Scattershooting around the world of Scott...

Some days, one topic for a blog just won't do so I'll just scattershoot today!

I still really can't run any significant distance even though my very good orthopedist Dr Geiger (and I do mean that sincerely) saw nothing wrong with my knee in the MRI. It's almost not worth going for a run when you only go 2.5 miles, I barely get warmed up at that distance so its frustrating. I'm sticking with pool running for now where an hour is very taxing and rewarding... except that I smell like chlorine for the next 24 hours! I start a 4 week regimen of PT soon that Dr. Geiger feels will resolve what he suspects is a tendon inflammation on the outside of the knee.

On alternate days I do pool running and cycling. Today was my day for weight training and cycling but when the time came for cycling in the evening we had lost power due to an accident on Purdy Hill Road. Not to miss my workout, I hopped on my bike in my pitch black basement exercise room with my hiking headlamp on and rode for an hour. It looked funny to glance across the room at the mirrors on the wall and only see the reflective sidewall of my tires glowing in the headlamp light along with the reflectors on the spokes whirling around like crazy and the reflective material on my shoes spinning around as I pumped my pedals. No bike, no body, just glowing reflectors... very eery!

With July coming next week, my schedule for my AT run is in serious jeopardy. I am thinking about moving it to August or September but I fear that will leave me without any nightime support so I may end up carrying the absolute essentials on my back and doing the run solo from end-to-end with no support. I think I can manage that, I have a 1 pound bivy instead of a tent, I'll use a microfiber sleeping bag liner instead of a full bag, no pad, no pillow, and I'll buy food as I pass through towns on the way. It's not optimal, but its a whole different concept to consider. I'm NOT giving up on my goal.

Fundraising has been pretty bad so far, everyone is having a tough time this year. To tell you the truth, since my knee went south on me, I have not been pushing it either for fear of having to reimburse people if I had to have surgery like was originally thought. Now I'll get going again but I really don't expect the strong financial support I had last year. There has been lots of interest in what I'm doing by folks I speak with, but many also express regret that they can't get involved due to their financial situations. I totally understand that. Unfortunately, I know a bunch of very good people who are out of work right now and I can't even help them like I have been able to in the past through my personal contacts because the job openings just aren't there.

With hard runs being non-existent lately I have gotten into other activities that I hope will prepare me in other ways for my grueling runs I have planned in the next 6 months. I have taken up a lot more core strengthening exercises that are reminiscent of Yoga and Pilates (but not). I spend almost 20 minutes at the start of my alternate day strength workout doing core work on my abs, lower back, glutes, hip flexors, intercostals and serratus muscles. My glutes are extremely knotted which I suspect is what is contributing to the IT Band issue in my right knee.

I have also been doing more meditation-like time to clear my mind and visualize my goals. I haven't done a lot of this at rest lately... I usually take advantage of running on remote trails to clear my mind and visualize, but that tends to get me lost when I don't pay attention to the blazes on the trees (trail markers). It is very relaxing to sit at home quietly, eyes closed, and clearing your mind of all the clutter... its also hard for a person like me who almost MUST be doing 2-3 things at once to feel productive. I got back into this after visitng the site of Cheryl Jones-Reardon called www.themindfulpath.com which discusses the integration of yoga and meditation among other techniques to develop the capacity to be aware and awake in the present moment as it is... or mindfulness. Very interesting site with some good reading suggestions and even information about her classes and speaking engagements available around the state.

Enough of my scattershooting for today! LiveSTRONG my friends!

Oh yea... only a few days until Lance Armstrong starts his bid for an 8th Tour de France! I can't wait to cheer him on! Whether he wins or not, its fantastic awareness for the cancer movement and that is a huge service he's doing for so many people all over the world!