A while back I posted about 5-hour energy and Gels....well, I'm here to report that I am now up to 9 miles and using 2 gels during my long runs. The gel that works the best for me (since I dump) are the Cliffs brand...they are 90% organic and do not kill my stomach. So happy that these still work for me as I have a few half marathons planned and now I don't have to worry about losing fuel.

I got cleared by my physical therapist to start back into training two weeks ago and I was finally able to "run" yesterday. I had been doing this run/walk/scoot thing getting my spine accustomed to the rigors of running. I think I might actually be able to "run" again' date=' which makes me quite happy. When I first started PT, he said he doubted I would ever be able to run again after having a laminectomy. Never tell me never.

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Wow! Congrats on the clearance. Ur determination is inspiring. Great timing season wise to be cleared. Great weather for getting outside and going for a run. Happy running!

Update: I completed a little tri today!!! A big thank you to massindex and Lisa:) for encouragement and tips! I had a FANTASTIC time. I can't wait to do another!

Update: I completed a little tri today!!! A big thank you to massindex and Lisa:) for encouragement and tips! I had a FANTASTIC time. I can't wait to do another!

That is fantastic!! Congratulations!

Still in training for my first half coming up in two months, so I decided to run a half distance yesterday morning. Bottom line is that I shaved a little over seven minutes off my time and finished up in 2:13:47, at a pace of 10:10 per mile. Still have a ways to go to hit what I want, which is to finish a half in 1:45:00. That would put me running a full at 3:30 and qualify me for Boston.

It'll take a while, but I will get down to it.

Here's the map and stats: http://www.runtastic.com/en/users/eric-dickey/sport-sessions/70175726

Still in training for my first half coming up in two months' date=' so I decided to run a half distance yesterday morning. Bottom line is that I shaved a little over seven minutes off my time and finished up in 2:13:47, at a pace of 10:10 per mile. Still have a ways to go to hit what I want, which is to finish a half in 1:45:00. That would put me running a full at 3:30 and qualify me for Boston.

It'll take a while, but I will get down to it.

Here's the map and stats: http://www.runtastic.com/en/users/eric-dickey/sport-sessions/70175726

That's bad ass! Seven minutes is CRAZY!

I love that u know what u need to qualify for Boston. I always joke that I can't wait to become older, so maybe then I could qualify. Lol. I have also made it known in my house that if I ever do qualify- I'm gonna go for it!

Great work with the training!! Keep shaving those minutes off!

Update: I completed a little tri today!!! A big thank you to massindex and Lisa:) for encouragement and tips! I had a FANTASTIC time. I can't wait to do another!

Breaking up the running training routine makes this so wonderful and addictive. Training in all three disciplines is what makes this so much fun! It's great for the change of pace! :-) I knew you could do it.

Update: I completed a little tri today!!! A big thank you to massindex and Lisa:) for encouragement and tips! I had a FANTASTIC time. I can't wait to do another!

That is incredible. From VSG to triathlete. Amazing accomplishment.

Btw...did you swim in those Water shoes?

That is incredible. From VSG to triathlete. Amazing accomplishment.

Btw...did you swim in those Water shoes?

Thank u!

Yes, I did. At first I was worried because I do feel a bit of a drag, not much though. I like to think that whatever time I lost in the water, I made up while running up the hill to transition. It was not smooth sand! There were pokey plants, rocks, and other not nice items to step on. Other people were gingerly making their way up- not me! I jogged up the hill without worrying.

Venting for a moment...34 days until my first official half marathon and I pulled a fracken calf muscle in my left leg! Applying ice right now and will go see the sports specialist tomorrow or Tuesday. Looks like I won't be running in New York during vacation this week after all.

Hopefully I'll be healthy in time for the half.

Venting for a moment...34 days until my first official half marathon and I pulled a fracken calf muscle in my left leg! Applying ice right now and will go see the sports specialist tomorrow or Tuesday. Looks like I won't be running in New York during vacation this week after all.

Hopefully I'll be healthy in time for the half.

Man that's a bummer. Do you know any trigger point therapists or have any near you? I have one that I see whenever I get acute pain of any sort. She is like a miracle worker. I have hobbled into her office barely able to walk or stand up straight or lift my arm...whatever the case may be. And I walk out 30 minutes later like nothing was ever wrong. It's a form of myofascial release....sort of. Very effective and eliminates this sort of pain very quickly.

Man that's a bummer. Do you know any trigger point therapists or have any near you? I have one that I see whenever I get acute pain of any sort. She is like a miracle worker. I have hobbled into her office barely able to walk or stand up straight or lift my arm...whatever the case may be. And I walk out 30 minutes later like nothing was ever wrong. It's a form of myofascial release....sort of. Very effective and eliminates this sort of pain very quickly.

Really simple observation, but would the TP Roller helps with this type of pain? The reason I ask is that is what they advertise it for, myofascial release, and it is much cheaper long term then seeing a TP therapist. It is the best roller I have ever used and it is almost a miracle worker. It has paid itself off many times over in massage therapy and chiropractic work.

Really simple observation, but would the TP Roller helps with this type of pain? The reason I ask is that is what they advertise it for, myofascial release, and it is much cheaper long term then seeing a TP therapist. It is the best roller I have ever used and it is almost a miracle worker. It has paid itself off many times over in massage therapy and chiropractic work.

I would definitely use any type of foam roller available to help with this type of pain, but depending on the specifics I might wait a day or 2 for the inflammation to stop.

Actual trigger point therapy is much different than using any roller, but both are very beneficial.

I have also found 3-6 g of omega 3 to be really helpful with controlling inflammation. There is a product I use that gives 3 g omega 3 per 1 tsp. Very convenient.

Hi all,

Massindex suggested this discussion. I was sleeved 12/15/11. Had a bout with malnutrition (ok, I won the Olympic swim for the semester, and beat the guy who had won EVERY swim challenge at the rec center in history) and seem to work on those a lot. I'm more of a swimmer, but running is right behind that. I'm looking for anything we can share and think of because PICC lines and backpack TPN interfere with my life. Thankfully my surgeon no longer will!

I'm looking at triathlons too, if any one is interested.

Vic

Hey all. Ran my second half marathon yesterday in Irving, TX. The Wounded Warrior half marathon. It went well, not my best day but not bad. About 15 minutes before the scheduled start we got hit with a severe thunderstorm. They delayed the start an hour while we got almost 2 inches of rain. We finally started under light rains about 8am. The majority of the run took place on the Campion Trail which is a very nice MUP hat goes on for quite a few miles. But parts of it were underwater. Several times we had to wade through shin deep Water for 100-200 feet at a time. There was no running through that, you basically had to walk.

I also got hit with severe GI distress about mile 10. Luckily there were porta cans every mile. But it took a toll on me andi still haven't quite recovered. I blame my pre run carb loading. I still haven't gotten it figured out yet. Since the surgery, these carbs really don't agree with me, especially not in large quantities. I'll figure it out eventually I hope. I did eat a few energy squares during the run but because my stomach was feeling so bad I was sick of them by the end of the run.

They did have pancakes and orange wedges at the end of the run. Quite an odd combination. The oranges were good but the pancakes were not appealing to me by then.

All in all a great run for a great cause. My hat's off to the many soldiers who ran in full combat gear including packs and gas masks. Those guys are hardcore.