Sunday, July 23, 2017

A year of Little Running

Time for the annual update on my running activities........ Last year's summer enthusiasm petered out quickly and led to almost zero running between September 2016 and April 2017 - I think it was 4 runs over 8 months. Not surprisingly fitness is at all time low and weight all time high.

So starting this May I decided (once again) to get back in shape. And (once again) it's going very poorly.  I have found it very hard to get excited about running frequently - primarily because it sucks when I am so out of shape.  But I have found it much easier to run when I am traveling.  I've run 13 times away from home (Davis, San Diego, Paris, London, Dorset, Chicago and Maui) but only 4 times here at home.

Guess I need to travel more if I really want to get back in shape although it usually involves far too much eating/drinking so I'm not making much of a dent on my weight!

4 comments:

Unknown said...

Hi Alan - I was curious if you could email me about your experience with Dr Brown and surgery. I contacted him to possibly fix my inguinal hernia (not a sports hernia) because he avoids using mesh. Would love your insight and whether or not you would advise I get surgery done with him. Please email me when you have a chance!

ross.luft@gmail.com

Thanks,
Ross

Anonymous said...

Alan - I'm sorry to hear your enthusiasm for running hasn't returned. For what it's worth, I thought I would let you know that the documentation of your sports hernia surgery and recovery was an enormous help to me. Naturally, my experience wasn't exactly the same as yours, but having the ability to compare and contrast with another committed runner who had been through the same process was invaluable. Thank you for sharing your experience and continuing to make it available almost 10 years later!

Ross - If you haven't already had your surgery done, it's hard to imagine there being anyone better than Dr. Brown.

Unknown said...

Alan, I get it. Once you're that far out of shape it really sucks....in many ways. Just hoping to re-ignite you a bit that I raced the Oakland half with you in 2011 and started reading your blog soon after. I also was hovering around sub3 and your blog educated and inspired me to keep pushing. Ran a 3:00:xx in 2012 or 2013 and then then nailed it a year or two after. I dunno....its all a blur. BUT just wanted to kick you in the butt that I'm now 56 and ran those in my mid 50's! You are a great athlete Alan. So get back on the horse and at least shoot for a few small fun race goals...Bay to Breakers, 4th July 5k, etc., or help out others and do some pacing for races. I've been pacing and its a really fun way to give back AND stay in some sort of respectable shape. Cheers, John West in Alameda(510)326-2707

Alan Fletcher said...

Hi John - just saw your note. Very timely! Have finally decided to get back to this. got suckered into a corporate 5K in 8 weeks. Am way out of shape and carrying some extra lbs! Gonna suck for sure. thanks for the encouragement - definitely needed when every mile seems like a marathon these days.