The Foot, The Frees

As much as I've chastised the Frees in the past, they seem to be helping me through whatever strange injury this is. I started running on the cinder track in the Frees for a soft surface. I made a run in the frees on the concrete and was successful. Then I went out in the Lunars on the track, followed by a run on grass, concrete, and asphalt. I've been icing the foot on and off as well. I seem to be making some progress. Thus far, I've only been able to get up to around 5 miles, but I'm slowly increasing the distance.

Tonight I'm going to try a mixed run of the cinder track and road running in the lunars to see how the foot responds.

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I'm starting to plan out my '09 racing schedule, which once I get a better grip on, I will share.

The dreaded treadmill

I hate the treadmill, but after reading on the internet that running on a treadmill in the Nike Frees seems to help people with plantar faciitis, I decided to give it a go. I'm pretty certain I don't have PF, but figured it could hurt me to try it.

I ran for 20 minutes increasing the speed each minute ending at somewhere around 6:45 pace. Then I stretched really good and jumped back on the treadmill. Another 20 minutes with increasing speed. I finished that one at around 6:30 pace. Stretched once again and went for a final 20 minutes. I ended the final 20 at a 6:03 pace. I felt pretty good and my foot didn't really hurt at all. I felt it a little bit afterwards, but not nearly as much as I have in the past. I'm taking today off and then I'm going to go for an easy Christmas Day run. I'm going to try to run in the Frees outside and see how it feels. If I can get in a few pain-free runs in the Frees then I will try and go back to a regular trainer and see what happens.

Breakthrough

After work, I sludged through the snow to the gym and worked back and biceps until it was time to hit the pool.

I swam for 30 minutes as usual, but I had a breakthrough today. I don't know what I changed, but I was actually able to slow down my freestyle swim stroke enough that I wasn't gasping for air after a length. Every attempt prior resulted in me sinking when I slowed down. Now I just need to continue swimming and build up some endurance, clean up my stroke, and then try to add the speed back in. I'm hopefully hitting the pool again tomorrow.

Once I got home, I went out for a 50 minute run through the snow. It was very peaceful when I got to McCarren Park, as there was no one else out there. I ran a mile on the track just b/c I could run through fresh snow and I was the only one running. On the way back, my foot started hurting again. This time it was my left foot. My right felt completely fine. Now that I'm home, my left feels fine and my right is giving me issues. This is really frustrating.

Targets on our backs

we've been called out by the RD of the Texas Independence Relay.

My team this year will be faster than last year's. I think we win the entire thing rather handily. They have no idea what we have in store for march. Our team average pace should be in the low 6 min/mile.

Favorable Friday

I was pretty productive today.

I hit the gym and did chest and shoulders followed by a 30 minute swim and then 20 minutes on the stationary bike.

My foot is feeling much better, but I still don't want to risk it, so I will probably wait till sunday to get back out and try to run on it. Easing back in slowly is my best bet.

No Pain

I decided to give running another try tonight. I pulled out a pair of trail shoes to provide a little more "support" to see what happens. I stayed away from hills and ran at a pretty easy pace. I also stretched pre- and post-run. I made it through a little over 3 miles pain-free. However, monday night's run was pain-free as well, it just hurt really bad all day tuesday. I guess I'll find out in the morning.

Getting back in the groove...hopefully

I ran a couple times last week, but I still felt lazy because I haven't been consistent with my workouts.

Tonight I hit the gym and did a quick lifting session before going to the pool and swimming for 30 minutes. Afterwards I came home and went out for a 4.5 mile run. Hopefully this is getting me back on track. My body feels recovered after once again putting it through hell this fall.

Next Attempt at Boston

May 17, 2009.

I hit a HUGE PR at the Poconos course last year, so I'm going to head back and try again. They finally set the date for the 2009 race, and I'm giving it another go. I feel very confident I can throw down a sub-3:10 on this course.