recommended a place in Ancaster Foot, Knee and Back Clinic. I’m going at 1pm on my lunch break and I’ll let you know what I think. I’ve been to enough places in the past to be a good judge I think. I’m trying this one because they seem more geared to my sport. I’ve been to a sports place in the past and the DR. is amazing but the physiotherapist isn’t the greatest. I’ve been to an ART (active release) person but it was more for the back and we have now discovered the back problems were related to the leg discrepencie and that is all sorted out now with the lift. So we’ll see how someone who’s more familiar to runners does.

Well tonight was a super intense workout!!! I’m absolutly burned out. It’s 11:45 pm I’ve just arrived home and need to get some sleep. I haven’t run in some time now and I just can’t wait till this heals. I’m just going to take advantage of the lack of running to build up some muscle and stability in the core and legs. I’ve been doing the leg exercises to prevent shin splints and to work on balance. I’m going to get the stability saucer next week I think and use that when I watch TV. Anyhow I’m just drained so I’m going to bed.

Well as you might or might not know I’m still plagued with shin splints (left leg) and sore tendon in my foot (Tibialis Posterior tendinopathy) which you can find in my blog including picture of the foot. So what is an athlete to do, REST! Yes I’m going to stay off the leg (other than required for mobility) for four weeks. I’ll hit the pool for cardio and continue to work out to get the body in shape for running season. Get my core firmed right up and hopefully by March 20^th I can start to run slowly. I will be going to the gym tonight for a swim and a workout. I’ll write about my laps, rest in between, how many etc. Keep coming back for information.

Went to the Buffalo/Pittsburgh game tonight with Shawn (brother in law). Was a pretty good game. Games are always great in Buffalo.  Pittsburgh won 4 -1. Looked good for Buffalo in the opening period, they were playing hard but just couldn’t get the puck in the net. Then they seemed to run out of gas and the penguins started doing the important stuff like scoring!!!

Anyhow was a great night. We ate in the Harbour Club 100 restaurant (buffet) was great. Fish, chicken, roast, potatoes, salads, pastas and fresh breads and roles ($33). Oh and before I forget $10.50 for two beers one of which was a small heineken. All in all it was a great night. Back to the gym tomorrow.

I was going to try and run outside today but between driving kids to gymnastics, volleyball and haircuts at the mall there was no sun left. Headed back indoors to run on my machine and did an hour. Pace was ok but still have to keep an eye on the left shin. Everything is still in the process of healing up. Burned off 1000 calories in this run. Ran for 60 min hitting a distance of 6.84 miles. That kept me at a pace of 8:46 minute miles. Also I did about 5 min of that on hills…I’m going to have to start including a hill run at least once a week and rebuild up my shins. Also the balancing exercises. Did some great stretching after.

Well my run tonight was great… I ran 5.46 miles in 45 min for an 8:15 min mile pace. That isn’t bad at all for my second run on the new orthotics and only 4 weeks post Goofy Challenge. I’m very encouraged by it all. I think the lift in the left leg is to high now. My body and muscles have started to readjust and the pelvic tilt has subsided. The chiropodist (John J. Infanti) seems to think the same thing and I’m noticing it durning my running now. My left heal seems to roll out and I think it’s because of the lift so I pick up a new lift tomorrow that is about an eigth of an inch shorter than what I currently have. All in all things are moving along great.
Also did an intense workout tonight. Worked out everything but legs. Added an extra shoulder exercise to my routine tonight. I guess I was at the gym for a little about 2.5 hrs tonight. HAPPY VALENTINES DAY EVERYONE

Well the orthotics have arrived and I ran with them tonight. Kept my pace down and my time short. I was advised for the first week or so keep my running at about half normal distance, pace etc. So tonight I followed the advice. I have to say other than some discomfort on the arches as they are getting used to this change my shins felt amazing. No discomfort what so ever on them after the run. Mind you the pace was much slower than usual, that usually didn’t have to much effect on the outcome (sore shins). Anyhow I did a 20 min run (actually 15 if you count the 5 min warmup in there) for a distance of 2.05 miles (this is on the machine again as it was snowing again). That’s a pace of 9:45 min miles (actually the running portion of it was actually about 8:35 min miles.

Anyhow I have to go shopping for some new shoes tomorrow for these orthotis. Can’t wait to put it all together. I also did an intense workout tonight, all body parts. I was at the gym for a little over two hours only to come home and have to shovel all the snow. It’s now quarter after midnight so with that GOODNIGHT!

Well it’s just too cold to go out this evening. Check out the Feels Like stat in my capture of the weather. I was going to go to the gym but between the weather and the pain in my leg I figured I’d better play it safe. My orthotics didn’t come in today and I can’t keep pushing my luck. I want to have a good running season and if I keep it up without them I’m just going to end up with shin splints that will plague me the entire season. I also require new shoes and can’t get fitted till I have the orthotics. I will try and call him tomorrow again to see if they are in. It’s also not going to warm up a great deal until Friday. I need the nicer weather, I need to run outside as I just hate running inside. I also should really start to work in the pool more.