2.25 miles

Random picture from the web? You betcha! Only those of you in the inner circle even know what terms would have been entered into Google Image ;)

So anyway, it's been a week since my last post. Also a week since I was going to run. Since then so much has happened. It's been one sugary sweet week, for everything but running.

Since my ankle hurt like a son of a bitch after the race I thought I should take some more time off than just a day or two. A week seemed more than appropriate; especially since I still hurt last Monday.

Today was 2.25 miles in 23 minutes. Roughly a 10 minute pace, just where I want to be. Not surprisingly I was tired through most of the run, my lungs just wouldn't keep up. Ultimately I suppose that's a good thing, since more speed would mean more pain (I assume).

On a separate note: I have discovered that my ankle is now a very accurate barometer. I can sense weather changes, and impending rain pretty accurately; and painfully I might add. Since it seems very paranormal, I haven't talked to many folks about it, but tc tells me she has similar sensations (in her legs), so now I am open to it. Tell me, anyone else out there have the same barometric super-powers? If so, how freakin odd is it? I'm still adjusting, for now I'm perturbed at the aching alerts I get via ankle plate.

So what's next? No clue, but I can tell you no running till Thursday at the earliest.

AIDS 5k Run

The AIDS Foundation of Chicago 5k run and walk was Saturday September 16th. I, along with many coworkers patricipated. It's one of the events our organization supports each year. I ran it, of course. My unofficial results:

time: 29:06
pace: 9:23

That was OK for my first race back. I didn't intend, or need, to run better than a 10:00 pace, but somehow the second mile was faster than it should have been, and then in the last halfmile I just kicked it into gear.

I probably shouldn't have. My ankle swelled real bad, and hurt like an S.O.B. both that night and this morning. Oh well.

up next: Monday - 2 miles.

2.8 miles

Sweet, like sugar.

For now that's not so bad. Almost three miles (sorry folks, I forgot my geek-tastic GPS unit) in 28:29. That's about a 10:10 pace. A vast improvement on my typical pace as of late. But it's also a good reason I shouldn't run alone; I need a little "help" with slowing down.

Here's one reason I need help slowing down. I am rather sure not every other runner is wired the way I am. When I see people up ahead...and by people I mean pedestrians...I speed up. Is it vanity? A need to show people that I am actually running? or is it the competitor in me? Just like I chased down that poor 8 y.o. during last year's Wheaton 5k just to beat him out at the finish and have his family label me as "that mean man"? I mean, I am a competitive person after all. I've even cheated at a friendly card game (sorry mom, but you must have already known dad and I weren't that lucky)

I'm not sure. But those of you who know me pretty well, probably have your own thoughts.

Up next:
Thursday - rest day
Friday - 1.5miles

continuing poo

Crap.

That's how my 2 miles felt yesterday...like crap. I found out that heel striking, which is simply what i do, isn't for me anymore. Too many psychological barriers to get past (is my leg gonna break? was that a twinge of pain or just general stiffness? is this what it used to feel like?). Needless to say I started landing on my forefoot; there's simply more cushion and shock absorber-like action from my legs.

Result: my friggin right calf hurt all day today. I'm sore, and stiff, and I'm walking like a gimp...again.

This is crap.

well poo

Ok, so first things first. I ran last Thursday. Went just over 2 miles, I was aiming for 2, so it was a good estimate. Did it hurt to run? Not really. It felt not unlike it did last Tuesday, little odd, definite leg fatigue.

So that begs the question. Did it hurt later?

Yes.

So I took off this holiday weekend. No running Friday, Saturday, Sunday, Monday, and now Tuesday. That's five whole days. Five days man!

I will try again tomorrow. No promises. I just don't want to make any. I'm not in the mood.