Martin Criminale | One aspiring endurance athlete: June 2016

16 June 2016

healing/running update

Extra, extra, read all about it!

For anyone that knows me, most of 2015 (starting in March) and the first part of 2016 (until just recently) were not so conducive to running. I was dancing around a hip injury, running as much as I could but also having several surgeries (not related to the injury that was preventing me from running interestingly), each of which meant some down time and then a recovery.

As is normal (that's what I tell myself anyway), I got a bit bummed and moody and wrote about my very selfish woes.

I also tried to summarize everything some time later when I was feeling a bit more optimistic.

Well things are still looking up.

To recap, after all my trials and tribulations I eventually took six weeks totally off from running. Then, with no hip pain I saw a hip specialist to see how to proceed. Incredibly he told me to go run.

Ever since my hip doctor told me to re-introduce running I was skeptical. It had hurt so much for a solid 14 months and just because it had stopped hurting after six weeks of no running didn't mean I had any confidence that I was "healed".

If you recall, my Physical Therapist had me re-introduce running SLOWLY... to the tune of one mile/day the first week, two miles/day the second week, you get the idea.

Well I started running on the treadmill 7 April. And I started running outdoors 4 May. And I did my first trail run 30 May. So far so good. I have felt a twinge in my hip on occasion but nothing has lasted and I feel fine that same evening and the day after, there has been no actual pain since I started running again. I have also been cycling lots and two weeks ago I was finally able to resume my core workouts which I had to postpone because of abdominal surgery.

Last Sunday I had my first trail run where I felt "good" and was able to carry on a conversation throughout. Plus, double digit distance! It has not just been about recovering from injury after all, I have had to regain fitness too! :)

Have I mentioned that I love running on trails? Oh man, does it feel good to get back out in the woods.

Thanks to all of my supporters for sticking by me. Here's to more getting outside.

04 June 2016

Cascade Bicycle Club Flying Wheels Summer Century

Holy. Crap.

This happens every year, where my mind tries to convince my body that it still races. And the answer is it doesn't. And I suffer. This year it was at the Cascade Bicycle Club's Flying Wheels Summer Century.

But I got a boatload of sun, didn't completely blow and in the end it was a huge case of type 2 fun. Meaning it was tough but I'm glad I did it.

I rode with my friend John Phillips who is at least as game as I am when it comes to chasing fast wheels. I should have known.

We rolled out at about 7:30 and after a few miles along Lake Sammamish the course heads up a pretty stout hill. Every year there are people taking breaks on this hill (which is just five miles into a 104 mile ride) and walking their bikes. Ouch.

At the top of this hill we encountered some triathletes, it was three guys all on the VO2 Multisport team. As is typical of triathletes, these guys were hammers! Later on we would encounter many more triathletes and they were all fast.

Here are some highlights.

about 25 miles into this century going about 27 mph I'm barely able to draft a couple of 20 something young bucks (your guessed, it, triathletes) when one turns to the other and says, "Did you get your swim in this morning?" #mindgames
With maybe two miles to go a woman (triathlete!) flew past us like nothing. Of course John jumped. I tried...
I drank six 24 oz bottles and was still dehydrated when we finished. I started in a sleeveless jersey and needless to day I was never uncomfortable.
I have not eaten this many peanut butter and jelly sandwiches in years. They just tasted good.
I almost cramped three (four?) times.
We pulled this guy in the last 20 miles. He was so grateful he bought both of us a beer. "A draft for a draft!" Thanks!
It was such a nice day that when I got home I hit the deck. Turns out even I have a maximum amount of sun I can absorb and I got that during the ride... after maybe 30 minutes I went back inside. I should have jumped in the lake.

Here are all my pictures and video.