Fitness Run

Distance: 5 miles
Time: 43:43, morning run
Surface: Concrete/Asphalt
Weather Conditions: sunny, 60s
Location: Chandler, Arizona

Comments: Stiff start but that was probably due to the cold and timing. Pretty good stamina throughout and was able to finish with a good pace.

At about the 3.5 mark I felt that inside-the-knee stiffness that is not good at all (doesn't hurt really, just lets me know it isn't happy). I shortened my stride and concentrated on keeping the left foot straight and it seemed to do better.

Fitness Run

Distance: 2.5 miles
Time: Noon run
Surface: Concrete/Asphalt
Weather Conditions: Cloudy, 70s
Location: Chandler, Arizona

Comments: Not a bad run. I cut it shorter than I was considering running because I would like to put in a longer run on Saturday. 

I ate more carbs the day prior and the improved energy level was obvious. I also picked up some protein tablets for the start of this regimen. We'll see if they make any difference.

The knee was fine during the run itself. I concentrated on shorter strides and iced it for 15 minutes or so after the run. Before going out this morning and later in the afternoon it felt ginger. It might just be the general soreness I am still dealing with but I am pretty nervous about it.

Fitness Run

Distance: 4 miles
Surface: Concrete/Asphalt
Weather Conditions: Cloudy, 60s
Location: Chandler, Arizona

Comments: Tough one to finish. I got through it better than I thought I would but it was obvious I was lacking in energy. Physically it is clear I have a long way to go to build my strength but the core endurance still seems to be there.

The knee was not a real problem at any point during the run, only the vaguest flicker of weakness. I iced it for 20 minutes afterward and later took an epsom salt bath for my overall achy feeling. 

I also did a brief stretch beforehand. It is clear my limberness needs to improve as well
.

Fitness Run

Distance: 1.5 miles
Surface: Concrete/Asphalt
Weather Conditions: Cloudy, 60s
Location: Chandler, Arizona

Comments: Not a bad start. I didn't get a really good pace until the very end. Not much of a problem with my knee. I did feel the faint beginning of the "flutter" that presages the actual pain but cut back my pace and it was fine.

New Shoes: ASICS Gel-Foundation VI

Today my mom was kind enough to buy me a new pair of shoes to begin this endeavor. After speaking with my chiropractor and a running specialist, I was looking for a good shoe to control overpronation. My prior shoe was probably too good in that respect in that it was too heavy and caused other stresses on my knee.

So I headed over to the folks at Performance Footwear in Tempe. These guys know their stuff and my experience with them has always been a pleasure.

They did a footstrike analysis that confirmed the overpronation problems. After trying a few pairs with similar support I went with the ASICS Gel-Foundation VI. It has good overpronation control, not excessively though, and is damned comfortable.

The footstrike analysis showed that the shoe completely corrected the overpronation in my right ankle but there was still a slight excess motion on the left. It is my hope that the shorter strides advised by my previous running analysis will address this.

I also purchased a ProTec Iliotibial Band for... well, my ilitobial band. The idea is that the targeted compression pad will add pressure on the ilitobial band itself to support and stabilize it at the knee. I figure, why not try it and see?

Getting Started

Klephrun is a daily diary for my running as I try and get started doing it again this year. My goal is to run the PF Chang's Rock n' Roll Marathon in Tempe, Arizona on January 14, 2007.

I have tried to prepare for a marathon several times in the past five years but kept running into one big obstacle - my left knee. The problem is classic Iliotibial Band Syndrome acerbated by two things, scar tissue in my left thigh from a car wreck years ago and my abysmal posture.

So, in this trip home I have taken a few steps in the form of prevention, picked up a couple of remedies and tips and am going to set out and try this yet again. This blog is simply a simple way to keep up a runners diary on my progress and shame me into sticking to the thing.

2003 Run for the Bay 10K

Race: LMU Run For The Bay 10K
Official Time: 52:59
Gun Time:

Comments:

Conditions:

Start: 

Surface: 

Weather: 

Temperature: 

Humidity: 

Wind: 

Location: Los Angeles, CA

Shoes: