Thursday and Friday

Thursday was an interesting run. It was crappy in Chicago that day, windy, rainy, cold...but that didn't stop me and tc from running. Did a very fun, wet, and interesting 3 miles. Then, we did what made more sense...got beer. Ahhh, there's nothing like a big draft after a run (even one as short as 3 miles).

Friday was less wet and enjoyable, if only for the fact that the 5 miles were done on a treadmill. Treadmills are evil, but necessary things. Figured I'd lift a bit too, hit 'em good, but let's face it, I have a runner's build so no matter the amount I lift...I'm not gonna be Hulk Hogan-esque.

Funny story...I'd say runners are known for being 3 things 1) dedicated to routine 2) obstinate in their training schedule and 3) being as prepared as possible. Taking all factors into account, I e-mailed the race directors seeking a course map for the upcoming 10 miler. The response included, among other nuggets, a warning that part of the course would take place on Lake Shore Drive and that I should not attempt to run that portion prior to race day! Now then, LSD is a traffic-heavy winding road that spans the eastern edge of Chicago. I am not sure just what kind of crazy they think I am, but suicidal is not part of the mix. What idiot would run on LSD? I have no idea, but I do know it would go waaaaay beyond dedicated, obstinate, and prepared.

Up next: going to run as much of the 10 miler course as possible.

Amen for Dixie Cups!

Ran just a bit too long yesterday: 11.7 miles not 11. Unsure why, but it felt good the entire time. This is a definite success. The pace was 8:43 on average, and the shins didn't hurt once. Went right home afterwards and iced them with the Dixie Cup method. Learned this neat trick from tc.

Fill dixie cups most of the way with water, freeze overnight, rip off the top half or so of the cup, invert, and ice those shins! Oohhhhhhhhh yeah, that's nice. Controlled icy goodness.

It's been a week

Yes it has, a week since I visited my physician. Since then I've not done any speedwork...no track days, no tempo runs, no hills. I did however have a lower leg X-Ray and nuclear bone scan. The results? As yet, unknown ("call back Monday").

I have however managed to maintain my training schedule, with the sole exception of Tuesday (the day of the bone scan). I should recap.

Monday -rested from my Sunday long run.
Tuesday - Bone scan and X-Ray. The bone scan was fascinating. They inject dye into your arm, and within minutes you can see specks of it circulating in your bloodstream; even way down in the lower legs. The scan and X-Ray took a total of 4 hours so it effectively killed my training for the day.
Wednesday - Cross trained. No impact, no danger.
Thursday - ran during lunch. Hit the track for 4 easy miles with tc. She was gonna tempo, but has been have hammie issues, so we took it easy.
Friday - 5 miles, again on the treadmill.
Today - 6 miles. Took to a local limestone path. Nice sunny day, think I got a tan. What I didn't get was leg pain, or at least mot much.

Up next: 11 miles.