Much better

After work today I met up with Sonya, Evan and Kyra at the YMCA. Krya had a swim lesson tonight. I knew I needed to workout so what better time than now. I was not looking forward to the workout after yesterday but I actually had a good one. Part of it was as I worked hard on the trainer there was a great show on this African kid who had came to America and left his family behind for a better life. He was a runner who I believe had won a few NCAA D3 titles ? Anyhow is was nice to watch as some good tunes blasted in my ears. I guess this "club" stuff is no different than running in that some day are good, some are bad. I just miss being outside.

Miles for the day= 30 min's & 5 miles on the elliptical and 15 min's and 6 miles on the bike.

Bad day

Man today was not to be my day. I think the fact that it was SO nice out just put me in a bad mood as I went to the club. I stared out with some elliptical running which was not to bad. I got in like 5 miles during 30 mi's. Then it was off to the bike but after just 10 min's I called it quits. I was just plain sick of doing this stuff. Better luck next time I guess. It is just to darn nice outside !!!

Miles for the day= 30 min's & 5 miles of elliptical, and 10 min's & 4 miles of bike

Weekend update

So I decided to take Friday off. I figured what the hell, plus I was needing a break from the YMCA. Once the weekend came around it was back on the horse so to speak.

On Saturday I did both the elliptical trainer and the bike. I felt real good today !!! Go figure. I guess if I have more days like this I would be ok with making it a few weeks doing the "club" thing.

Miles for the day= 30 mins on elliptical & 5 miles ,and 25 min's on bike & 8 miles

On Sunday my Mom was able to help us out with Evan so Sonya, the girls and myself went to the pool. The girls where excited to swim big time. I was just happy to know I had Sonya in the water aqua jogging with me. Not the normal great run together but hey better than nothing I guess. I felt ok in the water but more tired that last time. I think this will take awhile. I am going to look into those aqua float boots since my Achilles gets sore this way.

Miles for the day= 45 min's pool running

Aqua Kurt

Tonight was my first time ever aqua jogging !!! I went to the Y thinking I would try to get in like 30 min's just to see what it was like. I was hoping I would not go so crazy. You know I was not going to be able to use my ipod which had been my savior the last few days.

I am happy to report that I was more than OK. I ended up running for 1 hour in the pool which made me feel good about my night. I had a great time talking to the lifeguard on duty. I think the talking is what made the time go by so fast. Now I am not saying I would do this all the time by choice but I could see how 1 day a week could be a big help. My legs where very tired and ready to be done. After the workout I got a 10-15 min's in the hot tub !!!!

P.S. HAPPY B-DAY TO MY BUDDY STEVE !!!!
Miles for the day= ? what ever 1 hour in the pool in worth

Kickin it old school

Today for my workout I decided it made the most sense to go to the Northwest YMCA since it is by my parents and I was going to have to get the kids from there anyhow. It brought back many old memories. I used to go there some when I was little to play basketball and even to some lock-in dance nights !!

That being said they have done many new things to the club and it was nice to be back. I did try my idea of doing the elliptical machine first before the bike. It made a big difference. My leg's felt much better this way and I will have to keep this in mind for the future. I ended up running 2.9 miles in 20 min's which was a new pr for me !!! I then did 20 more min's on the bike. I even tried reading a magazine while on the bike. I think I could make that work. Any how it was a good day all in all.

Miles for the day= 2.9 elliptical and 7 miles biking

Thank God for my ipod

Day two of Kurt the club guy. Man is this going to be hard, but I have to do it. I brought my ipod today which was a BIG help passing the time. I was hoping to do some aqua jogging but there was no open swim lanes at the time. I did pick up a schedule so I can better plan for that.

So since the pool was not a option I was back to the bike and elliptical machine. I think when this is all said and done I will be a super biker. Heck Tour de France here I come !!! Now if that can only help me become a super runner. I ended up going 9 miles in 25 min's. I felt like i kept a high tempo the whole time. After that I went to the elliptical for a 15 min/ 1.5 mile jog. I felt like I worked pretty hard but still not liking it totally. I think I need to try the elliptical before the bike next time.

Miles for the day= 9 miles biking, 1.5 elliptical

Oh boy

Tonight I got a look into what I have in front of me. I decided to go to the YMCA to start doing some other type of working out besides running. I started with 23 min's of riding a bike. I got in just over 6.5 miles in that time. Then I tried some elliptical machine running for 10 more min's/ 1.5 miles. I thought 30 min's would be a good start. I felt pretty good with little pain from my groin area, but man is this going to be hard. I was SO bored !!!! I guess with time it will get more easy but in the mean time it was tuff. I think I will try some aqua jogging this week as well.

Miles for the day= 6.5 biking and 1.5 elliptical running

Fall 50

This weekend Sonya ran in the Fall 50 miler in northern Wisconsin. Wow what a great race. It was the second year of the race. I think there was like 53 solo runners and like 70+ teams competing. The course was nice and super pretty with the fall leaves and great shore line along Green Bay. This is a for sure one on my books when I get back at it running wise. Sonya did very well. She was 2nd female, 1st masters and 7th runner overall. Her time was like 7hrs 26 min for 50 miles. I think she was shooting for like 7 hours or so. She split 6:57 for 50 miles at this springs 100k race in Madison,WI. I would say this course was much slower with the hills. Either way I was very proud of her and all. Hell she just was 20th overall at TCM just 2 weeks before !!!

As for me with my running I did a little running getting Sonya her bottles and etc. I felt ok but for sure could tell all things are not good down there.

We had a great time looking around the next day. I would recommend this area to all !!! This is a few pictures from the weekend as well.

Man oh man

Man oh man not much going on with me. Since I found out about my upcoming I have not been doing much. It is hard to think of doing much when you know that soon you will be on the shelf for a while anyway. I am looking to start doing some stuff like aqua jogging, biking, etc next week. I guess I have to do something.

Sonya, Evan and I are going to Door county for the weekend. Sonya is running the Fall 50 mile race. It should be allot of fun. I will post some pictures, etc when we get back.

Miles for the day= 0

I got answers

Well today I was able to get into Dr. Taube at Edina sports, health and wellness and low and behold my fear was found to be true. I have a sports hernia !!!! I have been having issues with this for awhile. It was like 2 years ago that I first thought it could be a hernia but because it was not super painful I just worked with it. Then this last year we thought it might be the posas muscle. I did all the things one would do for that type of injury. But it seemed to have gotten worse after City of Lakes 25k. Then after TCM it was real bad. Now I know why. Surgery time I guess !!!!

I am torn about this because I was looking forward to doing some more races after such a crapy Twin Cites marathon, but on the other hand I am looking forward to not dealing with this pain in the future. Plus as I look back at many races such as last falls USA 24 hour championships I remember my mid section was just killing me. I just figured my legs where trashed and this was a side affect. Now I guess I know it could have been something different. Dr Taube was saying that some people like myself can run with this for a long time before it goes bad, others have it happen real fast. Seems like I have know of, and heard of so many people having this done as of late. Woo hoo I am part of the club now.

Man am I sore

Man was I sore today. I do not know if it is because of this active release stuff or if I am just getting worse. I am going to my doctor tomorrow to see about some more different stuff besides what I am doing. I am hoping it is not a sort of sports hernia. With all this being said I got out tonight after work for a easy 7 miles. I ran like 5 of it with Nick. I was real sore at first but it did get better as I went along. Not perfect but better than the start.

Miles for the day= 7

Happy Anniversary honey !!!

Two years !!!! Man it is crazy to think it was just two years ago when we had that perfect night along Lake Superior in Duluth. Thanks Sonya.

Well I tried running aging tonight. I had Dr. Folske do a little active release on me before I ran since I still have been pretty sore. I felt pretty good on the run. It was a pretty good night for a run temperature wise. I just kept it easy. I ended up with like 5 miles for the run. I wore my adidas half tights that are like the CWX brand. They sure do have lot's of support for the hamstrings. I also have been using my oxy socks. They look stupid but work good for sore legs.

Miles for the day= 5

Sickness sucks

So I have been feeling under the weather as of late. With that being said it has been very easy to take some time off. I took Saturday off figuring I needed the sleep more. As for Sunday I got in a very nice 11+ miles in with Sonya and Evan. We ended up running into our friends Jason and Rose for part of the run. I felt pretty good. I am excited to go up to Door County with Evan and Sonya this weekend for the 50 mile race Sonya is doing !!!! I think she will do great.

On a side note if you can please go see the movie " Into the Wild " it is so so great. I think it is a very moving movie and many fronts and something that can touch us all.

Miles for the day= 11+

What a nice night to run

Well I did not end up getting a run in yesterday. Between all the stuff with the kids and hell just feeling like having a rest day I took it off. Tonight I got in a great 4 mile run from my Mom and Dad's house. They had the kids and I figured I would get in a run somewhere different for a change. I was nice and crisp out. I felt real good and even did a few stride outs after. I felt fast !!!

Miles for the day= 4

First day of running

Well it is great to be back at it !! I was able to get out for a easy 30 min's with Sonya and Evan. Man I only could have wished it was this kind of weather marathon day. It has been in the 50's every day since TCM !!!! Nice. It felt great to get out there. I am hoping for 40 min's or so tomarrow. Hey all you people out there in web land there is a great 13 page spread in the new Runners World about the upcomming mens Olympic marathon trials. Look for the full page picture of our own Pete Gilman !!!

Miles for the day= 4+

YMCA

Today my legs are feeling better. I know I could go for a run if I wanted, but I also know it is best to wait one more day. I was jogging around a bit chasing Evan at Kyra's soccer game. It was fun to run after him. Man is he fast for a 1 year old ! After the game I went over to the YMCA to do a little hot tub action. I do not know why I due not use this more often ? We have a family membership and I think this is the second time in like 2 years I have used it. Note to my self to work this in more often. I know it would help. Heck maybe I can go the Kara Goucher/ Sonya Decker route and work in some weekly aqua jogging ?

Miles for the day= 0 ( ok maybe half mile of chasing Evan )

A day of rest

Today was the first day of rest for me and my body. If you want to see something cool go to letsrun.com and click on the video of the mens and womens finishes of the Chicago marathons !!!!

Miles for the day= a big fat 0

What Happen ??

Man was it a tuff day. For all who where there you know what I am talking about. Everything a marathon runner does not want to happen on race day. It was hot, humid, and hellish. My plan going into the race at the start of the week was to try and run 6:30's to start then pick it up after halfway or so. As race week got closer and the weather was changing I knew I had to change as well. So then I thought maybe 6:40 pace might be better. Well one half mile into it I knew what ever pace I was going to be doomed. I still was running 6:30ish to 6:45 pace. I felt pretty good but not great. As I got closer to half marathon I first saw my friend Mark Evans in the "drop zone". Was it a sign up what was to come for me ? I figured I was not going to drop since I have never dropped from a road race, but it could get real ugly. As I got close to 14 miles the wheels where coming off FAST. At this point I saw my mom and asked "how far Sonya was behind me"? She said like 2 min's or so. Then the question became in my head of do I wait for her and try to help her or do I keep pushing on ? I decided to try something in the middle. I would slow down and try to rest up and then run strong with her. Sonya caught up to me at like 16.5 miles or so. Let's just saw I think we ran like 2 miles together then I was off the back like a bad habit. As shitty as I felt I was very proud of how strong she was running in warm weather, something she does not like very much. So as I made my way to the finish line down good old Summit avenue all I could think about was how this used to be my road during all those days working at the Runners' Edge. It was sad and happy all at the same time. In the end I was left feeling empty but super happy for Sonya who was 20th overall woman and 5th in the USA masters championship !!! Thanks to all who came out and cheered for all of us runners, it helps.

Miles for the day= 26.2 hellish ones

TCM kids runs

Today was the TCM kids running events. The whole family was there having fun with it. Sonya and I ran the Mile with the girls and then it was Evan's first race ever !!! He was sporting his Runners Edge top !!! Sonya and I think the girls did have fun but at this time we are guessing that they do not see themselves as future runners. Sonya and I got it a easy few miles between the races. One day to go and the weather looks like it is going to suck !!!

Miles for the day= 3+

2 more days

Just a few more days till race day. I am really excited even though it looks like it we will not have the best weather. I guess we need to take what where given. I took the day off today and went to Dr Folske's office.

This picture is of Sonya at last years TC 10 miler, just 2 months 10 days after having Evan. She still ran great in a time of 1:07 !!!

Miles for the day= 0

Easy with Nick

I went real early today with Nick. It was a easy day of 5 miles. We had to go so early since I needed to get back by 6:45am to get Summer up for school. I felt real good for the most part. Man was it dark. I almost got nailed buy a few bikers riding real fast with no lights !! During the run Nick and I ran into Nicole who was out for a run. She joined us for a few miles. I shared a funny Nick and Kurt story about our first marathons. It was the 1994 TCM and I was getting back into shape. I had just met Nick and he later told me that his thought was if he can do a marathon I sure should be able to. I am glad my extra pounds inspired him. Just a few more days to go.

Miles for the day= 5

Happy running to everyone !!!

So as many people know I am a total running rube. I love all things running. Well something I have loved for some time now is the web page Chasing Kimbia. It is everything I need to get all jacked up to run. I so look foward to the video blogs by Matt Taylor. You can go to the media section to watch all the videos. So please watch this and tell me it does not make you want to run.........


Click here Mountains

4 days till TCM

Man only 4 days to go till the TCM marathon. It could come any quicker in my book. So after my day off yesterday I went out early this morning to do my last so called workout. I did a simple warm up then 3x mile at marathon pace then a easy cool down home. All in all they felt pretty good. Not great but OK. I think I was feeling so still that early in the am hours. Note to self: get up early so I can stretch good and feel limber.

Miles for the day= 6+

Chicago Marathon, who will win ?

Here is a little write up I got off of Marathon Guide.com on the Chicago marathon. It will most likly be a great race as usual. I would love to see what kind of time could be run at TCM if they where to spend the kind of $$$ the big marathons do on elites.

Chicago Marathon - This Weekend
The Chicago Marathon is always fast and this year's men's field will highlight some of the top marathoners who are also some of the champions who have been most consistent and long-lived in the sport (and we think anyone who has been at the top for four to ten years is long-lived). Included in the field will be Lee Bong-Ju who has been near the top of the sport since 1996, achieving the silver medal at the 1996 Olympics, winning the Boston Marathon in 2001, and most recently running his third fastest marathon while winning the 2007 Seoul Marathon in March in 2:08:04. Also running will be 2006 Chicago runner-up, Daniel Njenga, who has been a top-three finisher in Chicago in each year since 2002. Jaoud Gharib - the two-time (2003/2005) IAAF world champion and most recently 4th place finisher at the 2007 London Marathon will run Chicago for the first time. Evans Rutto, the 2003/2004 Chicago champion and holder of the sixth fastest marathon time ever run will return to Chicago. Felix Limo, whose first sub 2:07 finish took place in 2003 and who was the 2005 Chicago and 2006 London Marathon winner will also return to Chicago.

Kurt's picks to be top 3:
1st Evans Rutto
2nd Jaoud Gharib
3rd Ben Maiyo

Today is going to be a rest day for this marathon week. I like to take 2 of these off as part of the rest plan. Like I have been saying I have felt pretty good so I do not need to rock the boat.

Miles for the day= 0

Feeling Zippy

It was great running tonight with Jason " zippy" Minnick and Greg. We went down by Lake Calhoon for a easy after work run. It was nice and crisp out at our 8:30pm starting time. I was also feeling real good after having Dr. Folske do a little active realease on me before the run. Man if you ever have any problems Wade is the guy to look up.

I was hoping to go only like 5 or 6 miles but I was feeling so good I thought 7 was going to be ok. What's 1 more mile ? Any how the pace was nice as well. I know I always run faster when I run with those guys which is good. I thought to myself after the run that I wish I feel like this come Sunday for the marathon. One funny thing on this run was having that guy fly pass us running when you know they are going like maybe one or two miles. I think all 3 of us wanted to go after him but we knew better.

Miles for the day= 7

Sunday, Sunday 1 week to go

So today we ran in a much better spot then yesterday. Heather told us to come back out to the farm house and run the country roads. Man was that better. Far less car's and nice seneary to look at. Other than a dog at one point it was very nice. I only wish I would have knew about this yesterday.

I felt very good today as well. I was smooth and loose. Sonya also said that it was the best she had felt in a week or so. I think Ward was feeling the after affects of his drinks the night before. One funny thing on the run. At one point I needed to visit a tree so the other two kept going and I was going to catch up. As I was getting close to them we had a railroad track and I thought to myself that it would suck if a train cut me off from them. Well at that moment wehn I was like 40 feet from the track the bells went off !!! Man I ran so hard so not to get cut off from them. It was funny after words but at the time I was like "come on you have to be kidding" but like I said it was funny after words. I week to go !!!

Miles for the day= 10+