Training Log 2/8/2026-2/14/2026
Not much to report this week regarding my progress, except that my left leg is improving and feels about 70% normal. I can confirm that using the Tiger Balm patches for 16 hours each day has helped significantly in restoring my leg's strength. Fingers crossed. I might avoid the gym for a while and instead use light girly dumbbells at home for some gentle leg workouts, rather than lifting heavy weights. I took the first part of the week off and did some faster, shorter runs at the end of the week because I felt like moving more quickly for some reason.
Step Count for the week: 168,457
Miles: 31 miles
Time: 4hrs 42min
Elevation: 4,193ft
Sunday, February 8, 2026
Off
Monday, February 9, 2026
Off
Tuesday, February 10, 2026
Off
Wednesday, February 11, 2026
Off
Thursday, February 12, 2026
Road Run
Distance 7.50 mi
Moving Time 59:33
Pace 7:56 /mi
Elevation 761 ft
Avg Heart Rate 145bpm
Friday, February 13, 2026
Road Run
Distance 9.75 mi
Moving Time 1:28:24
Pace 9:04 /mi
Elevation 1,143 ft
Avg Heart Rate 131bpm
Saturday, February 14, 2026
Trail Run
Distance 13.32 mi
Moving Time 2:12:00
Pace 9:54 /mi
Elevation 2,392 ft
Avg Heart Rate 145bpm
With Valentine's Day yesterday, I wanted to share something that shows my love, even though I tend to be on the stoic side and rarely show my emotions to others, including those I truly care about. We all have someone in the world who is our true love, but we have to seek them out. Some of us lose that love, and others have it taken away. Yet, I am one of those who was given a second chance in life to find love again. Even though Michelle and I may seem like opposites on the surface—me being stoic and reserved, and her showing more emotion than I ever could—our differences work because they balance each other. She often says she loves me or compliments me on what I do or how I look, while I struggle to express how I feel about her or to give her the praise she deserves. I’m not completely terrible at it, because I do hold Michelle in my heart in ways she knows my love for her, and I listen to her input. Still, I find it hard to always act on that input for her. Our differences are actually key to how we get along and grow, especially given that we didn’t even know each other existed in this world at first. Being together these past few years has changed us for the better. I bring my discipline and calmness in difficult situations, while Michelle offers her opinions on areas where I could improve. It’s funny sometimes to see her reaction when she hears stories from my past—about my days as a binge drinker and how I was sometimes mean to others before she knew me. She looks at me differently now because I’ve worked on becoming a better person, compared to my younger self who hadn’t figured things out yet—like all of us. I’m not saying I’m perfect now, but it’s definitely easier to be around me these days. Michelle and I are still a work in progress, but we each day grow closer rather than grow apart, as so many relationships do when they follow a path that doesn’t nurture love.
Always strive for a second chance, even if you feel you don’t deserve it.