Ankle Improvement!

My ankle is certainly getting better.  I ran a 10k tonight after work as a 3/1 run (75% base/easy pace (8/mi) and the final 25% at tempo (7/mi)).

I'm participating in the Slowtwitch 100 Runs in 100 Days Challenge.  I don't plan on running 100 times in 100 days, I'm shooting for 70.  I'm not doing too well so far because I've only been running about 4 days a week.  We'll see what happens.

Regardless, with the new orthotics I got my stride and my ankle feel a lot better.  All I want to do is just run run run, but I know that I need to be careful and that I need take it easy while I ease back into training. 

Running with Chuck and Christmas

I don't know if you are aware, but running with a dog may be one of the best ideas ever.  Especially if you're running with Christmas Chuck

Christmas Chuck

This is the second day in a row that I've gone running with him.  Yesterday, we went 6.5 miles and today we did 4.25.  He was exhausted yesterday when we came back from out run.  He looked like he had found the bottle of NyQuil and went to town.  Falling asleep wherever his butt happened to drag to the ground.  Much in the same way as me last night.

New update on the run situation, I went to get some OTC orthotic inserts and they're amazing.  I have not felt any issues with my ankle in the past three runs that I have done (Wed, Fri, and Sat).  I am slowly gaining confidence in my running and my ankle...it's a long road to IMWI '11.

I am very thankful for everything this Holiday season.  This year has been long, tough, but exciting.  Two wonderful work experiences in Warsaw, IN yet spending the majority of the year on the phone with my girlfriend, Anna.  Nevertheless, I am happy I was able to come home spend time with my family and that I will be spending NYE with mi Annita.  

My favorite gift I received today was the Saris Bones bike rack.  It fits three bikes, so I will be able to transport all my bikes from Warsaw to East Lansing without having to take them apart and shove them in my car.

Tomorrow I get to spend the day with Anna's family.  There will be 25-30 people...anxious much!?!?!

Oh well, Merry Christmas everyone!

Just signed up for Triple T

Well...I just signed up for Triple T.  Its an awesome race weekend at the end of May.  I say race weekend because it is 4 races in 3 days.  A super short sprint on Friday evening, two extended distance olympic tris on Saturday, and a HIM on Sunday morning.  The total distance sums to Ironman distance and has been rumored to be more difficult than Ironman itself since all weekend your muscles are trying to recover, but instead you ignore your bodily warning signs and push on anyway.

My ankle has been slowly recovering and I've been running and biking quite a bit over the past few weeks.  I'm starting to feel fit again, which feels amazing.  I'll try to keep this updated more often with some training milestones and activities.

Merry Christmas!

Training time...

So far this week, my ankle has felt amazing.  I did some biking and lifting Monday and Wednesday and I ran 3.5 miles Tuesday and today (Thursday) with no pain.  Although my pace was slow, I felt like my stride was returning to normal as I was striking midfoot/forefoot the whole time.  I don't know if I'm cautious because it is still tender or if I'm just thinking about it too much.  Regardless, I think slow and steady recovery will be better for me in the long run.

Now that I have done a few weeks of weight lifting, I miss it quite a bit.  I think I'm going to continue to incorporate it into my weekly routine.  It will be a far stretch from my weightlifting routine from a few years ago when I was 25 pounds of muscle heavier, but will still be quite beneficial.

I will be returning to East Lansing this weekend to check out my apartment for next semester and hang out with a few amigos.  Hopefully we can hit up Lou&Harry's for the free food on Friday night and then maybe Harper's on  Saturday...although, Harper's won't be nearly as fun w/o a cute girlfriend to dance around with. :(

I'll be sure to take some pictures of the new apartment and show you where I'll be living for the next 5 months.

Peace out, bedtime.