Up to 10K

It's been a little while since my last post, but the good news is I am running.

Consistently.

Sort of.

I made it to the Y three times and all three time I ran, lifted and did cycle or elliptical. I left there each time drench and feeling great.

Today I ventured out into the cold (a balmy 9 degrees -- 2 degrees with wind chill). And was able to get in 10k without too much pain. At one time I did lose feeling in my toes, but the feeling came back and I still have all appendages. With still almost 2 months out from the first trail race of the year, I am on track to be ready for the 15k distance with relative ease (and a half mary by May with no problem - just need to decide on which race still).

Hopefully by my next post, I'll have a race all figured out for the Spring and more details on the Run 4 Everett race in August. Until then, happy running and stay warm out there...

Moving Slowly

Two weeks into the new year and I haven't taken the time to sit down and decide on this year's races. Which half marathons? what full marathon(s)? what about trail runs? and, the obvious, what about training?!?!?

The good thing is that training for a half is not too bad, and I have "reasonable" base mileage, but without that specific goal, it will be hard to keep a focus. I'll most likely keep it local, but with travel for work and the thoughts of a vacation this summer, the choices can open up even more.

I did get out on Saturday for a decent 4.25 mile run. The path was snow covered, but my screw shoes gave me great traction. I am hoping for 6 miles this coming weekend. The goal right now is to get to 15k distance by March for the first race in the DINO trail run series of the year.

We are still working out detail on the Race 4 Everett. I actually spent a little time this weekend and early this morning working a logo - which is really more font selection right now, but it I've been fussing with the composition which is harder than it sounds. I've come up with something that is quite simple, but has a lot of meaning in it. I'm sure I'll be tweaking here and there before the race, but I am ready to create a prototype t-shirt that I'll wear at the gym that will have the race details on the back -- some free advertising.

Still lots to do and I'm not moving as quickly as I'd like, but slow and steady wins the race...

Hitting the Reset Button

It's 3 days into the new year and the possibilities are endless. It is time to start fresh and refocus. I still have not decided on which races I am doing this year (except for one), but the general goal is to run a half marathon in the spring (April or May) and then a Full in October or November (and possibly one in December). I think it will help to have the specific races decided on to get me motivated and focused. I would really like to have a PR or two thrown in there for good measure... it's been 3 years since I've PR'd anything, so it's time.

I didn't get out for a run on New Year's Day like I had hoped -- the weather was just so awesome -- I instead worked on making a new mailbox post to replace the one some moron plowed over a few weeks ago. With the snow all melted and nice warm temps it actually gave me the perfect opportunity to get it done, though it was a perfect opportunity for a run too! It took all weekend, but got the post cut to match the neighborhood standard and got it primed, painted and back in the ground by 5:30 last night. And it looks great if I do say so myself.

It wasn't all work and no play over the long weekend though. I did get out for a run on Friday (the last one of 2010) and I had to run trails, which probably wasn't the wisest choice, as it was a quite muddy from all the melted snow and rain we received. Because of that, my run was slow and plodding with slipping and sliding everywhere - but it was still great. Later that evening when I was in the garage working on the mailbox post, I had a twinge of pain in my left leg, somewhat reminiscent of a stress fracture. I shrugged it off at first as just standing on the concrete floor for so long.

I didn't run Saturday or Sunday (though I had hoped to run Sunday at the Y when we went to re-join after about 6 years). I didn't notice any more pain in the leg though. So this morning I went to the Y for a run on the treadmill to test out the leg. I was doing just fine for the first 2-1/2 miles then that same twinge happened again. It wasn't so painful that I had to stop, but I did end up cutting my run short to just 4 miles. I actually think it is just a tweaked ligament, or at least that is what I am telling my self right now... looks like I need to ice it and do low-impact for awhile... at least now I have options at the Y. A good time to work on biking and swimming maybe. I'd like to give a triathlon a try sometime -- and how cool would an Ironman be?! Who knows, 2011 is still young -- anything is possible.