Training Time

Ahh, I am so glad I was able to get three miles of actual running in

today. My left ankle still hurt but the pain became less noticeable as

I ran. I iced it afterwards and it is feeling ok right now. As for the

actual running, I definitely could tell that I hadn't run for nine

days, but I was able to get through it fairly easily.

Second day back running.  Ankle/foot is still uncomfortable when running but is feeling a lot better than last week.  

I was surprised by my pace on this run. I tried a few different things

in the first mile to get my ankle to feel better and picking up the

pace made things much better. The ankle is a little sore right now but

no stinging pain.

It was a rainy and windy morning, so it wasn't all that much fun.  Still it is the last long run before next week's marathon.

Nice start to marathon week.  I took Ethan in the jogger stroller since he was awake.  It was a very pleasant morning to run easy.

Ahhh...now the top of my foot hurts.  My wife is beginning to think there is a more significant meaning behind all the problems I have been having the past three weeks.  Not really sure what to think about that, but I guess I should just relax a bit.  I am going to take tomorrow off and then get one last good run in before the marathon.

I ran on the treadmill over lunch.  My foot felt really good for once, so after a mile warm up I did a few quarter mile pickups at marathon pace.  The pace felt pretty comfortable, so I am feeling a little more comfortable that I didn't sacrifice much of my training work by taking it really easy the past couple of weeks.  The true test though will be in just a few days. Lots of ice the next two days and I should be good to go.

Last run before the marathon on Sunday.

It was a terrific day for a race.  I was really nervous heading into this race due to the injury problems I have been fighting the past three weeks.  Fortunately, everything felt pretty good throughout and I managed to PR by over 18 minutes.  That feels really good and gives me the drive to keep training because without the reduced training I think I could have finished stronger.  Now I just need to find that next race.  Below are more details of the race.

 I was up at 3:45 to eat some breakfast and then headed to the race with my buddy Josh at 5:15.  We arrived in Green Bay at 6:00.  That gave us an hour to hang out and get ready.  It was a combined start with the half-marathon so I didn't get very close to the front for the start.  For the most part, I don't mind this as it makes it very easy to be conservative and not start too fast.  I felt really good through the first half and hit the half-way point in 1:40 and change.  Unfortunately, I couldn't hold the 7:40 per mile pace over the second half.  Most of the miles were in the 7:50 to 8:00 range so at least I was consistent.  The wheels fell off around mile 23 as I just felt really dehydrated and my legs were tightening up.  Mile 24 was at 9:22 and Mile 25 was at 10:04.  I pulled it back together after that and finished reasonably strong as the last mile includes a lap around Lambeau Field which was a really cool experience to be that close to the "Frozen Tundra."

Overall, I am happy with the results but at the same time I find myself wondering what if the last three weeks had gone as smoothly as the first part of the training.  I guess I will just have to find out next time.

It is hard to believe it has been two weeks since the marathon already and today was my first day of running since then.  My left foot has been bothering me since the marathon and each time I attempted to run the pain was pretty severe.  With no races in the immediate future, I figured it was well worth it to just take it easy and keep up my fitness as much as possible with biking.  Anyways, I have been pretty much pain free for three days so I thought I would give running a try.  It was pretty short but just pounding the pavement felt good.  I had a little discomfort while I was running but it wasn't painful so to speak.  I will likely just bike tomorrow and then try five miles on Wednesday.  I am scheduled to meet with a doc on Friday just to give myself some piece of mind if nothing else.