Fist off I want to apologize for not being around to support you who have been there for me in the past. I have been extremely busy, but am not making any excuses. A new firewall went up at work and I can’t access anything related to Blogs there. Not that I only did this at work, but with training and my train commute, I am really short on time lately. I also have a friend who is going through a divorce and we had opened our home up to him for the past few weeks until he could find a place for himself. I need to get a new smart phone so I can use my time on the train to catch up with everyone. I promise to be better, please don’t be mad at me.
Marathon training has been going well, with the exception of a self diagnosis of foot/toe pain I have been experiencing. I think I may have Morton’s Neuroma. It is a painful shooting pain that feels like electrical impulses shooting through my toes and often feels like a tingling sensation. After the marathon, I need to have this checked out and diagnosed by my doctor for sure. In the mean time, I loosened my laces in the toe box and am hoping for the best.
This past Saturday I ran the Wisconsin ½ Marathon in Kenosha. I was hoping for a sub 2:00 time but it wasn’t in the cards this time. I am proud to say I finished officially with 2:02:16. I ran with a running buddy of mine, Billy, who ran his first ½ marathon. He has been training with my wife and I over the past months and we talked him into running the Madison Marathon with us since he was doing all the training runs anyway. He did very well and finished with 1:57:34. The course itself was a little rough on some of the roads and I don’t think I have seen so many potholes ever. It made a great obstacle course trying to avoid the bigger ruts and not get injured. The weather was a little warm and pretty humid for this time of year. The wind coming of Lake Michigan helped cool things down but also caused another challenge.
One of the highlights of the race was that I got the chance to meet Kim and her husband Steven. They both live pretty close to me in the suburbs and ironically we both work in downtown Chicago. It was really great to meet them both. Kim had a rough go at the race, but she pulled through and ended up doing great!
I have a 20 mile training run this weekend and then I am in taper mode. This week I will end up running 40 miles. I call this hell week, but am keeping my eye on the big picture. I know this will help me get used to the pounding it will take for the full marathon in Madison on May 30th.
Again, I truly am appreciative for all your comments and support. I promise to be better at reciprocating.
Sounds like you did well in the half in spite of your injury! Good luck on the 20 miler.
ReplyDeleteGood to have you back and good to hear things are going so well. Enjoy your last long run before the taper.
ReplyDeleteHi Tony,
ReplyDeleteWelcome back!! I was starting to worry about you...you have been missed:) Nice job on your half marathon! I love the pictures of you with your bling:) I experienced pain like you have during my first half marathon. My toes hurt so bad and it felt like shooting pain/electrical impulses!! It stayed around for my second half marathon but has gone away..thank goodness. I hope that this pain goes away for you and that you will be fine for your marathon. It is good to have my Chicago Italian friend back to Blogland:)
Getting so close to that elusive sub 2:00:00 - you will get there! Congratulations on the PR!
ReplyDeleteHi Tony...so potholes...your training plan didn't include hurdles? Just kidding. Great time on your half :)
ReplyDeleteBe careful with your feet. I recommend a foot bath.
Congrats on the half - sounds like you are right on track for Madison. Good luck with the 20 this week. Looking forward to seeing you in a few weeks! :)
ReplyDeleteDon't worry about going MIA for a bit! We all understand that real life is more important.
ReplyDeleteWith that being said, you did AWESOME at this race. Especially in the heat. (Was it really hot, or am I just saying that?).
Are you just staying away from the doc so they won't tell you not to do the full? :P
I love that pic where you are making a funny face.
It was great meeting you too!
No worries on the lack of blog stuffs.
ReplyDeleteYou know, being within 2 min of your goal time is REALLY good. Take care of those feet!
Congrats on your half! Sounds like you had fun. I wouldn't worry about the lack of blogging, we all do it.
ReplyDeleteI really hope your feet issues turn out ok!
Hey don't worry about not being around--I can't believe it's taken me this long to visit and see how you did with your half. Not that I wasn't thinking about you because I was and I saw Kim's pics! You did great despite some challenging conditions! Wow taper time!
ReplyDeleteCongrats on the PB. Great pics have fun on the long run
ReplyDeleteKeep up the good work, and as I know life can get in the way of blogging and even running itself.
ReplyDeleteUm...I apologize for nothing being there, too! Great job on your half, that had to feel good!! Good luck with your full this weekend - yahooo!!
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry to hear about the foot pain. It sounds like you are going to be well prepared for you race though. Keep up the good work.
ReplyDeleteHi Tony,
ReplyDeleteGood luck this weekend!! I will be cheering for you! Remember to have fun too! I can't wait for your race report!
Good race report, it is detailed and entertaining. I want to read a race report like this. Good job!!!
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