Back At It

Since this is my first entry, I'll give a quick summary of recent events in my running life:

On September 10th, I finished the Wasatch 100 Mile Endurance Run.  I was on pace for a very good finish, but hurt my knee around mile 50 and continually slowed more and more as I progressed.  I ended up finishing in 28:59:02.  If you're interested, you can read my full report at http://ohtheaftermath.blogspot.com.

After Wasatch 1 wasn't able to run for basically 3 weeks.  Been trying to build up to longer runs again and put in 16 flat miles on 10/9.  All this leads me to the 16th where I was able to get out and do 14 miles or so in the mountains (where I truly love to run). 

I got up and did one of the loops I love in the East Canyon area. The loop goes Affleck Park - Big Mountain Pass - Swallow Rocks - Killyon Canyon - Affleck Park.  I was quite slow since my mountain fitness is not up to par and my knee is still only about 90%, but ended up finishing in 2:40:33.  Felt great getting up in the mountains again!

Went to one of my go-to weekly routes at the Jordan River Parkway.  Legs were still tired from Saturday but had good energy throughout.

Opened it up a little bit today.  Legs are still feeling sore though.

Went down to Vegas and participated in the Vegas Ragnar Relay.  Had one of the tougher legs on our team, but I ran well.  Was on fire the first leg, soreness I've been experiencing in my lower legs came back on leg 2, and the final leg played to my strengths and I felt pretty good.  Full story on my personal blog: http://ohtheaftermath.blogspot.com/2010/10/ragnar-relay-las-vegas-2010.html.

Went to my trusty out-and-back at the Jordan River Parkway.  Legs felt ok, effort was pretty easy and I feel basically recovered from my run over the weekend.

Tried to do a speed day but the lower legs were just not having it.  Not really sure what's going on but it's starting to get frustrating.

Only ran for 20 minutes as my lower legs were aching severely.  I've been stretching out after runs, rotating between shoes, and haven't added anything new to my gym routines.  Diet hasn't changed really at all.  I'm stumped here.  Maybe it has to do with the fact that I'm running almost entirely on roads again and my legs aren't used to the pounding?  I'll take tomorrow off and see if I can't get a trail run in on Friday or Saturday.

Legs are still quite sore but pushed through a 10 miler.  Feeling good now that I'm done, but man was that painful.

Legs are feeling like they're finally on the mend.  Felt good and relaxed for the most part, with only a little bit of pain today.  Possibly be able to get in a little speedwork again tomorrow?

Went to one of my go-to routes at the Parkway.  Felt good throughout, even though my fitness is not quite where I'd hoped.  Probably has something to do with all the low mileage weeks I've been having recently.   Hoping to get around 50 miles this week for the first time since Wasatch.  Guess that's what happens when you deal with injury... Just gotta be patient and let things build back up again.  I'm impatient though!

Went for an easy 5 today since I've got a big day tomorrow, then a big weekend.

The plan was to get out and do 10 - 12 miles or so but my run got cut short.  I got to about the 3.5 mile mark when some dark insect (pretty sure it was a bee) flew directly at my right eye, landed on my face, then stung me about half an inch below my eye.  Not knowing what it was or how my body would react I turned it around and got back home in a hurry!

Perfect day for running!  The plan was to do about 16 or so, but I was feeling good and the weather was so nice I decided to extend it just a little bit.  I don't feel quite as bad for missing my run yesterday now.

Met up with my buddy Scott to get one last run in up in the mountains.  My wife wasn't feeling good but insisted I not miss my run that I'd been planning all week.  I got up there and felt really guilty about leaving her so I called before I started to make sure she was ok.  She gave me the go-ahead. 

After about the 4 mile mark I called again and this time I knew I needed to turn back.  So my 3+ hour turned into about 90 minutes, but I was ok with that.  She comes first!  Legs were pretty sore after yesterday's effort, but otherwise I felt great.

Had the day off so I decided to get a nice late morning run in.  Was beautiful weather and I was able to keep a good, consistent pace the entire run.