This is a great site anyway, but today they are providing the best live updates I have been able to find within the running community. The story is so fluid right now, and the stats keep getting worse.
AWESOME NEWS!
This tragedy is something that is beyond understanding. Terrible.
Vicki is OK. Her boyfriend was there and can’t hear out of one ear. Has blood on his shirt. Saw a dead person and people missing limbs. He just found out Vicki is safe.
Talk about a haunting message. Just awful…Brings it home. Glad that Vicki and her boyfriend are safe. Still praying for my friend Dan.
This article provides a lot more details on the explosion today at the Boston Marathon:
Still praying for my friends Dan and Vicki.
Article >> At least 2 dead, 22 hurt by Boston Marathon bombs
Summary From the Article:
- 2 explosive devices detonated at the Boston Marathon finish line
- At least 2 deaths, 22 injured by the explosions
- 2 additional explosive devices were found, undetonated
- A third explosive device went off in a controlled detonation
Still praying for the safety of my friends Dan and Vicki. Glad all of the others are safe.
Photo >> John Tlumacki, Boston
Just Horrible – Praying for all of my friends who participated in the race today. I’ve heard from all of them except for Dan. Very anxious about his safety.
Article >> 2 explosions at Boston marathon finish line
I have been surprised how helpful and accommodating people have been when they see me in a boot. This weekend I flew up to see my terminally ill Grandfather. When I was at the airport people would practically run across rooms to help me. While I appreciate the help, it did sort of make me wonder, ‘where were you when I was flying 7 months pregnant trying to fold a stroller with one hand, manage luggage with the other, and keep up with an over-excited 3 year old?‘
Some people have been a bit over-helpful. I was offered a wheelchair on more than one occasion. And going through security, they offered me a cane. Yep. A cane. 7 days ago I ran 10 miles. Don’t think I need a cane, thanks.
So it rained this weekend. Not wanting to get mud from my parents un-paved driveway all over my boot, I tied a plastic bag over it. Ahhh, the target bag over the robo-boot. The look that says…I give up. We went for coffee and the barista asked me
So, how does it feel to have to wear a plastic bag on your boot to keep it from getting wet?
It feels awesome. Really, really great. Thanks for asking.
People are funny. And awkward. But mostly nice. I am thankful for the people in my life who can laugh and cry with me. The ones who love me even if I have a Target bag on my foot. The ones that know I don’t need a cane, but maybe a hug. Just not from a stranger.
-Olivia
This has been a hard week on the bench. No cross-training completed. NONE! Some of it has to do with business travel. Some of it has to do with Olivia being in Michigan the past three days to be with her sick grandfather, and having to take care of the girls. However, I could still have done some cross-training had I wanted to. The real reason I haven’t done any cross training is because of frustration and anger over being injured again, and allowing excuses to win out over training.
This was brought to a head earlier in the week when Olivia was also diagnosed with a stress fracture, and will also have to miss the St. Jude Country Music race later this month. Both of us love running and racing, and it is so disheartening to work this hard and then not be able to do the thing we love. In an instant we go from peak condition, and ready to engage beast mode, to sitting on the bench.
I’m not a Kobe Bryant fan, but last night when I heard about his torn achilles tendon, I remember thinking that he must feel the same way times a million. This morning, most major news and sports sites were commenting about a Facebook post he made regarding the injury. I have copied it below with the expletives deleted:
All the training and sacrifice just flew out the window with one step that I’ve done millions of times! The frustration is unbearable. The anger is rage. Why the [deleted] did this happen ?!? Makes no [deleted] sense. Now I’m supposed to come back from this and be the same player Or better at 35?!? How in the world am I supposed to do that??
I have NO CLUE. Do I have the consistent will to overcome this thing? Maybe I should break out the rocking chair and reminisce on the career that was. Maybe this is how my book ends. Maybe Father Time has defeated me…Then again maybe not! It’s 3:30am, my foot feels like dead weight, my head is spinning from the pain meds and I’m wide awake. Forgive my Venting but what’s the purpose of social media if I won’t bring it to you Real No Image?? Feels good to vent, let it out. To feel as if THIS is the WORST thing EVER! Because After ALL the venting, a real perspective sets in. There are far greater issues/challenges in the world then a torn achilles. Stop feeling sorry for yourself, find the silver lining and get to work with the same belief, same drive and same conviction as ever.
One day, the beginning of a new career journey will commence. Today is NOT that day.
“If you see me in a fight with a bear, prey for the bear”. Ive always loved that quote. Thats “mamba mentality” we don’t quit, we don’t cower, we don’t run. We endure and conquer.
I know it’s a long post but I’m Facebook Venting LOL. Maybe now I can actually get some sleep and be excited for surgery tomorrow. First step of a new challenge.
Guess I will be Coach Vino the rest of this season. I have faith in my teammates. They will come thru.
Thank you for all your prayers and support. Much Love Always.
Mamba Out
I realize I’m not an elite athlete being paid millions of dollars to compete like Kobe, but I feel the same roller-coaster of emotions that he expresses in this post. I KNOW this is nothing in the grand scheme of things, but it is still frustrating, and I still feel anger. I KNOW I want to work hard to overcome this, but questions fill my mind. At 38, is it possible to ever set a PR again? Qualify for Boston? Train hard without getting a stress fracture? I DO NOT KNOW!
Well, it is time to break out of my slothfulness, and get back to work. Thanks for letting me vent for a minute. Gonna take the girls out to the park for a hike before heading to pickup Olivia from the airport. Next week will be a better week.
Link to Article >> Amid Tensions, North Korea Prepares For Annual Marathon
(Thanks to Jeff Whittle for sharing this article)
Anybody else know there was a marathon in North Korea? Seems like one of the last places in the world anyone would want to go for a marathon, especially this year. Here’s a excerpt from the article:
North Korea is preparing for the 26th annual Mangyongdae Prize International Marathon, scheduled to take place this Sunday in the capital city of Pyongyang.
Despite warnings of pre-emptive nuclear strikes and imminent war, ahead of the marathon state TV showed a calm scene in Pyongyang yesterday, with North Koreans holding open air dances in preparation for their April 15 national holiday.
Held every year on the streets of North Korea’s capital city, the Mangyongdae Prize International Marathon will take place this Sunday as part of a broader multiple-day sports tournament held to commemorate the April 15 birthday of North Korea’s founding leader, Kim Il Sung.
About this same time last year, I remember thinking I had been extremely fortunate to have only missed one race due to injury, especially considering how many races I’ve participated in since 2008. Well, a year later, and 2 stress fractures later, I have now missed 8 total races. This really hit me yesterday after Olivia was diagnosed with a severe tibial stress fracture, and will miss the upcoming St. Jude Country Music Half Marathon. Between the two of us, we have now missed 12 races due to stress fractures and other injuries. These are…
Timothy
- 2008 St. Jude Half Marathon – ITBS
- 2012 Milwaukee Lakefront Marathon – Stress Fracture
- 2012 Murfreesboro “Middle” Half Marathon – Stress Fracture
- 2012 Chickamauga Marathon – Stress Fracture
- 2012 Flying Monkey Marathon – Stress Fracture
- 2013 Oak Barrel Half Marathon – Stress Fracture
- 2013 St. Jude Country Music Marathon – Stress Fracture
- 2013 500 Festival Mini Marathon – Stress Fracture
Olivia
- 2011 Tupelo 14.2-Miler – Stress Fracture
- 2011 Women’s Half Marathon – Stress Fracture
- 2011 Chicago Marathon – Stress Fracture
- 2013 St. Jude Country Music Half Marathon – Stress Fracture
There’s a LOT of running frustration in the Team Agee household right now. However, as I always say, this is NOTHING in the grand scheme of things, and we are very, very blessed in the life that we have.
Since both of us will be missing the St. Jude Country Music race, Kate will be carrying the Team Agee banner as she participates in her 8th kid’s marathon!
I’m so over cross-training instead of running, but I’m still doing it anyway!
This week I’ve completed…
- 2 hours 20 minutes aqua jogging
- 2 hours 30 minutes on the bike
- 1 hour on the elliptical
- Various push-up, pull-up, & leg workouts
Today I started out the morning with an easy 30 minutes on the bike before leaving to go help a friend move for about 4 hours. Once I got home, I really didn’t want to head back out the door to the gym, but at this moment I’m finishing up an hour on the elliptical before doing some upper-body work.
Today has been a tough day because I had to miss the Oak Barrel Half Marathon in Lynchburg, TN. This is one of my favorite races, and I was hoping this year to finally place in my age group after 2 consecutive 4th place finishes. Turned out that the top 3 were between 1:28:36 & 1:30:45. Last year I ran a 1:29. Made it tougher to swallow.
I am happy for my friend Paxton though who finished second in his age group and got to take home that sweet oak barrel plank award.
Anyway…everybody else keep beast mode going while I’m on the bench.
Running has enhanced every aspect of my life. If everyone ran, the world would be a better place.
-Josh Cox (@JoshCox)
A couple of weeks ago I posted about my interest in the adidas Energy Boost, and today they officially introduced two new shoes in the Boost line, which will only be available at the Boston Marathon expo next week before they are available to the general public in the fall. I’m particularly intrigued by the adizero Adios Boost model (pictured above), which is an updated version of the current world record marathon shoe.
Per adidas
After the successful launch of Boost midsole technology with an energy return unlike any other, adidas is providing a sneak peek of the latest iterations with the unveil of the adistar Boost and adizero Adios Boost during the marathon. Limited pairs of each shoe will be available exclusively at the adidas booth at the Boston Marathon Expo before they go on sale to the public in August and October, respectively.
This is to another video from Desi Davila’s comeback from a femoral (femur) shaft stress fracture that forced her to miss the 2012 Olympic Marathon and 2013 Boston Marathon. I first watched this today as I was cross-training on a stationary bike, and man did it get me fired up to get back out there on the road! Very solid workout in cold conditions.
Here’s the short description from the Flo Track website:
In one of her first workouts back, Desi Davila knocks out a 6 mile cutdown in the cold Michigan winter.
Desi Davila is absolutely one of my favorite runners in the world. This video is the first time she has spoken publicly since dropping out of the 2012 London Olympic marathon after only a couple of miles. At the time of the marathon, she was dealing with an undiagnosed upper-leg injury, which was later discovered to be a femoral (femur) stress fracture. This is the same injury that I’ve now experienced twice over the past seven months, and seeing this video gets me fired up about getting back on the road. I know she hasn’t announced any future races other than the 2016 Olympics, but I’m kid of hoping she decides to make her comeback at the New York City Marathon this November. Would be cool to have both of our comebacks at the same race!
Here’s the description of the video from the Flo Track website:
She’s back. In her first interview since the London Olympics, Desi Davila opens up about the highs and lows of the Games. Leading up to the Olympic Marathon, Davila knew something was wrong, but hadn’t found a firm diagnosis. After 2.2 miles, she was forced to step off the course left wondering “what could have been.”
It wasn’t tendonitis or some mystery injury. After another MRI, doctors found a stress fracture at the top of her right femoral shaft. She’s fully recovered, but how long will it take her to regain her Olympic form?
Not too long.
A couple of weeks ago I posted about 3 changes I was planning to make in my training once I come back from the current injury. The following are 3 more thoughts about changes I can make for the remainder of 2013.
- Incorporate more soft-surface running into my training. I used to be in the habit of doing at least one run per week on trails, but began to really slack on this beginning in 2012. I know that in addition to an extra rest day per week, it would be good for my legs to have one run per week on a surface softer than concrete or asphalt. I also know that incorporating more trail running will increase my overall leg strength.
- Drop a few pounds. I’m by no means overweight, but at the same time I’m about 10-pounds heavier than I was during 2010/2011. Losing these pounds would just take that much more pressure off of my legs while running.
- Be more consistent in cross-training. Back in 2010 / 2011 I went through the full P90X program twice, and then continued to do a large portion of the workouts for quite some time. These days, my cross training is inconsistent at best. While I don’t think I need to go back to the full P90X plan, I do believe a more consistent schedule will help in preventing injuries.
In the meantime, while I’m injured, I continue to put in as much time cross-training as I can. This includes aqua-jogging, biking, and elliptical. I’m so over the pool, but also know it is probably the best cross training I can do. Oh well….everybody else out there keep beast mode going while I’m on the bench.
What is Team Agee?
It is what we call our family, and represents our approach to faith and life together. We are team that…
(1) Strives to serve the Lord together in everything we do. Without God, the strength of this team would not be possible. Our number one priority in life is to follow Jesus Christ and pass this faith to our children.
(2) Enjoys doing things together, whether it be our family meals, going on a hike, or sharing a wonderful vacation.
(3) Faces everything together, including both joys and problems. We are in this as a team and understand that the good times are even better when enjoyed together, and dealing with difficulties is much easier when faced as a family.
(4) Aims to be physically active and maintain a healthy lifestyle. All of us enjoy running and exercising at some level, but we always allow our kids to choose the things they want to do. Both have participated in running races, but they also like hiking, gymnastics, ballet, and yoga. Our main goal is to establish a foundation of being active that will carry on throughout our lives.
Our Team Agee Blog launched in 2010 on Tumblr and was a way for us to share the journey of our family as it relates to the ideas listed above. Now, we have decided to move to our our own website as a way to provide a better platform for not only the Blog, but also Bible Study Materials, Sermon Audio, Race Reviews, Gear Reviews, and interacting with followers.
For our connections on Tumblr, we have not abandoned you! All of the blog posts on this site will be automatically posted to our Tumblr site.
We welcome you to pay our new site a visit and let us know what you think!
Runkeeper for iPad – The Next Revolution in Running
(Source: http://www.youtube.com/)
