Hopefully . . . some good memories.

 It really all started in 2015 when I bought this:

It's a small, box elder Sebenza from Chris Reeve Knives.  And what a beauty it was.  Unbelievable quality and so functional.  I've always loved knives but this one was "over the top" in every way.  Oddly, the colors in the wooden handles (called scales to a knife fan!) reminded me of my daughter's hair. Yea . . . I know that's a little strange but it is true!!

After several months I had an idea.  For years my kids have known for years that I enjoy knives and I decided a cool thing to do would be to give a special knife to each of my children when I die.  My idea was that every time they saw the knife, held it or used it they couldn't help but think about me a little.

So my plan was set but all I had was a knife for my daughter.

I've been a fly fisherman all my life and as soon as my son was old enough I started him fly fishing too and that has been something we shared for years and years.  So when I saw a picture of a Chris Reeve Sebenza Pheasant Tail I knew instantly that this was the knife I had to have for my son.  This was a very limited edition knife and it took months of searching online before I finally was able to locate one that I could afford.  But when it came I was blown away.  This knife fit the bill exactly!

So I wrote a letter to my kids and told them of my plan and showed them pictures of the knives that I had for them.  They knew where the knives would be and which knife was my daughter's and which was my son's.  

A couple years past but then the unthinkable happened.  I lost my daughters box elder Sebenza.  While playing golf I took it out of my pocket and put it in the golf cart tray. But when I finish playing I forgot to put the knife back in my pocket. I was probably 10 minutes away from the golf course when I remembered my error. I immediately turned around and quickly drove back.  The golf pro said nothing has been turned in and he and I both went and looked in every single cart but my Sebenza was not to be found.  Well actually, I'm pretty sure it was found by someone who just decided to keep it.  My knife was never turned in.

I'm not wealthy and I couldn't just immediately go out and replace this knife.  It took me two years before I finally decided it was time to find the replacement.  My daughter didn't realize what she was doing but she actually picked this knife out . . . a Chris Reeve box elder Mnandi with a Damascus blade.  Perfect for her!

For years my daughter had been living in Colorado and my son and his family were living in Texas.  And as a result, it had been years and years since our whole family had been able to get together and celebrate Christmas.  In the weeks leading up to our family reunion I thought a lot about my plan.  And then it dawned on me - if I carried out my plan I would never be able to see their faces when they got them their knives nor see them enjoy carrying them.  So this Christmas I took the knives and gave them to my kids.  Tears were shed.

This was probably my best Christmas ever!

PS . . . don't worry!  I also have a plain jane small Inkosi that I continue to carry daily!

Summertime running is tough . . .

. . .  especially tough on an old man trying to build back his endurance!

For awhile I tried to run in the heat of the day thinking this would add stress and thus increase the effort.  But the heat won and now I'm trying to get my runs in during the mornings before the real heat blasts in!

I can see some nice improvements in both my pace and my heart rate.  Plus I just feel better and have way more energy during the day!

Pace wise there are improvements but not all that impressive to me.  Starting back my pace was about a 15:30 and I was only going a mile or so.  Now I'm averaging a 14:00 pace for 3-4 miles.  That's about a 10% improvement in pace for a longer run.  So I'm feeling okay about that!  I haven't decided if I'm start trying to add a long run in once a week or not.  Right now my longest run has been about 5 miles.

Heart rate is interesting and I'm encouraged here.  I have always watched my resting heart rate as an important fitness indicator.  I'm no expert about this and I've never really talked with my doctors about it either.  But during several of my surgeries, the surgeons commented on my low heart rate as if that was a positive thing!  Most memorable was when I has having retina surgery at Duke they kept me awake for a large portion of the surgery so they could ask me questions about what I could and couldn't see.  I remember alarms kept going off frequently as my heart rate was slow enough to set off the alarm.  Finally, the surgeon asked the anesthesiologist to "shut off that damn alarm . . .we know he has a really low heart rate!  He runs marathons!"

So starting back running again my resting heart rate was around 54 or so.  I knew my fitness was not good but this was a real surprise and motivating factor.  Now that resting heart rate has dropped to an average of around 48 and several days it has a 43.  A far cry from my past 36-39 averages but getting there!

Additionally, my weight is coming off.  Slowly of course.  Every thing I do seems to be slow!  . . . but that's okay!  When I started back running my weight was a whopping 239 pounds!  Most I've EVER weighed!  Today it down to 221 and my goal is to get my weight down to around 210 . . . and stay there!

What isn't really improving is by breathing.  At the first of my runs I can run about .3 of a mile until my heart rate hit about 135 and I'm past aerobic and into the anaerobic zone!  So I walk until my heart rate drops to about 110 and then start running again.  By the end of my run my running interval is probably .1 of a mile!  I think I'm going to start today measuring how long I can run that fist interval.  That might be a good measure to watch.  (UPDATE: The answer is 1.33 miles before I walked.  But it kicked my butt!)

Hip-wise things are generally doing great!  The only issue I'm having is lifting my knee while I'm sitting.  Movements like putting on shoes and socks or getting into a car simply hurt like holy hell!  It's nit the bones or the joint . . . it's muscle or tendon pain!  My surgeon suggested exercising it specifically but the pain is WAY too much to do that!  I'm visiting him tomorrow to see if he can inject me or something.  But this pain does NOT affect me walking or running at all!  My hip feels GREAT!

Anyway . . . I'm improving and things seem to be heading is a positive direction!!

Damn I'm good!!

Okay . . . that a HUGE overstatement!

But I am pretty pleased with my first 5k coming back!  So let me brag a bit!!

Leading in to this first 5k my average pace has topped at 14:15 per mile.  I've been trying to keep my efforts controlled.  I'm keeping my heart rate less than 135 and generally taking it fairly easy!  I figure I have a long, long time to build my strength back.  So I'm talking it slow and easy.

But at the Mill 5k I decided to push it.  Not crazy pushing it . . . but giving it a good go!

Results . . . I average about a 13:00 minute mile!  I admit this is still a VERY slow pace!  But to me I was screaming fast!!  Okay . . . so I just improved some!  But you have to celebrate your accomplishments as you can!!

Honestly I just really happy to be running some again!

Coming back! Slowly . . .

It's not surprising that my running progress is slow.  SLOW is the word most used to describe me! (I'm hoping that is used to describe my running but I'm not really so sure of that!)

Most people of average physical condition when walking purposefully can walk at around a 20 minutes per mile pace . . . 3 miles per hour.  Maybe a little slower when going uphill and a tad faster going down.  Sounds easy but to keep that up for 4-6 hours it's not a cupcake walk.

I've been "training" now since March 15th . . . about 7 1/2 weeks!  I started out running at a pace of about 15:30 per miles.  Running some and walking some but trying hard.  After running several minutes I'm running out of wind and just need to walk to recuperate.

Since I started back I have improved!  As the weather warms I'm trying to balance between the cool times of the day and the hottest time . . . and that makes a HUGE difference!  Those hot temps just plain kick my ass!!  But I'm thinking I benefit from these runs as much as the cool, faster runs.

Guess I should have put the word "faster" in quotes!!  I did a 3.1 mile run in cool temps at a 14:18 pace.  Definitely an improvement but not as big of an increase as I would have hoped.

It's weird!  A big part of me just plain doesn't care!  I'm getting more healthy.

• I'm losing some weight which had become a primary reason I started back. Sill a long way to go to get to my target but I'm seeing progress!
• I seem to have more energy.  I had become lethargic.  Just couldn't muster the desire to do many of the things I really needed to do.  I'm really glad this is improving! 
• My resting heart rate had increased.  Finally it's getting back into the 40s and I'm pretty sure it should get back to my "normal" high 30s and low 40s.
• I am able to run more in relation to my walking!  That is also improving but I still can't run a mile before I need to walk!

But . . . as a runner I do look to speed and endurance improvements to measure my progress.  And that is lagging what I had expected!

• I thought that by this time I could run a mile without walking.
• I had hoped I could average a 12:XX pace for 3 miles.
• I need to be adding in at least one long run a week . . . maybe more.  But that just isn't happening yet.
• I'm finding I'm totally out of breath when my heart rate hits about 130.  Hoping that will increase!  But the end of my runs that 130 comes pretty fast!

But overall . . . I'm in a way better place!  Really feeling good about running again and looking forward to I'm not sure what!!!

Regrets? I'm not sure . . . but a few things I wish I had done.

We're talking running here!

Not going to be thinking about all those things in life that I wish I had chosen differently!  For sure I've made some really bad choices in my life and would like a chance to go back and try again!  Hopefully I would choose differently.  BUT . . . that said I am who I am based on all the things I've done up to this point, so if I changed those bad decisions into better decisions I wouldn't be who I am.

Okay . . . that's a rabbit hole I don't want to go down!  At least on this blog.

No . . . I'm focusing on my running here.  I started in 1974 I believe.  For the life of me I can't really remember for sure but it was 2-3 years before I got married and that was in 1977.  So 1974 is a pretty good guess.  So 45 years of running.  Well . . . that's not exactly right!  There were plenty of times I stopped running. Some breaks were due to injuries and some times where life just got in the way, and some times for sheer laziness!  But I'm not going to worry about those details!  I've been a runner for 45 years!!

One early choice I made was that I figured out that I got way more satisfaction from running a longer distance than I got from running something fast.  For years I was focused on trying to run fast 5k and 10k races.  But I found I got a huge personal satisfaction from running a race that I wasn't sure I could even finish!  My first marathon back in the 1980s I actually cried when I finished!  I had worked so hard and had suffered to accomplish that 26.2 miles!!  I was proud of myself.  And that feeling was way stronger that any feeling I got from running a "fast" 5k.  So that choice took me in a very different direction in my running life.

Probably the most critical running choice I made was in 2005.

I had suffered from some serious knee issues and chose to follow doctors' advice.  Trying surgery, PT, and finally trying "no running" at all.  Things had just gotten worse and worse and worse.  I had trouble simply walking around casually!  Until by accident in 2004 I found something that started making my knees feel better.  And I really worked hard at this crazy "something" and it started paying off!  My orthopedic doctor told me I was crazy and that what I was doing had no chance of working!  But it did work!  And in 2005 I trained and finally ran a "Return to Running Marathon" . . . the Shamrock Marathon in Virginia Beach.

I was "over-the-moon" with my newly found return to running and ended up doing quite a few more marathons that year.

And it was at one of these marathons that I made the choice that I'm talking about here!!  I went up to NW West Virginia and ran the Ridge Runner Marathon.  I had already run several marathons that spring and I was tired and decided to just take it easy on this marathon.  I decided to take a camera with me and shoot a bunch of pictures of things I saw and people I met along the way.  This choice has made all the difference and I knew it right after I finished that race!

1. First - (and most importantly) I had fun!  It was a blast just not worrying about my time . . . just running along at any pace that felt good at that time!!  And I recovered within a day or two!!  This was a life changer!!
2. Second - I loved looking back at the pictures I took and having those pictures to  help me recall details about the race.

So these two things totally changed my running from that point on!  Later I did have to start worrying about my running pace at some races where there were time cut-offs to be an official finisher for the race.  Honestly . . . I started HATING races with cut-offs . . . it just took all the fun away for me.

But I do I have any regrets?  Not many . . . but a few!

1. I had a goal of running a sub-20 5k.  I trained hard and I ran hard but I never was successful!  The frustrating part is that I got soooooo close three separate times!!  I had three 20:01 finishes!!!  So close!  I kept thinking I would finally do a 19:?? but it never happened.
2. My first marathon DNF haunts me.  The Leadville Trail Marathon.  This was one of the toughest marathons I ever entered!  The races started at 10,000 in elevation!  Climbed up to about 12,500, dropped to 11,000 feet and the climbed up to 13,185 feet at mile 13.1!  Then, you turn around and run back!!  I got to mile 20 and felt great!  But climbing that 13,000 bugger had really taken it out of me and the trail up was all loose rock . . . some big chunks and a ton of medium rocks.  And it was the most insecure footing I had every run on and my knees weren't all that good.  So I had come down the mountain slow and easy and found that I had missed the 20 mile cutoff by 4 minutes.  They had a van there and insisted I had to stop.  So I did.  But in hindsight I wish I had simply given them my race bib and continued on to an "unofficial" finish.  I think about that race and my choice often . . .
3. The Bloody 11w race was my first successful 100 mile race!  BUT there is a catch.  The full race was 111 miles but they had the option to stop at 100 for what they called their "Fun Run."  Even when I started the race I only intended to run 100 miles and not the full 111 miles.  But in hindsight I know I could have gone the additional 11 miles and finished the whole race.  I've wanted to go back and do it again . . . and finish 111 miles!
4. The Last Annual Volunteer State Road Race.  To ultra runners almost 100% know all about this beast of a race!  314 miles of fun starting in Missouri, into Kentucky, then diagonally across Tennessee and into Georgia for the finish!  It's an adventure race with no aid stations and run in July!!!  Heat and humidity is guaranteed!  I was signed up for this race when I had my foot accident.  So I never got my chance to fail!! This race has a daily cut-off time.  When the race starts the "Oprah" starts running and she finishes exactly 31.1 miles every 24 hours.  To be allowed to continue on each day you must be ahead of "Oprah."  If you fail to maintain that pace you are pulled from the race . . . no chance to try and catch up the next day!

So these four things haunt me.  The first two are totally "water under the bridge."

Damn . . .

Yesterday I did my longest run to date!  A whopping 4.2 miles!!

It was fairly hot (80° +) and sunny.  Plus, I was on the Canal Trail in Roanoke Rapids so there were quite a few short ups and downs but nothing really significant!  That was a good increase in distance for me and I can feel it today with some muscle soreness.

That was the good news!

The not-so-good news is that  it took me 1:08:45 to do it!!  That's a 16:20 pace!!  Damn!  That is just barely faster than walking but I using my heart rate to set my intervals . . . 135 and I started walking and started running again when it dropped to 110.  As expected, as the "run" progressed, the time running reduced and the time walking increased but I still felt like I ran a bunch!!  Kind of depressing really!

I'm not sure why I was disappointed!  I mean what should I really expect?  I've only been back running a little over a month.  And when I started back,  a 1 mile run was PLENTY!!  I just have to keep on pluggin' away at it!  It's not like I have any goal or anything except to get in better shape and I can see that is happening!

Back at it again . . .

It's been awhile!

And this may not last all that long.  But I'm trying to "run" again.  I put the word "run" in quotes 'cause many would suggest that I'm not running at all!  At best I've got a slow "jog" going on between walks!

No need to recount all the injuries I've been dealing with for the last several years.  Primarily foot and hip issues.  And while neither is anywhere close to 100%, I'm thinking both are close enough to give this a try!

For the last 3 years all I've really done is walk for my exercise . . . primarily while playing golf.  A little over 6 miles a round averaging two days a week.  Not much really but it is something.  After 18 holes I'm really tired and my joints just sort of "freeze up" like after a really long run!

Of more concern, my weight was slowing inching up to my all-time heaviest . . . almost 240 pounds!  And I just didn't feel all that good.  Yard work wore me out!  Getting down on the floor and then standing back up was real effort!!  Helping out my dog do the things she needs me to do even takes significant effort.

I needed a change.

My hip surgeon advises that I not run anymore.  He says he knows that he has hip replacement patients that do run but he believes they will wear their new joint out early.  And replacing a hip replacement is not all that much fun according to him!  He says if he had a hip replacement, he wouldn't run.  But I have a friend that had a hip replacement years ago and she runs every day.  I'm sure the conservative approach would be to extend walking and increase that walking pace.

But here is what I'm thinking -  I'm almost 69 years old and my overall health is excellent.  Heart is strong, blood chemistry is excellent.  No issues at all except kidney stones and joints!  I'm thinking if I keep doing what I was doing, my weight would continue to slowly climb, my heart would be stressed in a not so good way (due to the increased body weight) and the downhill spiral would do nothing but accelerate.  And my hip surgeon has never seen me actually "run."  When I'm running, I don't believe there is any more "pounding" than when I walk.  I'm pretty sure when I'm running I always have contact with the ground . . . more of a glide!  Not sure what I do qualifies as a "run!"

I do "get it" though.  If I return to running, my hip may well give out early.  I'm hearing most hip replacements last 15-20 years.  If running reduces that 20% then I should be able to get 12-16 years.  That would take me to age 81-85.  And my quality of life during those years should be pretty darn good!  Plus, the estimates of how long a replacement should last is looking at hip replacements done 15-20 years ago!  I'm betting that new hip joint parts made these days will outlast those made years ago!  And if I do wear mine out . . .I can always try a new replacement . . . by then that procedure might be even better!

Maybe my logic and assumptions are wrong.  IDK.  But I do feel like my current course will lead to a better quality of life for me.  But of course we all know: "If Papa ain't happy . . . nobody cares!!"  Hahaha!

So . . . how is the running coming along you ask?  

"Slow but sure" about sums it up.  But with my blog's name would you guess any different?

My first outing was March 15th and I "ran" for 16 minutes 34 seconds covering a whopping 1.07 miles!  That equates to a 15:31 pace.  Since then I've covered just over 37 miles and I'm now averaging a pace of about 13:45.  So that is some nice progress.  I'm only covering 3-4 miles per run and I believe I'll hold that distance for awhile.  The last thing I want to do is to come back too fast . . . the risk of set-back is just not worth the risk.

My hip and foot pain is usually very minor.  Only one day did my hip hurt enough that I turned around after 1/4 mile and walked back home!  On most runs the pain level is around 1 to maybe 2 sometimes.

Most of my "running" has been in my neighborhood on our roads.  While I've always loved trail running, I'm afraid the trip risk is just too great.  I did do one run at the Roanoke Rapids Canal Trail which really isn't much of a trail . . . no single-track and wide, smooth surface for the most part.  That worked out okay and I'll likely do that every so often.

Goals?  

Really, I don't have any except being able to run some and improve my fitness.  I have signed up for a 5k coming up in April and I guess my goal there will be to not finish last.  But honestly . . . I don't care if I do end up dead last.  I've been DFL many times!

Too much time . . . not enough to do!

Hard to believe but this is true!

There really is a lot I NEED to do but for the time being I really need to be doing very little as I recover from my hip replacement.  I've already learned the down-sides of trying to "Hurry" back!

The hip is a sneaky joint!  You think things are healing up well so you decide to up your exercise level a notch.  So you head out walking (or doing your exercises) and it doesn't hurt.  The whole time you're out there you don't notice any increase in pain!  Sweet!

You get home and everything still feels good!  BUT . . . the next day the pain is back!!!  And you have to ease up for 2-3 days to allow your hip to recover.  Why the heck can't it hurt when you're DOING something so you know you need to stop!!!

Anyway . . . with extra time sitting around I'm trying to come up with my recovery plans that include physical exercise.

I'm 7 weeks post surgery and my doctor tells me I can't return to golf until 12 weeks!  So 12 weeks is my starting point!!  Done.

From what I understand my rules are:

1. I shouldn't run . . . I'm not sure the real reason why but I do plan to ask a lot of questions about this rule.
2. I shouldn't do things that increase my risk of falling.  Not sure how long this rule will last.
3. I should keep my weight down as extra weight adds stress to the hip.

Sooooo . . . I'm trying to come up with a progression of goals to work towards.  Short-term, Intermediate-term and Longer-term

Short-term is fairly easy.  I've got things like:

• Walk 9 holes of golf (My first day back playing golf!)
• Walk a 5k Race  I could easily do that today so that's not much of a goal!)
• Walk 18 holes of golf

Intermediate-term goals are tougher to come up with:

• Walk 36 holes of golf in a day

And long-term goals are very hard to establish!  I do think I'll need to understand my "rules" more before I can establish these.

Biking and swimming are simply NOT in the cards.  I love hiking and backpacking . . . but there is a significant falling risk and backpacking you carry that extra weight.

Hopefully I can start out with 3-4 day hike and see how that goes!!

So . . . any suggestions / ideas you think I should be considering?

It's been awhile . . . and a lot of water has flowed under the bridge!

November 2015 was my last blog post!  And then I went dark!

But last night a huge upswelling of fans urged me to start this blog up again!  They missed the stories, BS and all the other things that were "Hurry Slowly . . . but Hurry!"  Okay - it really wasn't an upswelling . . .  just several fans!

Okay . . . really just one fan and his wife.  OKAY . . . maybe they were just asking why I hadn't posted in a long time.  And they really didn't mention missing my fabulous writing skills!  This is just a small technical point that really means nothing.  The important thing is they asked about "Hurry Slowly . . . but Hurry!"  Wow!!!  Someone remembered!!!!

I won't bore you with details but a lot has gone on exercise/health-wise since my last blog post:

• My foot is now okay!!!  Hip Hip Hooray! (No pun intended as you will soon see!) In total, I think I had 5 different foot surgeries but finally one of the Duke foot specialists found and corrected the last of my significant problem.  I could run now I believe . . . but I haven't.  Lazy?  Maybe.  Scared?  That too!
• But I've been playing a lot of golf (badly) and I walk the 6.3 miles that makes a round at my course!  So that is something!  I kept thinking that maybe I would start running some but I just couldn't get myself motivated!
• It's been a long, long time since I have even attended a running event.  At first it was just too hard so see the running and not be able to go out there.  I found it easier to simply divorce myself from running totally.  I hope some of you can understand that . . . but honestly I'm not sure I really understand it myself!!  But eventually it became easy to just stay away!
• There are times that a part of me wants to go back and do whatever it is I might be able to do!  The cool thing is I know my running friends would welcome me back with open arms and support whatever feeble efforts I might be able to do!  They might not understand . . . but they would welcome me back.  Runners are just like that!  

But recently I've had another "situation" that makes any return to running even more difficult.

• In 2011 I had surgery on my right hip (primarily a labrum repair and some impingement fixes) but at the time the doctor told me there was significant arthritis that would be "getting me" in a few years.  My last post here  on "Hurry Slowly . . . but Hurry" in 2015 described a follow-up visit with my doctor where he again told me a hip replacement was coming.  
• Well . . . it finally got me this summer and I had a total hip replacement in late August.  Before he would operate my doctor made me PROMISE him I wouldn't run ever again.  I think he is worried about the new hardware wearing out but I'm not sure.  I'll be asking him again when I see him for my next follow-up visit.  By the way - when I made my promise to him that I wouldn't run anymore . . . I had my fingers crossed!  Just in case!
• I'm 6 weeks into my recovery and it is going well but I'm not even considering running!!  Most days pain is almost non-existent but then there are days it mysteriously re-appears!! 

Me and my shiny new hip!!

A few hours after surgery!

I'm walking a lot!  Well . . . maybe not a LOT but I'm walking 1-2 times a day.  Slowly building up my strength and distance.  Thats the one thing they want you to do after a hip replacement!  WALK!  It starts the day of your surgery they get you up and walking with a walker.  Next day I went home walking on a single crutch.  Not going far at all . . . initially 2-300 yards or so.  After a slow build up and several setbacks (from trying to do too much, too fast) I'm up to about 3 miles once a day and maybe 1 mile for my second walk!  Not bad!

There are differing opinions about physical therapy . . . some experts want you to hop right in to physical therapy.  Other experts say that hip replacements are very different than knee or shoulder surgeries and physical therapy isn't needed or even good until your pain goes away.  So I'm ignoring all the experts and trying to find a middle ground by only doing some of the exercises the PT wants me to do!  And not pushing myself hard yet.

So running is really almost certainly out for me as a primary exercise.  Biking?  No!  Swimming?  No!

But he didn't say anything about walking . . . Hmmmmm . . .

• My friend Laz Lake (in his 70s) just finished walking across the US!
• I could walk at any 24 hour race and probably finish 50k to 50 miles.
• I could walk Bloody 11w if they decide to do that one again.
• Heck . . . I might be able to walk Vol State (as long as I'm sitting here dreaming of ridiculous things of future grandeur!)
• I've always wanted to thru hike the Appalachian Trail.  Or maybe the Pacific Coast Trail (it just might be a tad easier for a guy with a new hip!).

Realistically, I'll probably just play more golf . . . but it's fun thinking about these other possibilities.  

If I tried any of those long distance walking adventures I bet my doctor would crap his pants!

But one thing is clear . . . you HAVE to stay active to stay healthy!  Maybe I'll have a race report sometime soon.

Hmmmmmm . . .

I'm continuing to walk.  But still can't wear shoes.

Most days I walk about 3 miles but I managed to complete about 5 miles on Medoc Trails the other day!  That is GREAT for me.  By the end neither my hip nor my foot were really giving me trouble!  So I'm trying.  Not running at all, but the walking wears me out!  Hahaha!

I know now that my hip pain is arthritis and not a repeat of a torn labrum.  So the doctor said that there was a hip replacement in my future at some point.  He suggested a series of hip strengthing exercises which I've been doing.  And surprise, surprise . . . they seem to be helping!!  I think these exercises are the reason I was able to walk 5 miles!  So I'm pretty excited about this.

But if the hip keeps hurting, I think I'll go ahead with a hip replacement even though the pain isn't all that bad.  I just don't see the point in waiting.  Hip replacement surgery is proven and with the new surgery approach, recovery is very quick.  And time marches on for me!  So if I want to have any chance of running again I probably need to be proactive and get it over with!

My freakin' foot is the other obstacle that I have to deal with.  The last surgery in December 2014 has worked to a degree . . . my toe itself no longer hurts!!  However, the metatarsal bone they cut off now hurts!!  I can't wear shoes any longer than an hour or so.  Plus, the bone hurts on the bottom of my foot.  Soooo . . .  what to do?

My ortho doctor wants me to try some custom orthotics, so I'm waiting on my pair to be made.  He believes these will at least relieve the pain on the bottom of my foot but I can't see how they will help with the pain on the side of my foot that prohibits me from wearing shoes.  But . . . it seems these orthotics may be worth a try.

And if this doesn't work?  Well, I really can't see me not being able to wear shoes for the rest of my life.  I don't know.  I just need to take this one step at a time.  Hopefully the orthotics will be the answer!

So . . . why this post?  This year is the 10th year anniversary of the Rocky Mount Endurance Club (RMEC).  The club started just after the Richmond Marathon that a group of us trained for.  The group wanted to continue on and the RMEC was formed.  Well, Michael Forrester sent out a challenge to all RMEC members to relive the Richmond Marathon next year . . . together by running it again.  That would be cool!  Realistically it would probably be my last marathon if I could do it.  And the chances of me actually being able to do it is slim to none.

The Richmond Marathon has a 7 hour time limit.  That means at least 16 minute miles.  So I would HAVE to run some but I could walk most of it.  Again, being realistic, I can't expect to really train much for this!  If I trained much (running, etc) I doubt if my foot and hip would hold up.  So my training would be only walking and probably not all that much of that.  And if I need to have a surgery, then I need to do it sooner rather than later!

But finishing the Richmond Marathon does seem like a great way to end my long distance running.    Richmond has always been one of my favorite traditional road marathons.  Right now . . . it's like I ended my running on a sour note.

In my heart I would like to do this . . . but realistically is it a check my body could realistically cash?  I just don't know.

(A couple of days have passed)

Another option might be a better option.  Honestly . . . with my body in the condition it is I don't believe doing a 16 minute mile for 26 miles is even close to possible.  Today (Nov 20)  I walked 6 miles about as fast as I could and it ended up taking an average of 17:20 per mile!  So I'm left with the question of can I go faster?  Or should I go longer?

Ever since my college days I've dreamed of thru-hiking the Appalachian Trail.  Several years ago the dream became much more real when my semi-son did it after he graduated from high school.  Then, in recent years I've considered the Pacific Coast Trail as an alternative.  But I'm afraid these just may be too much for too long . . . each would take 6 months or more of constant hiking with a pack.  That most likely would be too much for my body.

But my last "bucket list" challenge has been to complete the "Last Annual Volunteer State Run," a 314 mile adventure requiring you average ~31 miles a day for 10 days.  That would mean hard hiking 12 hours a day for 10 days in mid-summer across Tennessee (actually you cover Missouri, Kentucky, Tennessee, and finally Georgia).  Actually, I understand it's quite a bit harder than it sounds . . . but to me it just might be doable!  Maybe not finish in the 10 days allotted . . . but it is possible I could finish!!!!  If I chose this option, I wouldn't be able to share it with friends . . . I would be alone virtually the whole way.  That would be a plus for the Richmond Marathon.  I just don't know.

Anyway . . . I'm thinking.  Or . . . realistically I'm just dreaming.

Realistically I just need to move on and quit dreaming about being able to do any of these.  They just aren't realistic.

See . . . there are good days too!

Yesterday, I met Joe Bunn and Andy Barker at the Y and we walked 5k at lunch.  Some hip pain near the last 1/2 mile but the pain didn't "set in" after the walk.  And this morning my hip feels "normal."  Hopefully walking will be an okay alternative.  I still don't plan to run again . . . but maybe this walking will work for me!  If not, I'll keep trying to find alternatives. 

• Biking just scares me (cars) so that is out!  
• Swimming sort of works.  Maybe if I keep trying . . . my shoulder will strengthen up and make it less painful.

Anyway . . . maybe walking is an answer!

If anyone has any suggestions for another aerobic exercise please let me know.

It's been great . . .

Folks . . . I don't want this blog post to be a downer.  I want it to be a celebration of sorts.  True, in my running life I have only very minor things to celebrate for most folks but for me, I feel good about everything.  I'm happy!   But I've had a couple of folks asking what was going on with me and I thought something was called for.

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Running has been a part of my life for many years.  Damn . . . it seems like my whole life!

I started running back in 1975 or 1976 (I believe!!).  I was a smoker, overweight and wanted to turn my life around.  So I stopped smoking . . . then I began running.  And I've kept running pretty much ever since.

My favorite runs were trail runs . . . I just plain love running in the woods and in the mountains.  So many memories of awesome runs.  Especially on Bay's Mountain near Kingsport, Tennessee.  Such a GREAT place to run and enjoy the woods!  Plus, I love running is bad weather . . . running in the rain . . . and snow . . . really cold weather and really hot weather!  Soooo much fun!!

There was a ~10 year period where I had knee pain and had to give up on my running on doctor's advice, thinking I had arthritis and a knee replacement was in my future.  Luckily I discovered a way to begin running again without any surgery.  And so I started back running . . . a lot!  Lots of aches and pains through the years . . . a few knee surgeries and a hip surgery to name a few.  But I pretty much was close to 100%!

But now it is looking like I've run my last run . . . even short distances seem to be out.  My foot issues have plagued me since falling off of a ladder several years ago and now it seems my hip problems have returned and any running just causes too much pain for days and days.  I don't need to see a doctor to have a pretty good idea as to what is going on.  Oh . . . I will see a doctor fairly soon but I know pretty much what's ahead.  And I know my running days need to end.  So I'll just stop running.

Maybe I will find a solution to my hip problem that will allow me to run later.  Never say never.  But right now it's looking like my running days are over.  And I'm okay with that.

My running accomplishments are quite modest . . . embarrassingly few really!!  I was never a very good runner.  I really only competed with myself.  Honestly . . . if you ever considered me a competitive threat you just plain suck!!  Hahaha!

While I wasn't fast, I was very, very stubborn.  I was a pretty good at setting a personal goal and then working hard to achieve it.  Some goals I successfully achieved and a few I didn't.  But overall my running fulfilled a part of me.

I loved finishing races.  The last several years I was pretty much "DFL" in most races ("Dead Fu*king Last" for you non-runners!) but that never ever bothered me.  My goal was to finish.  And I usually did.  The only part about being last is I did feel sorry for the volunteers who had to wait for my sorry, slow ass to stumble across that finish line!

I found that I got way more personal satisfaction in finishing longer races than I ever did having a fast time on a shorter race.  5Ks and 10Ks just weren't nearly as rewarding as a marathon or longer.  I guess the challenge of the distance was what attracted me.  So the last segment of my running life was spent running longer distances marathons, 50Ks, 100Ks, 24 hour races, etc.

Anyway . . .  here are some of my personal achievements . . . don't laugh!  These were HARD for me . . . all but the last two.

• Best 5k time - 20:01  I believe this was in about 1986-7.
• Best marathon time - 3 hrs 58 minutes (clock time) at the Marine Corp Marathon in 1986.
• Completed ~114 runs of a marathon distance or longer
• Finished two 100 mile runs
• Best 24 miles covered - 62 miles
• After running hundreds of races, I FINALLY got an age group award or two in my 60s!!!  (Hahaha! I just had to out-live all those faster guys!!  Plus, find a really small races!!)
• I had fun
• I think I helped a few people either start running or to try and stretch their personal boundaries more than they thought they could and try some longer distances.   I think I'm most proud of these accomplishments.

No need to feel bad for me!  I've had a great time running . . . it's just time to turn the page and I've had a couple of people ask what was going on.

And who knows . . . maybe things will change.

A big thank you to each of you that have been one of my running friends.  Especially all the Nooners!  We had something very, very special!  I can't tell you how much you all have meant to me.  Runners are just plain great folks . . . and ultra runners just plain ROCK

My hope is that each of you continue running just as long as you can.  And do a special favor for me.  Go out and try to finish a race (or run) further than you ever have!!  Really GO FOR IT!  And let me know how you did!! 

Quick Update

Resolution Run 5k is over and I guess it was a success in my eyes.  I ram probably 3/4 of the distance . . . though very, very slowly!  My time was 39:52 or a 12:52 pace!  Without a doubt my slowest 5k EVER! 

But I do feel fairly good about those results.  My training consisted of 1-3 mile walks and one run of about 1 mile the day before!!  Not what you would really call "training."

I'm finding it difficult to do much real training. Partially a time problem but mostly a distance problem . . . the 6 inches between my ears!  I've got to develop a routine!!

Anyway . . . not much of a running update but it's all I got!

I did have a PRK procedure done on my left eye on Tuesday (Jan 6th). After the numbing drops wore off it hurt like a MOTHERF%&KER for several hours.  But then . . . withing 15 minutes the pain simply went away and hasn't returned!  Doctor thought that was odd . . . but lucky! Seems when they say "mildly uncomfortable" they really mean "this is going to really hurt."  Anyway, this is all behind me and I can't wait to see how much my vision in that eye has improved.  It had gotten quite bad after all those retina tears this last spring.

Contact comes out Friday and maybe then I'll be able to see . . . Hahaha!!

Next race . . . The Sweetheart 5kon February 14th!  Planning a sub 39!!!  Hahaha!!

Final foot update . . .

Just a quick update on my recovery from this last foot surgery.

Basically everything seems to be going great!  Only a little pain now.  The most troubling issue is the remaining foot numbness . . . essentially the whole foot is numb on the surface.  What can't the numbness continue deeper into the bones!!  Hahaha!  This really isn't a problem . . . it's just that it feels weird and gross to tough my foot . . . like putting lotion on that foot just about grosses me out!

I can walk with very little pain.  My longest walk so far has been 3.1 miles.  I ran a few steps and that didn't seem to cause me any additional pain.  This week my doctor has cleared me to run as I feel I can, but I'm taking it slow.  Okay . . . I always go slow!  That's not a news flash!

I'm still not wearing normal shoes.  I've tried it a few times but my foot starts to hurt after an hour or so. But wearing these Luna sandals with fleece tabby socks works just fine really.

So I plan to start 2015 running . . . and walking.  I've entered the Resolution Run 5k on New Years Day . . . I'll walk the vast majority since I haven't run more that 200 yards since surgery!  But I'll try to walk fast and run when I can.  We'll see what happens!  One step at a time.

Cleared to walk!

Yesterday was my first day cleared to try and walk normally!  And honestly walking normally wasn't a problem to do.  No physical therapy needed!!

Went to the Y to be with my Nooners buds. . . Andy, Carol, Joe and me!  My surgeon wanted me to keep my walks to no more than a mile and I was all about following his directions precisely. 

My friends let me set the pace since they knew I was very limited in what I could do!  I started with a decent pace (maybe a 20 minute mile pace) and stopped at one mile exactly!  Just like my doctor said!   Unfortunately that was about 1/2 mile from the Y so I just walked on back.  Let's call it a 1 mile walk with a cool down!  Sweet!

By the end I could feel some foot pain but not bad at all.  And today I feel fine all things considered!

Oddly . . . my toe has shrunk!

Not a huge amount but definitely noticeable. Without a doubt mt days of being a foot model are now behind me!  Unless of course there is a need for a model of weird looking feet!

But all things are looking pretty good right now.  I am limited to short walks through December but then maybe I'll be able to extend the distance some and increase the pace to an actual run!!  Hopefully so.

I seriously doubt if I'll be doing any long distance running again.  Maybe I will be able to . . . but most likely those days are gone.  Oddly . . . I'm not missing them though!  I believe it will be fun to keep my runs to 5-6 miles maximum.  Start running 5ks again!

What a weekend!

This last weekend was my 65th birthday weekend and for months Connie and I had made plans to go to the beach for an extended weekend.  Going to be a blast!  We were going to drive down Saturday morning and come back Tuesday.

Since we were going to be gone anyway, Connie offered James (our semi son), our "daughter in law" Cheryl and "grand daughter" Emily, the use of our lake house while we were gone.  James was ending his current job that Friday and a weekend away sounded great to them.

Last Monday, Connie told me she had talked to James and they wanted us to come to Raleigh Friday night to celebrate my birthday with them.  He said Emily was really excited.

Now I LOVE seeing all them- and am always hoping for a visit, but since it was the night before we were going to the beach, it just seemed like too much to try and work in.  Connie "called" them back, but they said Emily was really disappointed, and she thought we should go anyway . . . so, I agreed.

Connie and I spent two days cleaning up the lakehouse.  Now . . . truth is it NEEDED a good cleaning and Connie did most of the work anyway!  Friday I was freaking out doing the final things and Connie called and asked if I could pick her up at 1:30 as she needed to go by Great Outdoor Provision Company and look for a jacket, and our daughter Laurie was going to actually get it in Vail where she gets a  discount.  So . . . I finished up as best as I could and went to pick her up.  On the way to Raleigh, Laurie called to apologize for not sending me a birthday card in time.

Connie and I got to Great Outdoor and started trying on coat after coat.  Probably 5 or 6.  I was hanging up the most recent coat she didn't like, and a guy behind me asked if we needed any help.  I said, "No thanks!  We're just looking . . . " and turned to look at him.  It was my son Michael, who was supposed to be in San Antonio, TX, after spending the week in DC for his job!  Turns out he had planned to finish in DC , and took the train down to Rocky Mount the night before!  Wow!  What an awesome surprise!  So great seeing him!!  Guess Connie's and my weekend was going to include him too!  His new wife Aly is a volleyball coach for Trinity University and she couldn't come since they had their conference tournament this weekend (and yes . . . they won their conference and now it's on to the regionals!)

Michael said Cheryl and Emily were waiting for us at the Village Draft House, and James would meet us later.  Since I'm having trouble walking very much right now, Michael said he would drive me, but Connie said she would walk.

Michael let me out in front of the restaurant and Connie came walking up about the same time.  But she walked up to one of the outside tables where a young lady was sitting by herself with her back to me.  I walked up and the lady turned around and said "Hi Dad!"

That's right . . . my daughter Laurie was there!  She had flown in from Vail, Colorado for the weekend!

Laurie, Emily and the weekend's rock star . . . Connie!

Emily and Laurie at breakfast Sunday.

James

Turns out James, Cheryl and Emily really were planning to come to the lake . . . but we were all going to be there together again!!  Connie had been planning this for months!  So many lies!  So much stupidity on my part!

And Connie had Allen Hinnant, a good running buddy of mine and professional photographer to come take every one's picture Saturday morning. After the photo session was over, they had a boat trip planned to go have lunch at our family's favorite waterside restaurant, so we piled the blankets on and away we went for a great time.  All Emily asked was that we go "REALLY, REALLY FAST!!" . . . and so we did!

Saturday night they planned a big dinner of beef and chicken teriyaki and birthday cake!  But this wasn't going to be just ANY birthday cake.  This was going to be a super Rainbow Cake . . . a family tradition in Connie's family . . . and now ours!  Normally each layer of the cake is a bright color and the cake is iced with a creamy, super sweet pastel green, yellow or blue icing!!

But this cake was totally unique.  Connie had baked 65 little colored  rectangular cakes, which she, Laurie, Cheryl and Emily put together with green, blue and yellow  icing to make a HUGE cake! It took 2  hours to finish the  masterpiece after many hours of baking the days before.

Cheryl. Emily and Connie hard at work!

Laurie, Emily and Cheryl putting the beast together!!

Chief Engineer Connie and assistant Laurie

Cheryl, Michael and James trying to set fire to our house!!

Of course "Bubba Teeth" had to play a key role!

Every slice was different and had multiple colors!  So cool!

Cheryl and Emily. . . could they be more awesome?

Michael and Emily . . . these two are just about inseparable!!

Have a "slice" of Rainbow Cake!

So beautiful . . . and it tastes damn good!!

So . . . now I've had 65 birthdays.  Some better than others. But without a doubt . . . this one was the best ever!  Nothing like having your family (except Aly) all together with you for some awesome family time!  It was PERFECT!  Thanks to everyone but especially Connie for making it all happen!

65 and counting!

Here is the first view . . .

Okay I got my unveiling today and honestly the toe/s look better than I expected.  I'll just show the x-ray today as the toes need to be cleaned up and I can't do that until tomorrow.  They took my stitches out today (about 20-25) and the doctor said to wait a day before I clean everything up.  But he was pleased with what he saw and said everything seems to be healing nicely.  I still have to keep all weight on my heel for another month.  Not a problem for me to do since it hurts like hell when I happen to put a little pressure on it!

So here is what the x-ray looks like.  The operation was on my 5th toe (little toe).  You can see my new screw and you can see where he cut off the head of my metatarsal.  You can sort of see how he joined my 4th and 5th toes together but I'll post a picture tomorrow.

I simply can't wait!

I feel like a kid waiting for Christmas to see what Santa brought him / her!

But I'm not getting any presents.  No . . . this coming Monday I get to see my new toe / toes! 

I'm having trouble imagining what this new digit is going to look like.  All I know is that the surgeon said he webbed my 5th toe to my 4th toe for support.  When we were talking about what he was going to do in the surgery, this was enough for me to know.  But now I'm getting curious as to what the final product will look like . . . not that it really matters.  All that really matters is does the foot work okay.  That is important.  Looks???  No so much!

But now that the unveiling is getting close I am getting excited.

Will the webbing make it look like a single really wide toe?  Will there be two toenails?  Will the webbing be at the bottom and the joined toes won't be obvious at all?

Heck . . . I have no idea!!!  But you can bet that Monday night I will put a picture of the "new" toe/s in a new blog post!

So stay tuned!

That was a good nap

(After my foot surgery last Tuesday, this conversation was overheard . . .)


"Wow!  That was a sound sleep . . . but I'm feeling a little woozy!  Just can't clear my head . . .  Really weird!"

"Would you keep it down, my head is splitting and and I'm really hurting all over!  And by the way . . . who the hell are you, and what are you doing in my house?"
,
"Who the hell are you and what are you doing in MY house?  I live here alone, so you must be an intruder!  Leave now or I'll shoot!!"

"Who the hell am I???  They call me '#5' . . .some call me "Pinky""  Who the hell are you?  You sound like my neighbor, #4?  Are YOU #4??"

"Damn right I'm #4 and I live here.  So get the hell out of my house!  By the way, how on earth did you get here  #5?  You live next door!  How did you get inside my house?"

"Me inside YOUR house?  No dude . . . you're in MY house!  But I'm not freakin' out about it!  Actually I'm hoping you might give me some support.  I mean . . . we've always gotten along.  And we were in those last two operations together.  This master of ours is a piece of work . . . cutting us all up!  Twice now!  And it feels like I may have gone through a 3rd time!!"

"Yea . . . we have been having a tough time of it.  Maybe we would be better if we teamed up and helped each other out, Pinky!"

"That's what I'm thinking, #4!"

"I really do believe you are in my home #5 . . . or maybe our two homes have somehow just been joined into one"

"I don't know man!  This is all just so strange.  My head is 'woosy'!  I want to see what this place looks like now!"

"You can't right now #4.  It's dark in here.  Usually we get some light . . . but  now it's just always dark."

"Yea . . . it is.  I really wanted to see what we look like together, Pinky."

"Me too!  We were both pretty handsome before all this.  If we join up we're BOUND to be twice as good looking!"

"If we're going to be living this close together we better figure out some "house rules."  Like when one of us goes to bed, we both do!  You know . . . stuff like that!"

"Yea . . . we need to work on those #4.  But right now . . . I'm just dying here . . . my head feels like they put a screw all the way through my head and down to almost my metatarsal.  And I can't even feel the head of my metatarsal  It's like it used to be there but now it gone.   But it still hurts like hell . . . even worse than before.  I need to heal up before we do too much planning.  But for right now #4 . . . do you think you could shut up and let me heal???  We can admire ourselves later . . . once the lights come on!"

Recent Events

"Hurry Slowly . . . but Hurry" posts have been lacking lately.  Primarily due to the fact that I simply have nothing of interest or importance to pass along.  So when you have nothing to say . . . say nothing!

Running has been almost non-existent.  I may work in a run each week or so . . . maybe 2 miles.  But just not running.  Yea . . . my foot does still hurt some but that isn't the reason for my slacking.  Honestly, I just don't feel like running.  So I'm not!  Its that simple.  Hopefully this "funk" I've been in will pass and I'll soon feel like picking running back up some.  But right now I'm happy doing what I'm doing . . . pretty much nothing!

And honestly . . . this not running seems to agree with me!  I've lost a significant amount of weight . . . down to 194-197 or so.  And I'm physically feeling good, though I sure can tell I'm not in good shape.  I don't want this reduction in conditioning to drop too far.

My foot is still messed up . . . after two surgeries.  I changed doctors to a foot specialist in Raleigh who examined me and suggested surgery again, though he wasn't really encouraging about the possible outcomes.  He sees the alignment between my 5th metatarsal and phalanges is out and the spacing between the bones look too close indicating arthritis.  He thought there would be a 50% chance of significant improvement, a 40% chance there would be no noticeable improvement and a smaller chance that my foot would hurt worse after the surgery.  So I don't see enough up-side potential to try surgery again.  And it's not like my foot is really all that bad.  I'll just put up with it.

Additionally, I started volunteering at a local elementary school as a math tutor for 3rd graders.  It's been a blast.  Not sure how much I've really help any "get it" with some of the things they are doing . . . but they seem to like the sessions almost as much as I like doing them.  I'm thinking about adding another 1/2 day and help with reading.

Bottom line, I'm trying to add more meaningful things to my days and I'll hopefully find some things that can really help some folks . . . and make me feel better too!!