Sunday, July 31, 2016

Begin Gradually...

I really intend to do blog posts more regularly than once a week. I really do. But this year has been crazy and the past several weeks months have been particularly hectic and busy. Some of the "busyness" have been welcomed distractions and so while it has kept me away from blogging it was the kind of distraction that I needed (and still need). The rest of the stuff has just been your typical work stuff.

But thankfully none of that has kept me from running. And more importantly none of that has kept me from completing my long runs. The ability to complete the long run mileage is not something that I take for granted. Like Henry (below) it's taken me a while to get to the point where I can complete a long run and still be able to walk after...
This morning my homegrown training plan had 16 miles scheduled. I was able to do the first 7 miles with a few of my running friends who, like me, think it's perfectly logical to run at 4 o'clock in the morning...


A flare up of old and new injuries and pain prevented the others from completing anything beyond 7 miles though. And since the goal is to have fun and be safe, running while injured and in pain is not allowed. At the 7 mile mark I was still ok to continue so I did the remaining 9 miles by myself...

So my 16 mile long run is done...

And the route wasn't too bad...

I even got a teeny tiny bit of elevation work in (via the highway overpasses)...

I'm really glad I was able to complete the run but my blisters were really bad after...
Once I took off my running socks and saw how bad they were this was my plan...
But I wanted to check out a new church that Kai (the teenager) wants to start going to. So after a quick shower and change into appropriate clothing I headed to a pretty incredible church service (I can see why she wants to start going there). 

The countdown to the NY marathon continues...

I don't feel 100% ready but each time I cross a long run milestone off my list I start to feel better about it. I'm confident that I can finish it, I just want to be more confident about finishing it sub-5:30:00 (which is my "flexible" time goal). While I gradually progress towards that level of confidence I'm also focusing on the other races on my calendar before my November marathon; namely the Chicago 1/2 marathon (September) and the ZOOMA Annapolis 1/2 marathon (October). It's not too late to register for ZOOMA by-the-way, and you can still get 10% off by using my discount code...
(you can check out the race website here)

How is your training going? 

What's the first race you plan on running once the Fall race season starts?

Do you have any recommendations for blister prevention? (I've tried so many things and nothing has worked for long. Any recommendations would be appreciated)

Have a great Sunday!!!

2 comments:

  1. Man, blisters are the worst! Have you tried changing your socks? Maybe you need different running shoes? I'm registered for Marine Corps but, with a knee injury, I'm not sure I'm going to make it. :( I'd take a blister over this injury any day of the week!

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    1. Oh man! I hope your knee gets better soon! I've had knee injuries in the past so I agree...blisters are better cause they definitely heal faster. I really hope you are still able to run the MCM though.

      I've changed socks and tried double socks and changed shoes. My next trick is to go up 1/2 a shoe size and do double socks, plus blister bandaids and toe gel caps. (wish me luck!)

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