My big plans of getting fit and diesel this summer haven't exactly come about. I got back to running after the marathon after a week or two of lots of spin classes. I joined the YMCA, started some drills, plyos, and hill sprints and my foot decided it was not liking that. So I have spent most of the last 6 weeks battling plantar fascitis. I've been able to run a little and cycle and hike, but haven't been able to take advantage of the classes at the YMCA. I guess I will just add the extras as I get better. A brief summary of the summer so far...
Week 23: 17 miles and Newton 10K. Went to the 10K with Greg just to get a run in- it was slow and my legs were still pretty tired from the marathon or perhaps the daily- sometimes double- cycle classes I've been taking. But it was a nice day- we barefoot run a little afterward in a nice field.
Week 24: 33 miles. Lots of Kilburn miles and core.
Week 25: 18 miles. The foot started acting up midweek a day after a bout of hill sprints. I hate running in the heat anyway.
Week 26: 7 miles. Lots of spin classes all week and then a 7 mile run in Kilburn Sunday.
Week 27: 18 miles. Went to Rhode Island and ran on the Cliff Walk and through Newport for a few miles. Foot felt like it could be pushed a bit. Did not run Four on the Fourth because I wasn't feeling well. Oh well, next year. It was fun to watch. At the end of the week we hiked Caribou Mtn in the White Mtns of Maine. Very nice hike- cool waterfalls. The first blueberries of the summer spotted in Kilburn while running with Griffin.
Week 28: 29 miles. I guess it always feels like you lose more time due to injury than you really do, but the foot isn't perfect yet- just to the point where I can run through it now- like I was pretty much all year anyway. Spent a lot of time in Freidsam Park with Griffin since Greg was away at a running camp.
Week 29: 42 miles. Biggest mileage since before the marathon. I got a lot of miles, but mostly shorter stuff without a day off and doubling added up. Still haven't had a good long run. Tried the 10 mile loop from our house to and around spofford lake. This is not an easy loop- pretty, but NOT easy and not one I'll be doing on a weekly basis. Tough run. Speaking of tough runs...we did the Dublin 5K Saturday. Also a route that time doesn't tell you much unless you are comparing it to yourself. That will be interesting for next year. I did the final mile (hill) twice and had a good workout day. Got to run with Emily Monday night in Saxton's River and ran with Tat a couple times in Keene. It is fun to have people to run with!
Overall I am at 954 miles for the year- a couple hundred miles ahead of last year! Should reach 1000 this week. The foot is manageable now- not perfect, but what runner feels perfect? I'll try to add the "extra's" as I can (plyos, hills, etc.) - carefully. I'm running out of summer at this point and just need to get on track before work starts kicking my butt. It took me awhile to get used to not having a lot to do - it was a tough adjustment- just ask Greg. I hated Summer- but you don't know what you got til its gone- in this case- almost gone. I'll try to make the best out of the last 2 weeks. I am still toying with the idea of the Cape Cod marathon, but the reality of work may end that quest. I will at least hope to be in better shape for Pisgah 23K. I didn't run last year due to sickness, so it'll be fun to be back assuming I stay healthy. This weekend a 10 mile trail race in RI and i'll begin to build the long run back up over the next couple weeks. Just trying to go with the flow! It's a process and I love it!
