Quote: "There will always be storms. Challenges are abundant. Life is better when we accept them, stop wishing them away and start believing in ourselves. After all, something on the horizon is coming either way." --Dave Griffin, from the article "After the Last PR," Running Times Magazine, January/February 2011, pg 59.
The above quote struck a chord with my current storm; I no longer cough up blood, but still occasionally spit up blood during my runs. Last Monday I visited my new primary health care provider, Kyra Norris, she had scheduled me for my next cat scan in six months, gave me an array of blood tests, and scheduled me to see a Ear, Nose & Throat Consultant, Dr. James H Heroy III, M.d., F.A.C.S. on Wednesday. Wednesday I visited Dr. Heroy and he gave me a throat exam and discovered a lump at the back of my tongue near my larynx, which should have a biopsy...my next visit is scheduled for March 15th. Working with my HMO does take time.
My weight today is 176.5 on my six foot frame! The weight is coming off very slowly, which is going according to plan as I strive to lose 1-2 pounds per week. My belonging to about.com's weight loss challenge helps me stay on track with losing weight. I'm striving to reach 170 pounds during my base building period.
Last week I ran a total of 30 miles, which is the most weekly miles this year! My mileage base is still being built toward that 60 mpw goal that I have set for myself, but I have to admit something is going to have to give for me to accomplish more mileage...I may have to start cutting out some of my crosstraining as to allow more time for running. Perhaps eventually running "doubles?!?" Working twelve hour shifts as a cab driver is problematic, but with strict scheduling and persistence, I should still accomplish my goals without sacrificing sleep in the process. Last week's training:
Monday: Easy Run, 3 miles. Swam 20 laps.
Tuesday: Easy Run, 5 miles. Upper body weight circuit training.
Wednesday: REST DAY
Thursday: Easy Run, 4 miles. Swam 25 laps.
Friday: Easy Run, 5 miles. Upper body weight circuit training.
Saturday: Easy Medium-Long Run, 9 miles. Cycling, 30 minutes.
Sunday: Easy Run, 4 miles.
Total Weekly Mileage: 30 miles.
Sunday, February 27, 2011
Sunday, February 20, 2011
Base Building, February 14-20, 2011
Quote: "...too many people never realize that sacrifice is a requirement of life. You either sacrifice today to reach tomorrow's goals, or you give up your dreams in favor of the fleeting comfort that's distracting you. The pleasant reality, for those who choose the former, is that comfort is abundant when long-term goals are achieved." --Dave Griffin, from the article "After the Last PR," Running Times Magazine, January/February 2011, pg 59.
My current health goals are to reach 170 pounds, build my mileage base to 60 miles per week, and improve my overall fitness.
My weight today is 177.1 pounds on my six foot frame, just about seven more pounds to lose! The closer I approach my weight goal, the tougher the pounds are to lose. I've been making plenty of sacrifices with my sweet tooth last week, and suffered watching my wife eat a bowl of chocolate ice cream last night! The about.com running forum's weight loss competition ends on May 29th, and I should easily reach my weight goal if I can maintain a one pound loss per week.
My mileage base is slowly adding up and last week ran for a total of 27 miles. No hurry on reaching my 60 mpw goal as I have no races planned in the near future...I keep striving to improve by baby steps, baby steps, because mas most running injuries are due to running too much, too fast. All my runs are easy, about 9-10 minute miles at 60-70% of my maximum heart rate. The following is my effort last week:
Monday: Easy Run, 3 miles. Swam 20 laps.
Tuesday: Easy Run, 5 miles. Upper body weight circuit training.
Wednesday: REST DAY
Thursday: Easy Run, 3 miles. Swam 25 laps.
Friday: Easy Run, 5 miles. Upper body weight circuit training.
Saturday: Easy Run, 8 miles. Cycling, 30 minutes.
Sunday: Easy Run, 3 miles.
Total Weekly Mileage: 27 miles.
Tomorrow morning at 8:00 a.m. (I'm NOT a morning person) I'll be visiting Dr Kyra Norris for the first time...she's my new HMO primary care doctor and will schedule me for my next cat scan as well as to check for other developments in my overall health. The last few weeks have been pretty dramatic for me as I haven't been to a doctor in many years and now I'm starting to feel my age.
My current health goals are to reach 170 pounds, build my mileage base to 60 miles per week, and improve my overall fitness.
My weight today is 177.1 pounds on my six foot frame, just about seven more pounds to lose! The closer I approach my weight goal, the tougher the pounds are to lose. I've been making plenty of sacrifices with my sweet tooth last week, and suffered watching my wife eat a bowl of chocolate ice cream last night! The about.com running forum's weight loss competition ends on May 29th, and I should easily reach my weight goal if I can maintain a one pound loss per week.
My mileage base is slowly adding up and last week ran for a total of 27 miles. No hurry on reaching my 60 mpw goal as I have no races planned in the near future...I keep striving to improve by baby steps, baby steps, because mas most running injuries are due to running too much, too fast. All my runs are easy, about 9-10 minute miles at 60-70% of my maximum heart rate. The following is my effort last week:
Monday: Easy Run, 3 miles. Swam 20 laps.
Tuesday: Easy Run, 5 miles. Upper body weight circuit training.
Wednesday: REST DAY
Thursday: Easy Run, 3 miles. Swam 25 laps.
Friday: Easy Run, 5 miles. Upper body weight circuit training.
Saturday: Easy Run, 8 miles. Cycling, 30 minutes.
Sunday: Easy Run, 3 miles.
Total Weekly Mileage: 27 miles.
Tomorrow morning at 8:00 a.m. (I'm NOT a morning person) I'll be visiting Dr Kyra Norris for the first time...she's my new HMO primary care doctor and will schedule me for my next cat scan as well as to check for other developments in my overall health. The last few weeks have been pretty dramatic for me as I haven't been to a doctor in many years and now I'm starting to feel my age.
Sunday, February 13, 2011
Restarted Base Building Mileage
Quote: "I never once believed that someone or something else was responsible for my success. Running taught me long ago that there's danger in that kind of thinking. The moment you leave your future in the hands of things outside of your control is the moment you place it in the hands of circumstance. And circumstance doesn't much care about your success." --Dave Griffin, from the article "After the Last PR," Running Times Magazine, January/February 2011, pg 59.
Last week I restarted my base building after a short hiatus due to resting my lungs. All my mileage was easy running within the heart rate zones of 60-70% of my MHR (maximum heart rate.) The following is a short sketch of my exercising:
Monday: Easy Run, 3 miles. Swam 20 laps.
Tuesday: Easy Run, 4 miles. Upper body weight circuit training.
Wednesday: REST DAY
Thursday: Easy Run, 3 miles. Swam 25 laps.
Friday: Easy Run, 4 miles. Upper body weight circuit training.
Saturday: Easy Run, 6 miles. Cycling, 30 minutes.
Sunday: Easy Run, 3 miles.
Total Weekly Mileage: 23 miles.
Next week I plan on continuing the slow process of building my base running mileage with easy aerobic running as well as losing more weight. I also will continue to crosstrain in a variety of disciplines. I viewed an interesting video called, Learn How to Skip Rope, and I'm considering purchasing a jump rope...even though I was a total klutz when I was young and couldn't jump rope! I'm thinking during a slow night at the airport's cab holding area I could jump rope.
My wife gave me a $50.00 Border Books Gift Card for my birthday and I quickly spent it on books and exercise magazines! I purchased the book, "Performance Nutrition for Runners," by Matt Fitzgerald, which I hope will help me eat cleaner, perform better, and perhaps lose a few more pounds. Last week I joined a weight loss competition that's on my favorite running forum site, called about.com Running & Jogging Forum. I hope Fitzgerald's book will be helpful in that endeavour.
Last Sunday my weight was 178.8, today it's 177.9, almost a whole pound! My strategy is to lose one or two pounds per week as to reach my racing weight of 170 pounds. The weight loss competition ends on May 29th, and if I lose one pound per week I could be less than 170 pounds on my six foot frame by that date!
I purchased another chess book, I know I already have over 3,000 chess books, but I just had to have the recent book on Bobby Fischer, "Bobby Fischer’s Remarkable Rise and Fall — From America’s Brightest Prodigy to the Edge of Madness." by Frank Brady. Should make fascinating reading when I'm in my cab during those long waits in line.
Last week I restarted my base building after a short hiatus due to resting my lungs. All my mileage was easy running within the heart rate zones of 60-70% of my MHR (maximum heart rate.) The following is a short sketch of my exercising:
Monday: Easy Run, 3 miles. Swam 20 laps.
Tuesday: Easy Run, 4 miles. Upper body weight circuit training.
Wednesday: REST DAY
Thursday: Easy Run, 3 miles. Swam 25 laps.
Friday: Easy Run, 4 miles. Upper body weight circuit training.
Saturday: Easy Run, 6 miles. Cycling, 30 minutes.
Sunday: Easy Run, 3 miles.
Total Weekly Mileage: 23 miles.
Next week I plan on continuing the slow process of building my base running mileage with easy aerobic running as well as losing more weight. I also will continue to crosstrain in a variety of disciplines. I viewed an interesting video called, Learn How to Skip Rope, and I'm considering purchasing a jump rope...even though I was a total klutz when I was young and couldn't jump rope! I'm thinking during a slow night at the airport's cab holding area I could jump rope.
My wife gave me a $50.00 Border Books Gift Card for my birthday and I quickly spent it on books and exercise magazines! I purchased the book, "Performance Nutrition for Runners," by Matt Fitzgerald, which I hope will help me eat cleaner, perform better, and perhaps lose a few more pounds. Last week I joined a weight loss competition that's on my favorite running forum site, called about.com Running & Jogging Forum. I hope Fitzgerald's book will be helpful in that endeavour.
Last Sunday my weight was 178.8, today it's 177.9, almost a whole pound! My strategy is to lose one or two pounds per week as to reach my racing weight of 170 pounds. The weight loss competition ends on May 29th, and if I lose one pound per week I could be less than 170 pounds on my six foot frame by that date!
I purchased another chess book, I know I already have over 3,000 chess books, but I just had to have the recent book on Bobby Fischer, "Bobby Fischer’s Remarkable Rise and Fall — From America’s Brightest Prodigy to the Edge of Madness." by Frank Brady. Should make fascinating reading when I'm in my cab during those long waits in line.
Saturday, February 5, 2011
Result of Cat Scan
Daily Quote: Definition: "nodule" In medicine, a nodule refers to a relatively hard, roughly spherical abnormal structure. Nodules may form on tendons and muscles in response to injury. The vocal cords may also develop nodules. Nodules are normally benign and often painless, although they can affect the functioning of the organ. --Wikipedia
Received the following on my personal site in "SMA Health Online:"
CT CHEST WITH CONTRAST:
ACCESSION #: 5090314 - CT CHEST WITH CONTRAST
TECHNIQUE: Iodinated contrast was administered and spiral CT imaging
performed through the chest.
FINDINGS: There is a single 6 mm nodule noted in the right lung base
on image #56. If the patient does not have any history of carcinoma
and is not a nonsmoker then a followup CT in six months is all that is
needed to ensure stability. If there is high-risk or smoker, then a CT
scan should be performed in three months without contrast to exclude
change. No other nodules are identified. The lungs are clear
otherwise. There is no adenopathy. The mediastinal structures are
normal. The upper abdominal organs where imaged are normal.
IMPRESSION: Single nodule in the right lung base. See above report for
details. Followup is needed.
I already have an appointment with my primary care doctor, Dr. Kyra Norris, for February 21st and will have another CT scan scheduled in the next 3-6 months.
I've returned to running today, a short, easy three miler, at 9:56 mile pace. Heart rate in the aerobic zone of 62-66% of my MHR. NO ILL EFFECTS!! Not only did I not cough up blood, I didn't even cough. I will continue easy running for the next couple of weeks to allow myself to fully heal.
Received the following on my personal site in "SMA Health Online:"
CT CHEST WITH CONTRAST:
ACCESSION #: 5090314 - CT CHEST WITH CONTRAST
TECHNIQUE: Iodinated contrast was administered and spiral CT imaging
performed through the chest.
FINDINGS: There is a single 6 mm nodule noted in the right lung base
on image #56. If the patient does not have any history of carcinoma
and is not a nonsmoker then a followup CT in six months is all that is
needed to ensure stability. If there is high-risk or smoker, then a CT
scan should be performed in three months without contrast to exclude
change. No other nodules are identified. The lungs are clear
otherwise. There is no adenopathy. The mediastinal structures are
normal. The upper abdominal organs where imaged are normal.
IMPRESSION: Single nodule in the right lung base. See above report for
details. Followup is needed.
I already have an appointment with my primary care doctor, Dr. Kyra Norris, for February 21st and will have another CT scan scheduled in the next 3-6 months.
I've returned to running today, a short, easy three miler, at 9:56 mile pace. Heart rate in the aerobic zone of 62-66% of my MHR. NO ILL EFFECTS!! Not only did I not cough up blood, I didn't even cough. I will continue easy running for the next couple of weeks to allow myself to fully heal.
Sunday, January 30, 2011
Coughing Up Blood
Daily Quote: "CT scanning—sometimes called CAT scanning—is a noninvasive medical test that helps physicians diagnose and treat medical conditions.CT scanning combines special x-ray equipment with sophisticated computers to produce multiple images or pictures of the inside of the body. These cross-sectional images of the area being studied can then be examined on a computer monitor, printed or transferred to a CD." --radiologyinfo.org
Sunday, Janurary 23: I had been coughing up blood during and after my runs for the last four days and have determined that this is not going away and will need to see a doctor. Searching the internet for causes and discovered 124 possible causes. The color of my blood is very bright red about 1/2 teaspoon after every cough (several coughs during those running episodes.) The coughing lasts until my heart rate returns to normal, which is less than five minutes. I don't cough any other times after my running.
Monday, January 24: Since I haven't seen a doctor in many years had to contact my HMO (Health Plan of Nevada) for a primary care doctor. My HMO had me on hold on the phone for three hours! They finally had given me a primary care doctor who is looking for new patients by the name of Dr. Norris at Southwest Medical. Unfortunately, her receptionist says the earliest my doctor can see me is February 21st at 8:00 a.m. The receptionist highly suggested I contact my HMO's "24 Hour Advice Nurse" to allow me immediate urgent care.
Finally contacted my HMO's 24 Hour Advice Nurse, who told me to rush to Southwest Medical Urgent Care on Charleston Boulevard and see UC Provider, Dr. Robert Hanser, DO. The doctor took my vital signs, x-ray tests, and health history. Since I only cough blood when I'm running, the doctor considered that I might have EIA (exercise induced asthma) and prescribed me an albuterol sulfate inhaler. He told me that the results of the x-ray would take about 24 hours and that they would contact me about the results.
Tuesday, January 24: My wife called my cell phone after she came home from work stating that Southwest Medical Radiology had left me a message on my home answering machine when I was working. Since it's late I won't be able to return Southwest Medical's call until tomorrow.
Wednesday, January 25: Contacted Southwest Medical Radiology as soon as I awoke. During the examinations of my x-rays they noticed a red blotch in the middle of my right lung...and I need to schedule a Cat Scan as soon as possible. The "nodule" is very disconcerting as it probably disagrees with the guess of my having EIA. I'm scheduled for a Cat Scan on February 2nd at 7:00 a.m.
Not much I can do until the Cat Scan. I have been reducing the length and intensities of my runs as to avoid stressing my lungs.
Sunday, Janurary 23: I had been coughing up blood during and after my runs for the last four days and have determined that this is not going away and will need to see a doctor. Searching the internet for causes and discovered 124 possible causes. The color of my blood is very bright red about 1/2 teaspoon after every cough (several coughs during those running episodes.) The coughing lasts until my heart rate returns to normal, which is less than five minutes. I don't cough any other times after my running.
Monday, January 24: Since I haven't seen a doctor in many years had to contact my HMO (Health Plan of Nevada) for a primary care doctor. My HMO had me on hold on the phone for three hours! They finally had given me a primary care doctor who is looking for new patients by the name of Dr. Norris at Southwest Medical. Unfortunately, her receptionist says the earliest my doctor can see me is February 21st at 8:00 a.m. The receptionist highly suggested I contact my HMO's "24 Hour Advice Nurse" to allow me immediate urgent care.
Finally contacted my HMO's 24 Hour Advice Nurse, who told me to rush to Southwest Medical Urgent Care on Charleston Boulevard and see UC Provider, Dr. Robert Hanser, DO. The doctor took my vital signs, x-ray tests, and health history. Since I only cough blood when I'm running, the doctor considered that I might have EIA (exercise induced asthma) and prescribed me an albuterol sulfate inhaler. He told me that the results of the x-ray would take about 24 hours and that they would contact me about the results.
Tuesday, January 24: My wife called my cell phone after she came home from work stating that Southwest Medical Radiology had left me a message on my home answering machine when I was working. Since it's late I won't be able to return Southwest Medical's call until tomorrow.
Wednesday, January 25: Contacted Southwest Medical Radiology as soon as I awoke. During the examinations of my x-rays they noticed a red blotch in the middle of my right lung...and I need to schedule a Cat Scan as soon as possible. The "nodule" is very disconcerting as it probably disagrees with the guess of my having EIA. I'm scheduled for a Cat Scan on February 2nd at 7:00 a.m.
Not much I can do until the Cat Scan. I have been reducing the length and intensities of my runs as to avoid stressing my lungs.
Sunday, January 23, 2011
A New Year
Daily Quote: "January is a great time to set aside a few days to reassess your personal running vision. Throw out the old; bring in the new." --Jeff Galloway, Olympic runner; writer.
I haven't been posting in this blog because of a bad computer motherboard, plus not much has been happening in my running as I'm very slowly adding more base mileage; ran only 28 miles last week.
Last year, 2010, I made a New Year's Resolution to run more races, therefore decided on running the Las Vegas Competition Series that had a race every month...ran only nine of those series' races due to a sore right hip flexor. The LVTC Competition Series was fun as I ran a variety of races, 5k, 4 mile, 10k, cross-country, and half marathon. Also ran my first ultra race, "The Labor of Love 50k Race," when I took 1st Place in the 50-59 year old division. 2010 was a very busy racing year!
I didn't make any New Year's Resolutions this year. My right hip flexor is much better, nevertheless, I think it would be more prudent if I don't race as much this year. My overall plan this year is to become a stronger, leaner, running machine. I'm currently 175 pounds on a six foot frame, but would like to weigh 165 pounds with less body fat. How should I reach that weight goal? I definitely need to focus on making healthier food choices with smaller portions and I also should put more focus on weight training. Would like to experiment with other crosstraining activities too such as rowing machines and maybe even ice skating.
I'll be 59 years old on February 7th, which means this is the last year I'll be in the 50-59 year old age division. Next year I WILL be running the 2012 Las Vegas Competition Series as a monster in the over 60 year old division!!
I haven't been posting in this blog because of a bad computer motherboard, plus not much has been happening in my running as I'm very slowly adding more base mileage; ran only 28 miles last week.
Last year, 2010, I made a New Year's Resolution to run more races, therefore decided on running the Las Vegas Competition Series that had a race every month...ran only nine of those series' races due to a sore right hip flexor. The LVTC Competition Series was fun as I ran a variety of races, 5k, 4 mile, 10k, cross-country, and half marathon. Also ran my first ultra race, "The Labor of Love 50k Race," when I took 1st Place in the 50-59 year old division. 2010 was a very busy racing year!
I didn't make any New Year's Resolutions this year. My right hip flexor is much better, nevertheless, I think it would be more prudent if I don't race as much this year. My overall plan this year is to become a stronger, leaner, running machine. I'm currently 175 pounds on a six foot frame, but would like to weigh 165 pounds with less body fat. How should I reach that weight goal? I definitely need to focus on making healthier food choices with smaller portions and I also should put more focus on weight training. Would like to experiment with other crosstraining activities too such as rowing machines and maybe even ice skating.
I'll be 59 years old on February 7th, which means this is the last year I'll be in the 50-59 year old age division. Next year I WILL be running the 2012 Las Vegas Competition Series as a monster in the over 60 year old division!!
Sunday, December 5, 2010
2010 Rock 'n' Roll Las Vegas Marathon
Daily Quote: "Gatorade and banana peels replaced the empty beer bottles that typically crowd newspaper racks. The only strip show involved athletes shedding sweatshirts as the sun peaked over the casinos." --Las Vegas Review Journal, December 6, 2010, article "28,000 Take Part in Las Vegas Marathon."
Awoke early for my half marathon, 5:00 a.m., as to allow a small breakfast and to prepare for the 7:00 a.m. start. Left home 45 minutes early as to assure a parking spot, but the only parking I could find was at the New York, New York Hotel and Casino about 1/2 mile from the starting line. Due to the crush of humanity couldn't reach my Corral #3 in time, had to settle for Corral #22. Didn't really matter as I had plan to run this race as a fun run as my right hip is iffy and missed alot of training due to the flu after my last 10k race. Besides, I gain points from the LVTC Competition Series if I just completed the half-marathon. I doubt that I could achieve a personal record in this event anyways as their wasn't much room to maneuver and couldn't find a clear path through the throngs of runners.
I couldn't ask for better weather at the start, 49 degrees, partly sunny, winds SSW at 9 mph, with a humidity of 41%...if anything, I wore too much as I had short tights and long sleeve technical shirt.
The race was fun due to the excitement and entertainment at most mile markers, plus it was entertaining just to watch my fellow racers in their variety of costumes. This race is more of an event rather than a competition for most runners.
I probably had too much fun as my finishing time was very slow, in fact the slowest half-marathon I've ever ran with a result of 2:10:56. Funny, but my right hip flexor only complained until after the race! Next year I would like to run this half marathon again, but with a more serious attitude.
This race was a nice victory lap to a very busy racing year.
Awoke early for my half marathon, 5:00 a.m., as to allow a small breakfast and to prepare for the 7:00 a.m. start. Left home 45 minutes early as to assure a parking spot, but the only parking I could find was at the New York, New York Hotel and Casino about 1/2 mile from the starting line. Due to the crush of humanity couldn't reach my Corral #3 in time, had to settle for Corral #22. Didn't really matter as I had plan to run this race as a fun run as my right hip is iffy and missed alot of training due to the flu after my last 10k race. Besides, I gain points from the LVTC Competition Series if I just completed the half-marathon. I doubt that I could achieve a personal record in this event anyways as their wasn't much room to maneuver and couldn't find a clear path through the throngs of runners.
I couldn't ask for better weather at the start, 49 degrees, partly sunny, winds SSW at 9 mph, with a humidity of 41%...if anything, I wore too much as I had short tights and long sleeve technical shirt.
The race was fun due to the excitement and entertainment at most mile markers, plus it was entertaining just to watch my fellow racers in their variety of costumes. This race is more of an event rather than a competition for most runners.
I probably had too much fun as my finishing time was very slow, in fact the slowest half-marathon I've ever ran with a result of 2:10:56. Funny, but my right hip flexor only complained until after the race! Next year I would like to run this half marathon again, but with a more serious attitude.
This race was a nice victory lap to a very busy racing year.
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