Running update

I do not even remember what I’m training for . . . or to a larger extent even care what I’m training for. I don’t know, but I think that I have lost my running mojo over the last few weeks. Well, technically, I lost my running mojo at the beginning of the pandemic and have spent the last couple of years trying to get it back. There have not been many running-specific updates because it seems like one injury turns into another (or life gets in the way). Over the past couple of weeks, I have been dealing with a couple of leg injuries. First, I thought it might have been a stress fracture in my shin (or really bad shin splints), which more or less went away after modifying my cardio boxing workouts. Now, the calf muscle has been a bit problematic. For instance, my calf muscle does not bother me when I walk, but I experience mild soreness once I start running. I’m not really sure where to go from here. Actually, I wonder if last week’s deep tissue massage is playing a role in this injury. Perhaps, my muscle was injured, but the deep tissue massage really exacerbated it.

It’s like every time I get some steam going in a fitness journey, there’s something around the corner that takes me out. Perhaps, I just need to take a break from running for a bit.

In earlier posts, I’ve mentioned that I had two long-term goals for 2022.

1. Run/jog 2022 km in 2022
2. Run least one half marathon (or full marathon) during each month.

I’m only three months into 2022, and I do not really care if I reach goal one or goal two.

Goal 1: Run/jog 2022 km in 2022

Based on my mileage (err, “kilometrage”), I did not hit my running goal in Feb. To run 2022 km in 2022, I need to run at least 168.5km (105.3mi) each month. However, logged about 98km in February. Basically, I feel pretty defeated on my trek to run 2022 km this year, and we are only in the 3rd month of the year. Then again, my recent injuries have been screwing up things left and right. Honestly, I do not think that I have been overexerting myself because most of my runs are easy runs. Perhaps, these “easy” runs are not so easy on my body.

Goal 2: The half marathon (or full marathon) each month.

This goal was DOA before I really could get it up and running (no pun). In addition to my main job, I work as an adjunct professor of biology at a local college. Since my main job is a standard 9-5/6, I typically teach during the weekends (12:30 – 3 pm). When the college asked us for our availability for the Spring semester, I was under the impression that my course would be virtual as it has been for the past four semesters. Literally, 1-2 weeks before the semester was set to start, I was told my course would be in person. Fortunately, I’m only teaching on Sundays, 12:30 – 3 pm. Unfortunately, for this running goal, most half marathons are held on Sundays, which causes a time conflict. For instance, I had to cancel class last month in order to travel and run in New Orleans. Because of class, I probably will not run this month’s half-marathon in Philly. If this semester’s class was virtual, I do not think it would be a big issue running half marathons outside of NYC and teaching because I would not have to be in NYC to teach a virtual class.

That said, I’m going to try my hardest to run next month’s Brooklyn marathon. If I’m able to run a marathon, I have a feeling that it’s going to be 70% walking and 30% running depending on what’s going on with my calf. I guess time will tell.

Then again, we’ll see what happens. Over the weekend, I was supposed to run a 5K, and I was so over it that I stayed home EVEN after putting on my running clothes.

Believe it or not, I was looking forward to this NYRR race because it’s one of the few races that is held outside of Central Park.

Ok, let’s talk about something a bit more positive, which does not have anything to do with running. Another goal for 2022 is to read more, and the plan is to read at least two books each month. Seems like a moderate goal since the New York Public Library book loans are for two weeks. Here are my current books:

I decided to start with Mayer’s The Gut-Immune Connection, and I am loving it so far. I have often told folks that I would have studied something at the interface of oncology, immunology, and microbiology if I could redo my Ph.D. life. Over the past couple of years, I have been so fascinated by the recent advances in linking the microbiome to various types of cancers.

Question of the Day:

Have you ever experienced simply being over running (or your main go-to sport)?

Do you have any interesting books that I should add to my 2022 reading roster? I tend to be a fan of non-fiction, “sciencey” reads.

Social Media Plug:

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