Run Maynard, Run!

Well, according to Pfitzinger, I should be good to go to start up a running schedule: I've been able to walk pretty much pain free throughout this whole deal--I even went on a strenuous 3 hour hike yesterday without any pain.  The short distances I have run--getting out of the way of a bus and chasing a dog--have also been completely pain free.  So, I think I'm good to go. 

Pfitzinger recommends run/walks to begin and he also has pool running mixed in.  As I don't have access to a pool, I'll just call those days "rest days." 

My only concern with his "Sample" Returning from Injury Schedule has me running a long run of 55 minutes at the end of 7 weeks!  Furthermore, he suggests that, "The amount of time required to return to a full training generally ranges from 6 weeks to 4 months."  http://pfitzinger.com/labreports/stressfracture.shtml  Seriously, I hope I'm closer to the 6 weeks as my Top of Utah registration is bought and paid for--and I really hate to pay for something and not subject myself to the requisite abuse.  I guess we'll see.

I'm shooting for a 6 a.m. run first thing tomorrow morning around the neighborhood.  I was thinking 2 miles but will make the final call as I start and progress through the run.  Keep your fingers crossed for me, aight?

NO PAIN OR DISCOMFORT!

Well, aside from the kind you'd expect after not having run in 45 days or so.

Yay!

Didn't make it out this morning, but made sure I did tonight.  Ran/walked the whole distance, but I figure close to 3 of it was running very easy and slow.

AFHS track / 4 miles / 42:30 / 10:37 A.P.

Ran 3 laps, walked 1 except on the last mile--I ran the whole thing.  3.25 running, .75 walking.  No leg pain.  =)

At 3.4 miles, something in my right calf when, "doink!" and I ended up limping the last .2 back home.  :(  I really really really hope it's nothing!

Jogged 3 laps, walked 1, jogged 3, walked 1, jogged 3, walked 1, jogged 2, and then jogged the final 2 barefoot.  4 total miles at the high school track.

4.0 miles / 45:14 / 11:20 A.P.

I thought on the first lap that the "doink" from Monday was going to be an issue as I had a sore knot in the back of my calf, but it loosened up pretty quick and the rest of the run was quite enjoyable.  The knees are still a bit stiff and rusty.

Hiked Timp Friday night/Saturday morning.  Fourteen or so miles, two blisters, a sunburned forehead, and WAY too many people on the trail--it's good to be home.  It was a might cooler up there though!

Spent the night at Emerald Lake, and at 4:00 a.m. I was awakened by the sound of lots and lots of people working their way up both the Timpooneke and Aspen Grove trails.  As I looked over towards the saddle, there was a constant and steady stream of flashlights.  Not too much longer those lights appeared 1300 feet above my bed at the peak.  There had to have been at least 100 people up there at the top for the sunrise this morning!

Saw more mountain goats on this trip than I have on all my previous trips combined!

5.02 miles / 44:58 / 8:58 A.P. / Provo River Trail

Ran the whole 5 miles--hope I don't regret it later.  No pain throughout the run.  Wished I had an energy drink of vodka and OJ about 2/3rds of the way in though.  I hear it works wonders!

4.01 miles / 0:35:57 / 8:58 A.P. / @ Home

Stupid shoe!  Stitching rubs the instep of my foot--or have I mentioned that before?  Guess it's been a while since I've run in these shoes.

Was going to go more but I'm glad I decided to call it good at 4.

Tomorrow is a day off--donating platelets after work.

5.58 miles / 0:50:26 / 9:03 A.P. / Home

Had to do some serious self-talking-to to get me out on the road tonight.  And all through the first mile I kept saying I needed to go back.  Glad I didn't.

The right knee was barking at me a lot during the first mile, but it settled down in the second and wasn't an issue at all from then on.  I think the 'fix' I put in place on my shoe will help.  Ultimately though, I may end up removing some of the stitching.  There was a pretty stiff breeze blowing from the south-west that kept the bugs to a minimum--running this close to Utah Lake has, as one of its hazards, bugs aplenty.  Other hazards include (but are not limited to) pot holes, critters (skunks and raccoons) the sewage treatment plant, and trucks hauling boats and horse trailers.

This running thing, I think, is good for me in more ways that one.  Anyways, I've come to the conclusion that I'm still fairly bitter and angry about a few things in life, and running gives me the opportunity to run some of the frustration off.  Maybe one of these days I'll figure out how to run it off for good!

6.09 miles / 0:54:36 / 8:58 A.P. / Provo River Trail

19 more days 'til Top of Utah and this has been my longest run since June.  I sure hope Sept. 18 is a cool and overcast day!

Good run--lots of folks out on the trail today: long boarders ignorant of the restrictions, bikers, walkers, and runners.  No roller-bladers today.  I feel like I should make one observation, maybe as part of a public service announcement: Basic compression shorts do not a pair of spandex biking shorts make--especially if those compression shorts are sheer.

6.2 miles / Provo River Trail

No watch, no time.