Hey Boston Marathon Runners!

The Mrs. and I are headed your way today! I/We would love to be able to meet you. If I haven't already text you (Meg, Jill, Lindsay) or e-mailed you (Ginny, Katie), and you want to meet the one and only Marathonman Runs Again, then please e-mail me at cotaman@yahoo.com and we'll make that happen today! Unfortunately we won't be able to be in Boston for the marathon, but I figured this was the next best thing.

Attention "Bawston" Marathon Runners

Yesterday's Run: Road: 4 miles; Splits: 9:22; 9:22; 9:05; 8:45; 36:34; 9:08 per mile pace.

This was started: 4/14, completed 4/15...Man, I'm so far behind in this blogging thing...

"Bawston" runners may skip to the end of this post if they'd like. The rest of you must read my entire post first. That's my rule. Deal with it (JK).

I don't know if it was the magical hands of "P.T. Lisa" kneading my knee on Monday, but holy crap I CAN do this road running thing without gasping for breath and having my left knee feel like it's going to implode. I almost wimped out and ran on the trail again, but decided to challenge myself and (gasp) actually run on the road and up some difficult hills. A half mile into my run, as I ascended what I have at times called "The hill from hell." Well, this time it wasn't. I totally expected to be sucking wind and questioning why I still run. I wasn't and didn't. So I raised the bar, as they say, and decided to attempt another longer, more gradual incline (Maple Avenue, for my wife who's probably reading this post). It wasn't difficult at all. It actually went well, and OMG, felt good! Left knee still has issues, but at least the days of experiencing sharp, feels like a knife is stuck in the side of my kneecap, are gone. Hopefully whoever I'm seeing for P.T. this morning will have magic hands like Lisa did the other day. Unfortunately I'm seeing someone different today. Hopefully she will have a weird name, or say or do something entertaining. It's boring laying on a table for half an hour while my knee gets kneaded. My ADD needs to be entertained. I'm not promising to catch up on all your blogs today. However, a comment on my blog guarantees a witty comment from me on your blog. Yup, I'm going elementary school for now. I won't comment on your blog unless you comment on mine. But you won't know that unless you're reading my blog right now. So, never mind.
Attention "Bawston" Marathon Runners...I want to stalk you. My wife and I are going to be there to cheer you on, and of course to have a few brewskies and watch the Red Sox game if we can get cheap tickets. Anyhow, please tell me your bib number and any other pertinent info. that will help me to possibly catch a glimpse of you running by wherever I happen to end up viewing the course from. In return, I promise to make a complete jackass out of myself by yelling out your name if I see you. Then if you actually hear me, you can ask yourself who the jackass was that was yelling your name out from somewhere in the crowd. Also, if I happen to get near the finish line afterwards, I can actually stalk/look for you, and get a nice sweaty and smelly hug from you. On second thought, a handshake will be fine. Oh, and if you so desire, e-mail me at cotaman@yahoo.com and give me your cell phone number, and I'll give you mine. This will probably be the one and only chance we can meet. If I haven't scared you away yet, go e-mail me NOW! Oh, and good-luck. I know all of you will do well, even you, "Birthday Girl" Jill. Meg, I'll take a sweaty hug from you. Lindsay, you'll do well, because you ALWAYS do well. Other "Bawston" blogging buddies, identify yourself now. You deserve a shoutout too!
P.S. For those of you running at Boston, and for those of us wishing we were running at Boston, I present a one hit wonder: Hocus Pocus, by Focus. Yes, I'm showing my age here, but I dare you to listen to it. No, I double-dog dare you to listen to it!! I just know you'll be "yodeling" in no time...

Random Stuff, and Free Stuff

Want these hydration belts? They're slightly used, in great condition, the bottles are clean, and they're FREE! Just reimburse me for shipping. Post a comment telling me you which one you want. UPDATE 4/13: Black belt with white and black bottles is the only one still available; adjustable size L/XL (maybe will fit size medium also).





Saturday's Run: Farmington Canal Linear Park trail ?? degrees. 4 miles; Splits: 8:32; 8:32; 8:48; 8:39; 34:31; 8:37 per mile pace.

Thursday's Run: Farmington Canal Linear Park trail 73 degrees. 4 miles; Splits: 9:05; 8:57; 9:08; 8:58; 36:08; 9:02 per mile pace.

I'm WAY behind in posting and reading blogs. It's because of my hard working wife working 7 days a week (About 85 hours a week) now as a CPA. She's pretty much home long enough to sleep, shower, get dressed, and go back to work. The extra hours I'm spending helping our 24 year old disabled son has taken me away from blogging. I'm not complaining, just letting you know why I'm not posting and commenting. Heck, if anyone should be complaining, it's her. The end is near: Thursday is April 15th.
Today was my first Physical Therapy (PT) appointment. I'm scheduled for twice a week for the next two weeks, which should be enough. It better be enough, since I have a $20 copay per visit. I really don't have any good PT stories to tell. I saw "Lisa" today, and she spent the half hour session kneading my knee. I'm going to a different P.T. place than I did in February. I just feel more comfortable going there (I've been there before for P.T.)and that's the reason I went back to them. My knee feels MUCH better. I found out the "snap, crackle, pop sounds" are due to crepitus. From the internet: "Crepitus is really just noise and/or vibration that you can feel when you bend and straighten the knee. When you go to the doctor (or P.T.) and s/he moves the leg with a hand over the knee and head tilted, they are trying to see if there is any noise or vibration coming from the knee. Some have likened the sound of crepitus to rice krispies." Crepitus can occur with or without pain. If you have no pain, then it's usually left alone." Which translated means I'm a lucky man!
I pushed myself and ran faster this past Saturday. I was pleased with my splits, and my total time. My endurance still sucks. That too will improve as my knee pain lessens and my amount of days running increases. I have a 6K race this Sunday in NY City. I'm not driving there, so at least I won't have to worry about getting a parking ticket. Well, I'm out of time. Don't forget to let me know if you want either of the hydration belts. Hopefully later this week I can catch up on how everyone's doing. If not, definitely next week.

Good News Tuesday

I received good news today, and Meg received GREAT news today. Click on Meg's name to read her story. So my good news is that I went to physical therapy today for my "eval," and the P.T. dude's name was "Naga." What's up with that?! First "Nuno," now "Naga?" I must be on Candid Camera (Yes Meg, I'm dating myself here)or something. Anyhow, to make a long story short, it appears I'm OK to run. Best he can tell is that I don't have any meniscus tears or anything seriously wrong. Of course he twisted and turned my leg and knee every which way, and I never felt any pain. I'll be spending some time in their gym doing strengthening exercises and stretching. Oh, and I found out that I've been doing my stretching wrong, and therefore making my knee pain and other pains even worse. More on this late breaking story as details become available...meaning I couldn't schedule any P.T. appointments today, so I have to call and schedule them tomorrow. Thanks everyone for your well wishes-they worked. :-)

Hurts So Good??

Yesterday's Run: Road: (warm) degrees. 3.11 miles; Splits: 8:53; 9:02; 8:54; :51; 27:40; 8:53 per mile pace.

My P.T. appointment is tomorrow. Thank goodness. Running is not fun right now. It hurts; my left knee is hurting, especially when I first start to run. After the first 3/4 of a mile or so, the pain isn't as bad. It isn't bad enough to keep me from running, but it's painful enough to know that if I continue to ignore it, it won't get better. I have the "Here we go again" feeling. My left knee has hurt before, but not the kind of hurt that when I begin to run, it almost feels as if something's not attached, or loose, inside of my left kneecap. Funny thing is, my total time and splits time are the same. Go figure.

An Uneventful Run

Yesterday's Run: Road/Linear Trail: 58 degrees. 6.1 miles; Splits: 9:36; 9:23; 9:07; 9:24; 9:18; 9:15; :52; 56:55; 9:19 per mile pace.

Welcome new Follower/Stalker Jen

Another run dedicated to someone who's unable to run right now: Jill. Yes, I've dedicated runs to her before, but she has a special place in my heart, because she's so freakin' funny with her comments on my blog, and in her blog. Go check out her wetsuit adventure here.

Interesting run yesterday. I wanted to run before it got too hot to run without water. I like running in the warmer weather (Duh, who doesn't?!), but I don't like wearing my running belt and carrying water bottles. I feel like I'm weighed down too much. Do any of you know a good alternative to wearing a running belt with water bottles? Or perhaps a lightweight water bottle belt? I drove to the linear trail and even at 11 a.m. the parking lot was full. I parked across the street, did my stretches, and off I went. I wanted to run 5 miles, and decided that at least half of them had to be on the road. I had what's lately become my typical slow and whiny first mile. My left knee was letting me know it could "implode" at any time, and my lungs were letting me know that I still had some work to do to regain my stamina. So, my mainly uphill first mile split time was a slow for me 9:36. Mile 2 was a little better and easier, with a slight downhill section to help, and was a 9:23. Finally I felt warmed up, and reached mile 3 and the linear trail at 9:07. While on the trail I had lots of company, including my favorite running companions, pony tail girls, which always helps me run better. I absolutely, positively hate running alone. The running group I joined as of now does 8 a.m. weekend runs, which is too early for me because of parental responsibilities. Anyhow, while on the trail, I decided I was going to run 6 miles total. So as Rachael/Garmin beeped for mile 4, I turned back and headed for remaining two miles back to my car. I was feeling ok, but not as strong as I would have liked. So I took the slow and steady mentality, plus enjoyed the weather, scenery, and company I had. My split times from miles 4-6 improved from a 9:24 to a 9:18, to a 9:15. So overall, I ran 1.1 miles farther than I had planned, at an overall pace of 9:19. Certainly not a great run, but a run I'm very satisfied with since I completed the extra mile, my knee didn't "implode," and my time was decent. My knee actually feels better today than it has in a while. I'm hoping to run tomorrow, and then rest it until my P.T. appointment on Tuesday. Have a great weekend everyone, and Good Luck to anyone out there who's running in a race.
P.S. Go and read and say "Hi" to another running blogger, Erin She's a great gal, and needs to feel the love of our comments.

Quick Update and Shoutouts, Outline Form

Sunday's Run: Farmington Canal Linear Park trail: 38 freakin' chilly degrees. 4 miles; Splits: 9:13; 9:07; 9:03; 8:50; 36:13; 9:03 per mile pace.

Yesterday's Run: Road: 53 degrees. 4 miles; Splits: 9:13; 9:04; 9:05; 8:48; 36:10; 9:02 per mile pace.

Welcome new Followers/Stalkers Jennifer, Jameson, Sherri, and Psyche.

1) The official diagnosis of my left knee pain: Lateral Meniscus pain.
a. Meaning I've scheduled an appointment for P.T. next Tuesday
b. I scheduled it at the P.T. place I used to go, meaning no Nuno or Hot Chick
c. I'll explain why next week
d. Of course it now feels a lot better since I scheduled the appt.

2) I received the Chobani yogurt I won from Denise two weeks ago. It's been gone for a week. I miss it dearly.

3) I dedicated Sunday's run to Jill. Go to her blog, leave her a comment, and tell her I made you do it. Jill rocks, and is bummed that she can't run right now. We've all been there. She needs our support. So again, go read her blog and say nice things to her.

4) I dedicated yesterday's run to Carlee. I found out via Facebook that she went for an MRI to see what's up with her aches and pains. Fingers crossed for you, Carlee.

5) I received a very nice hand written thank-you card from Hannah. She's training and running as a member of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's Team In Training, and raising money for them. I was happy to donate to her cause. She's raised about $4000 so far, which was her original goal, so has upped her goal to $6500. Go Hannah! By the way, she's my adopted blogger "daughter," and I'm her blogger "Dad." Sweet, huh?!

6) After four straight days of rain (anywhere from 5-10 inches total in Connecticut), it's finally going to be sunny and warm. Hello running in shorts, goodbye long pants.


7) "I Fought the Law, and the Law Won" (The Clash: 70's song). I couldn't have my NY City parking ticket dismissed for them having the wrong color (purple) of my car on the ticket. I was able to pay $25 less, meaning $90 instead of $115. OUCH.

8) I've decided to leave my blog with the same name, and the new layout. Final Answer.