Progress is Progress

Well I haven't ran for 1 week. At my Dr. visit last week he prescribed me some meds and gave me lifts and patches to wear. My Achilles hasn't felt this good since last July. I am hoping it isn't false hope. I will run on it tonight. Slow and easy. Missing Moab really stung! Next is Buffalo on March 28th. Only doing the 25k so that should get me a good start. With all this damn snow, I may need snowshoes for the race. In the pool I am improving and still going twice a week. I just can't seem to figure it out though. Pretty frustrating but I can definitely feel the workout!

Tomorrow, Thursday February 19th, is the 4 year mark of the passing of my father. I sure do miss him. I wasn't running ultra's back then but I definitely feel him with me on my runs and races. He sure would have loved it himself. So tomorrow I will break my diet so I can have his favorite meal. It was like his desert. I will have a big fat cheeseburger, fry and chocolate shake. It may send my body into a tail spin but it will be more than worth it. To you dad, I miss you and love you !

Happy Anniversary to me.

Well today is my 5 year wedding anniversary! Lucky for me my wife has put up with me for that long. The lease is up and I am hoping she wants to keep me. I am pretty lucky, as many of you runners (and others) know, its really hard to do this thing without support, maybe even impossible. Thank you Melony, I love you!
On a side note, went to a Podiatrist yesterday and got a check up on the Achilles. So now I wear heal lifts, wear a patch on the area and am taking a steroid! Not anabolic so I don't need to worry about MLB testing, not that they would care. I am still pretty frustrated to I am keeping an appointment with a Orthopedic next week. I was told running was bad, really? I also hit the pool today and had my best workout yet, must be the adrenaline from my anniversary. Sad to say i will not be running Moab Saturday, very disappointed. This race helped get me through winter. Next up Buffalo run (I hope).
Good Luck to all in Moab this weekend. Keep your eye on Justin Ricks in the 50k. Good Luck to all my friends I train with!

Getting old.

It is getting old. I put in a solid run last night but the Achilles was in bad shape. I don't know what to do or what is going on. I am doing everything "by the book" and it seems like it is getting worse. I don't know if I am causing more damage or I just need to learn to deal with pain. I have heard so much about Achilles injuries and lengths of rehab but after 3 months of nothing and it still isn't better concerns me.
I got up his morning and braved the snow fall at 5:30 am, hit the pool and put in some laps. Swimming doesn't bother the Achilles at all which is no surprise but I want to run in the mountains. I set an appointment for a podiatrist tomorrow (wed) so I hope to get some answers. All I need know is what's going on. Ease my mind. I am missing Moab this weekend but I really want to be ready for Buffalo. I love the race and love the 25k. I am really hoping to get answers tomorrow. This is just getting old and frustrating.

Update

Well, its time to start posting a little bit more. I wanted to wait until things started to become more consistent. Right now I am swimming on Tues and Thurs. mornings and running 4 days a week. I am taking one day off a week. The miles are huge but the Achilles won't let me get into any sort of rhythm. Unfortunately I will be skipping the Moab race this year so my first race will be Buffalo run in March. After that, i am hoping to run the Spring Desert Ultra in April but time will tell. So far it seems my comfort of running hits a wall at about 7 miles at a 8:35 pace. For me that isn't bad and I don't want to go to far and risk re injuring the Achilles. Currently I am just playing it by pain. The swelling is there everyday as well as the lap around the kitchen every morning to loosen it up.
Good news, the PI-Smith team is really looking good. Lots of quality races for these amazing athletes. The new kits look fantastic and of course the PI stuff is first class.
My wife is tinkering withe the idea of running the 5 mile race at Spring Desert and i am very proud of the miles she is putting in. Before you know it she will be faster than her old hubby.
Expect more up to date posts and hopefully more miles.

Everyone outta the pool!

Whew! So today I tackled something not so new but very daunting. Swimming! So apparently you can't just jump in and go. I met my friend Duane (triathlete) at 6am for a swim. About the only thing I got right was I had goggles. The first day was all about breathing. Yes breathing. I would have never thought...breathing. Talk about tough. One thing I am fortunate for is Duane. He was incredibly helpful and very patient. I am guessing if he wasn't there things wouldn't have worked out so well. In fact, I bet the life guard would have jumped in to try and save me- not because I was drowning but because it looked like I was drowning. After a little over an hour in the pool I started to feel more comfortable and with a few more tweaks, practice and gear- I may have a chance to look a little more graceful and not use so much energy. All in all it was an incredible workout.
Next Tuesday will be part 2 of "Manners in the pool".

Slowly but surely.

It's been awhile since I posted but there hasn't been a whole lot going on. I have decided the Achilles issue will be there and I just need to be smart and take care of it while I run. The past few weeks I have put in some good running and I actually feel pretty good. The mileage isn't huge but I want to make sure I don't push it too hard too fast. I have a fun year lined up and want to stay as healthy as possible so I am preaching patience.
I am excited to race in my new Pearl Izumi shoes. They are the best shoes I have ever worn!
The team is really taking shape and the new kits look great. Visit us at http://www.teampearlizumi-smith.com/ and enter the contest to win some Smith glasses.
I will get better at posting my mileage and stuff but in the mean time, take a look at the Team site and help us out...we need a catch phrase.

2008- Review and Thoughts

What a year! I look back now and still can't believe it. So many highs and so many lows but the highs definitely out numbered the lows.

(on top, me at mile 55'ish of Wasatch 100)

5 low points of 2008:

5- My diet. This will continue to be a struggle.

4- Not being a part of an amazing Hardrock 2008. Sorry brutha!

3- Struggleville at the Wasatch SpeedGoat- basically all day long!

2- Vomiting at Wasatch- first time and sure not my last!

1- My damn Achilles tendon!!

Top 5 things of 2008:

5- Cutting into my time at the Buffalo Run (again).

4- Watching a good friend finish his first 100. (Phil @ the Bear-proud of you man!)

3- Scott Jaimes run at Hardrock. Way to go Fast One!

2- Being supported at the Wasatch 100. Every single aspect!

1- Finishing my first 100- The mighty Wasatch 100. Proud moment for the Manning/Barnes family

Overall- I learned alot. I learned that limitations arethings you put on yourself. I honestly never thought I could finish a 100 mile trail run and even during the adventure I had my doubts but luckily things worked out.

I learned you can balance family and running- its can be tricky but I am definitely fine tuning it.

I learned that the race is teh celebration and there is no better way to celebrate than with friends and family.

I learned that training can suck but not nearly as bad as running a race on poor training.

I learned that running is truly a battle against yourself. I know now I will never finish first but for me, that is not what is important.

I learned that baby steps are inevitable for success. Don't try too much at once. Patience can be key.

I learned that running trails and be a husband can go hand in hand. I make tons of mistakes but they are always there for me. No matter how bone headed I can be.

I learned you need to take chances...thanks Fish.

I learned that even though you can have thoughts of giving up, your friends think higher of you.

I learned that it may be a good idea to take a small mirror with you in a race and when times get tough you can take a look in it to see why you should go on.

I learned that through running, friendships can be made, strengthened and enjoyed at any distance.

I learned about myself. Running is truly raw. Its primal. It can break you down to nothing leaving you feeling humbled, distraught, hurting, suffering and weak but it can also make you feel like a hero in your own story.

I learned that I am indeed an ultra runner and no matter how hard on myself I can be, I can't compare myself to other runners.

2008 was indeed a success. I can't believe its over. The last few months, I really missed running but maybe the injury will make me hungrier and stronger for 2009. 2008 was an incredible journey and the Wasatch 100 was my token. I will never forget my first 100, the terrain, the people, the support and everything in between.

I want to thank all my friends-Phil, Scott M, Jamie, Tom, Kacey, Fish, Ron, Lisa, Erik, Christian, Josh, Paul, Raye Jean, Rick, Nicole, Jaxon, Myles, Brad, Justin, and of course the man who started it all- Edward and the countless others I am forgetting-whether through kind words, time on the trails or the amazing encouragement and support- I really don't know how fun this journey would have been.

My family- my two beautiful daughters-Samantha- for always believing in me even when I didn't, Aspen- your smile and innocence that reminded me of life and what its all about and my amazing wife Melony- without you none of this is possible. You have been there every step of the way, i love you.

Now for 2009- here I come and once again

No Excuses...No Regrets...Leave Nothing!