Mid_december Run

It started out cold today but warmed into the fifties. Snow is in the forecast for tomorrow night, or at least th epossibility of it. Today's 6-miler went well and I still feel good. I keep thinking I'm dressed for warmer weather and feel cold when I start out but find I'm just right during the run and after. This was another run without the Garmin . It felt like I was running at a decent pace, even up the hills,. I think I'll continue this for a few more runs during the week, at least as long as I don't have to resort to the treadmill.

It Was a Cold and Windy Day

It wasn't really too cold, but it was kind of windy. Today marked another day back on the road from the race and I went 7 miles. I ran my usual 6-mile route and tacked on a bit more uphill toward 291 and a block into a couple of neighborhoods to add another 5,280 feet. Apparently I ran it in a pretty good pace since my Garmin (yes, I took it this time so I'd know when I got to 7 miles) had me at a 9:07 pace. That's not normally what I would shoot for on a long run but that's how it turned out today and it felt comfortable, so I'm okay with that.

As to my right foot, other than earlier this week when it hurt it's been improving every day. I washed the plantar sock, as I call it, so that I don't stink up a room when I come in. I used the k-tape for the run and that seem sufficient. Whereas before I felt a constant pain, even when sitting and doing nothing, now notice only on an occasion where I tweak it when walking. It felt just fine during the run and I'm grateful for that. My hope is that in a couple of weeks I won't even notice a problem.

Still No GPS

I've been running without the Garmin and it's been great. Not that I'll do it all the time, but for these runs to recover from the race I think it's been crucial to a good run. I just go out and run what's comfortable. Tuesday I ran fairly quick, or at least what felt like it, while tonight I backed off a bit. Plus we had a Christmas lunch today at the buffet and I knew it was to not jar the fatty deposits in my arteries too much. I even considered phoning it in today and resting but the temperature was about 50 degrees when I got home. I know colder temps are coming and I refuse to miss a day of nice running weather when it's in my control to do so. I went the full 6 miles as planned and felt - and feel - great. I don't think I burned enough calories to make up for the buffet but I made a good-sized dent in the total.

Feeling Prime

I ran 5 miles today and could have gone 6, but I decided there was no need for the extra mile at this point. Last week I ran three times and did 4-5-6 and this week I can go 5-6-7. Seems like a logical progression. Then next week I'll break the pattern and do 6-6-8 to get back to 20 miles per week. That seems like a good maintenance level for the winter until I decide which race to run in the spring. Once I figure that out I can create a training plan to get me there.

Close to Winter

The official first day of winter is December 22nd, and today was a step in that direction. It's been warm lately but is now on the downward slope. When I ran today the temperature was in the thirties, but it felt much colder relatively speaking compared to what we've experienced so far. I ran 6 miles, making a total of 15 miles for the first week back.

The great new development is the tape I ordered. It came in Friday and I wore it last night and all day today, including while running. It certainly seems to be making a difference quickly. It's incredibly lightweight. I plan on wearing it for the next several days and by Tuesday's run we'll see what kind of progress has been made.

Adding a Mile

The cold weather she's a comin'. Today was cloudy and less nice than Tuesday, but still not horrible. I added a mile and went 5 today, feeling good all the way. The couple of weeks off seems to have recharged me, which is good, especially since I didn't sleep well last night. I kept today's pace modest. This morning on the way to work I had the wonderful thought, "Today I get to run!" It made me feel good, as did the actual running. If only I was that easily amused every day.

New Run

The weather so far this December has been unseasonably warm. After the race I decided to take two weeks off and let my knee and foot heal. The knee feels great, but the foot has not changed. Given that resting doesn't seem to be helping in addition to the nice weather, I decided rest time was over and it was time to run. So I did.

Today I started with no Garmin, shorts, and a long-sleeved technical T and went 4 miles. Let me just say that it felt really good to be back out there again. It looks like I'll get to enjoy one more warm run before the weather turns cold.

As I ran I reflected about the race. During the just under two hours of that run my knee felt fine, my foot didn't hurt, and there was no trace of the abdominal pain I had during the appendix scare earlier this year. It was like everything that I'd been fighting all year disappeared for a great, almost perfect, run. Other than the mild case of plantar fasciitis that's lingered the run today was good. Tonight I ordered a compression sock that I should be able to wear at night as well as with shoes if needed. It should be here next week and I'm hopeful it will provide some relief.