Back At It

I failed to get out last night due only to laziness.  So I got up early and hit the treadmill for a half hour.  Got 3 miles with some vert and actually sweated for the first time in weeks.  Did some weights as well.

Seeing the doctor this afternoon to see what the deal with my ankle is.  I'm sure he'll just tell me to use an insert with arch support (which I actually have been doing this week) or to stop running.  I stopped for 3 weeks after the injury and it did NOTHING.  I feel like running a bit has helped it.  The only reason I'm seeing a doctor in the first place is to make sure there's no structural damage.  If that's the case, then I guess stopping for awhile would be best.  Crossing my fingers that's not the case because my motivation is shot as it is... Being sidelined again would absolutely crush me.

My doctor visit went EXACTLY as I thought... No major structural damage and I'm officially cleared to start training again.  I just need to make sure I stay under the pain threshold.  Could be interesting.  What will be even more interesting is where I'm gonna find the motivation to get out the door and run long again.  I have absolutely no desire at the moment.

Since I was cleared by the doctor last week to run, I just haven't had any motivation to get out.  When I got an email from Jun earlier in the week saying the boys were heading out to Antelope Island for a run, I knew it's what I needed to get mojo back.

I met up with Dorsimus, Scott, and Jun out on the island.  They were planning on doing a 50K and I was only planning on 15 or so since my ankle is still only about 70%.  We all basically stuck together for the first few miles and we all ran Lone Tree Hill.  My endurance felt great all day long, but my fitness was off.  That climb up the hill took it out of me.  I don't think I ever recovered from it.  However, I continued to push through the switchbacks.  Dorsimus was on my heels the whole way so he really kept me moving.

Once I hit the top of the switchbacks though, I had something happen that I've never experienced while running before... cramps!  Now I completely understand why it's such a big deal when people encounter them while running.  It was no fun, but it only happened a couple times on the way back.

Once we reached Elephant Head I said goodbye to the boys (who went on to finish their 50K) and I headed back to the car.  I took it nice and easy on the way back and just enjoyed being able to run again.  I love running out on the island.

I'm really proud of myself for knowing my limits today and sticking to it.  I wanted so badly to put in some more miles with the fellas, but I knew it probably wasn't a smart idea.  Looking forward to easing back into training the next couple weeks before ramping back up to where I should be right now.

Met up with my friend Scott and ran at the JRP.  He was running late so I ran a warm-up mile prior to meeting up with him.  We then did our 10K route.  Lots of good conversation to help pass the time and it was exactly what I needed today.  Weather was perfect... Probably 70 degrees or so.

Feeling like I'm starting to get back into a groove.  My ankle held up extremely well today and I didn't feel any weird twinges or pain at all... A great sign!  Hoping to put in at least 4 days this week then get back on track in the coming weeks.  Things are finally looking up!

I was really hoping to run yesterday but I ended up having a crazy busy day and wasn't able to get out.  Such is life.  So today I went and ran the BST in Draper out to the Gasline Trail, then up Ghost Falls and down Corner Canyon road.  Fairly muddy near the top of Ghost Falls but wasn't nearly as bad as I had imagined based on reports from others earlier in the week.

Still feeling a bit winded when I push it too hard, but my fitness is coming back, slowly.  Ankle felt good for the most part but was definitely sore afterward due to all the instability from the mud and what not.  My right IT band felt tight when I was coming down Corner Canyon road so I eased off just to make sure I didn't do any damage that would sideline me.  All these little things ya gotta be careful of when starting to train again!

All in all, a really great outing on a beautiful 70 degree day.

Did an out-and-back on the JRP before the weather started getting too nasty.  The wind was horrible, but it seems like it has been for the last week so no big deal.  I was hoping to get something a little longer in, but things are just too busy right now.  I guess I could wake up earlier, but that's no fun.

I'm moving this next Thursday so next week could be really interesting.  Plus adjusting to a new place and a new routine could make for some really inconsistent training.  On the other hand, it may be just what I need to get out and explore some new territory.  I'm also crewing my dad at the Buffalo Run 50 miler on Saturday, so I may get an opportunity to run a few miles out there.  We'll see what the week brings but I'll be so happy once it's over!

I didn't run yesterday due to time constraints.  It's a good thing though because I'm trying to slowly build back up so as to not get injured.  Too late.  My ankle is still only about 80% but it's to the point where I'm not worried about it any more.  However, after my run at the BST last week I noticed my right IT Band starting to tighten up.  It didn't bother me too much but I knew I'd have to watch it.   Well about 2 miles into my run today it came back, a little harder this time.  I went home and rolled it out good, but I can tell it's going to bother me a bit. 

I won't run again til Saturday just to give it some rest.  I'm ok with that since I'm moving on Thursday anyway.  I'm hoping to pace my dad out at the Antelope Island 50 miler... Well see how it feels then.

Paced my dad from The Ranch to the finish at the Buffalo Run 50 miler.  Huge congrats to him for sticking it out and finishing after dealing with some major issues early on!  I'm so proud of him and had such a great time spending some hours with him on the trail.

My ankle held up really well and my IT Band didn't give me any problems.  It's still tight, but I'm keeping a close eye on it and taking care of it.  I'm hoping to slowly start picking up the mileage this next week.  I'm gonna take a few days off then hopefully start running again on Tuesday, just to make sure I'm fully recovered.  I'll probably shoot for 30 - 35 miles this week and slowly start increasing from there.

I completely failed at getting out this last week.  I stayed late at work every day, then between moving into the new place and cleaning out the old, I had no time to myself.  So I made sure to get out today.  Did the Ghost Falls route on the BST since I only had about 2 hours. 

Everything felt ok til on the way back my IT band started acting up a little bit again.  I think this next week I'm going to run on the flats to make sure things don't flare up any more.  I really need to get back at it before I start going crazy... More crazy that is.