So, on the occasion of my birth 54 years ago, I offer this post as a summary of my life of running, which started for me in October of 2012. I thought it might be a good exercise to see how far I've come in that time, and also to plot out my future a little bit. So first, some stats:
First run: October 29, 2012. 1.54 miles. Pace of 16:31
Total miles run since then: 14,397 miles
Total workouts: 2,739
Total calories burned: 1,860,840
Total elevation (approx): 633,064 ft
Fastest marathon time: 3:58:28
Fastest half marathon time: 1:45:18
Fastest 5K: 22:35
Fastest 10K: 49:18
Fastest 1 mile: 6:24
Starting weight: 172 pounds
Lowest weight achieved (marathon training): 146
Current weight: 157 (and dropping - goal is 152ish. have lost 5 pounds in the last 10 days)
So, now what?
The neck stuff is being fleshed out now. To make a long story short I am pretty much missing a disc (disintegrated at this point), so my spinal column is narrowing at that spot. The pain, luckily, is muscular in nature so I have no nerve damage. I'll be seeing a pain specialist soon to try and alleviate some of that.
Stomach stuff is under control.
Have been waking up early this week to run for a couple of reasons:
1. It's so ****ing hot here right now my son's high school football team has to practice at 5:30am. So I'm getting up at 4:30 to make sure he can get up. May as well run while I'm up, right?
2.
@gruecd - gave me that same suggestion a few months ago when I was telling him that I just seem to lose all energy by the time I get home from work that all I want to do is lay down. I think the neck pain all day just causes my whole body to tense up so when I get home it just all lets out and I'm exhausted. His suggestion: "well, run in the morning you poosay." But I actually kind of enjoy it. So I will try and do it moving forward. (the rest of this week is shot as I will be heading to Wisconsin for my annual brothers/uncle fishing and drinking beer trip).
I have no running goals right now. Try and get in 3 runs a week. Then 4. And then we will see from there. Reading about your guys training for the fall races really starts to get my mental juices flowing, but I need to be realistic about if I can get back that edge I need mentally to train for a race. We will see how the fall goes and maybe try something in the spring.
Anyway, upwards and onwards gentlemen. I'm in the best place mentally I have been in a long time. Some physical questions have been answered so I now know what I am capable of doing. Keep up with the awesome training and I look forward to reading some great reports this fall.

