disappointed

Did the Wild Hare 25k this past Saturday in 3:21.  Pretty disappointed about how hard I had to work on that course to get that time.  My running really seems to have gone downhill pretty dramatically lately.  I need 10 miles to get to 1100 for the year and will then start what is most likely going to be a 2 month layoff.  I feel like a good rest is what my mind and body need.  I'm going to get busy with yoga, core and stretching and come back stronger than ever.

pansy

First family run in a while.  Doggie can still run!!   An easy 4 miles in the 'hood included long sleeve shirt, short sleeve shirt and gloves.....'tis the season for me to be a pansy.

heal

Had a good run with Cris S yesterday at Forest Ridge.  Perfect weather!!  As of today I'm at 1071 miles for the year.  As soon as I get to 1100 miles I'm cashing it in for at least the rest of the year.  My body needs a rest and I feel like if I don't do this now my running really will be cut short.  I'm having my best running year in regards to miles since '08 so it makes since to shut it down now, rest on my mileage laurels and let my body heal.  I plan on coming back stronger than ever!!

1:56!!

Excellent 7 mile at Townlake this morning.  Misty joined me and Mark for the first several miles.  She has a 4 day weekend so she did the 10 mile loop while Mark and I did the usual.  I was pretty sluggish at first but felt great the last 4 or so.  The lunges I've been doing are really working.  I could really tell a difference this morning and it'll only get better the next several months.  Misty had a PR for the 10 mile loop btw.  1:56!!

lunges

Ran Saturday for the 1st time in 2 weeks.  It sure was nice to be out on the trail on Ken's.  Misty and her friend Karah joined me.  It was my first test of turning a pair of Altra Lone Peaks into a super padded shoe.  I wouldn't call it a success or a failure.  The padding part seemed to work okay.  I do need to make some adjustments for the neuroma lift.  The strange part of the morning was some severe tightness in my lower back.  It was bad enough to cut our run short by 2 miles.  Even with a bunch stretching and ibuprofen it didn't get any better Saturday.  Here's the really weird part.  I woke up Sunday totally pain free!!  I can't explain it.  During our run Karah suggested it was my shoes.  At the time I poo pooed that suggestion but I think it's very possible she's right.   It's definitely looking like it's a work in progress.

On another note, I did some lunges after our Saturday run.  Not very many but I did some.  I'm seriously realizing my running is being impaired by weakness in my quads and glutes and over all lack of strength.  I'm tight deep in my glutes/ quads yesterday and today but my knees already have a more stable feel to them.  I'm only going to do the lunges and other leg stuff on run days so that rest days are still rest days.   I'm really excited about how much my running might improve.