Rop's Reflections

Thought: Don’t take life for granted. One day I won’t be able to do what I love. Today is not that day.

It’s mid-December but the weather seems to be getting warmer already. It’s 24-25c in the early morning and get up to low 30’s in the afternoon. I’ve been running almost exclusively in the mornings these past couple weeks to avoid the heat.

Did a longish run with a fast pace on Sunday. Fastest run in about two months. The session made the pain in my left foot feel worse.

Went for a recovery run yesterday to begin the week. Then today, I did a moderate-effort run around the track. The pain is tolerable. It’s on the top of the foot. Since it’s not structural (the pain doesn’t propagate up the leg), I think I can keep on running.

Haven’t taken a day off so far this month. I feel okay physically. I think that if I don’t push the pace too hard, my body can take the beating of daily runs and recover reasonably well enough.

And there is no reason to push hard, really. No race on the horizon. Thinking about a 10K this Sunday in Nonthaburi. Probably will just do a training run in the park again though. Will just see how things go.

Had to cut the run short this morning. Developed urticaria (hives) again. Body felt warm. Hands were swollen red and numb. Hives were developed everywhere. It was extremely itchy.

I suspect that it was caused by eating shrimp this morning and then exercising. It’s the second time this year that I got this reaction. The first time, I rushed to the clinic to get injected with antihistamine, and within hours the hives disappeared. This time I wanted to see whether my body can heal itself. I slowly feel better. But the itch still exists many hours later.

It’s causing me a good deal of distress. If this condition occurred during a race, it would ruin the day. Good thing this didn’t happen during the marathon last week. Got to watch what I eat carefully.

Happy Thanksgiving day. I’ve been most thankful for my family, my girlfriend, my online running friends, my dogs, and my good health this year.

Have been taking a good long rest this week. Legs are feeling okay, not as bad as last year. Feet still hurt though, especially the left bunion.

Did some light jogs yesterday and today–very short and very slow. Already want to get back out there and run, but must be cautious. After such a long race, there might be some muscular damage inside that I cannot feel. No sense in rushing back.

Just focusing on the present, not thinking too far ahead. My next marathon probably won’t come until Bangkok Marathon 2010, which is of course a full year ahead. I’m pretty sure I will be running some shorter races between now and then.

Eagerly waiting to begin a new training cycle.

Today turned out a hot one. The highs are hitting 37-38c. Hard to believe it’s mid-November.

Still got the cold. Late stage, hopefully.

Fought the heat and got a run in. Five runs in five days. After short sessions on Monday and Tuesday, the past three days have been pretty good. Sweated loads. All endurance, no speed though. But, at this point, I’m happy with that.

Managed to get in an evening run. Needed to move despite not anywhere near healthy. Feeling hot inside. Face is warm. Body temperature rose due to the cold and the workout. Not a good feeling. Hope the exercise won’t slow down the recovery.

In bed now, thankfully. The work was done. Time to rest. Tomorrow is another day.

Injuries, illnesses, and pains are just parts of the process.

Have had the cold since Monday. Throat was really sore yesterday. Today is Wednesday and I’m a little better. Have had good sleeps the past two nights. Runs have been kept really short and easy. It will be a big drop in mileage this week. It is the way it is.

I want to run this evening but now it’s raining. So it doesn’t look good. Why is it raining in November? Oh well, maybe a rest will be beneficial. Definitely don’t want to show up sick at the starting line. Besides, less time for running means more time for yoga and stretches.

random thought: reading and listening are good. but don’t forget to free yourself from others’ teachings. one truly learns by doing, not by being told. life is short. don’t be afraid to make mistakes.

So I got a cold. Ahh… Bad timing.
Don’t know how.
Perhaps being stuck in a crowded seminar room has something to do with it.
Already drank lots of water.
Gotta sleep and let the body heal.

Last week went well enough. No run was too long. Just general one-hour runs mostly. Managed to do two runs in Kanchanaburi. It was a nice change of scenery.

This is going to be another light training week. Gonna rest up the calves and knees. There are pains here and there. Nothing too serious.

Got a haircut yesterday. Then we had dinner last night with my relatives at Waterside restaurant. Nice atmosphere with live music and a large pond. Food was all right. I liked the fish dishes.

Not feeling so good today health-wise. Seems like I caught a cold. Runny nose and sore throat. That means I should get a lot of sleep tonight. Hope to recover soon.

Impressive stats from NYC Marathon 2009. It was the biggest marathon ever held in history. 43,475 finishers out of 43,741 starters. That’s 99.4%. Unreal.

In the past two days, the training has been tough. Tight, stiff calves and knees. Gotta stretch more. This weekend I’ll be attending a meeting in Kanchanaburi. Hoping to get in some runs there.

So I took it easy today. Just wanted to recover.

Did one run in the morning. Slow and easy. Barely sweated after the run. The weather has become a bit nicer, too. Legs were a bit tight during the day. But no serious pain. Ate two dishes (garlic roasted pork over rice + pad thai) at lunch, and sweet potatoes.

Rested in the evening. Hopefully the body will be fresher tomorrow.