Training Log 4/29 - 5/5

In short, it's all good news on the training front. The calves are getting better day by day. I had my "last" appointment with Dr. Jamie on Wednesday, and he gave me the green light to get after it. It was good to talk running and racing rather than adhesion and inflammation. I've come out on the other side a total convert. I was a bit skeptical when I first started treatment, but he really rebuilt me. I'm very thankful. On top of that, with my gait change, I'm beginning to feel as if this injury was actually a positive event. I'm going to be stronger (and, hopefully faster) going forward. Like I said, it's all good news.

Onto the numbers...

4/29, Sunday: 5 - 38:45, Weldon Farm Road. After my 10k "race" on Saturday, I was anxious to see how I would feel. Happy to report that I felt great. A little tight in the calves, but other than that, no ill effects from the day before. I even had a little snap in my step and opened it up a touch in the final mile. Good stuff.

4/30, Monday: Off

5/1, Tuesday: 10.25 - 1:22:06, Simpson's Point via Brunswick Town Commons. I wanted to up the distance, but didn't want anything too hilly. This route, which is a 50/50 mix of road and trails, in addition to being a classic from Bowdoin College (or pieces of it, anyway), fit the bill perfectly. Looking back at my training logs, I last did this route in September '11 in around 1:20ish with a notation that I was looking for something "slightly up tempo." With that in mind, I was pleased to average 8:00's pretty comfortably throughout. Although, I was pretty uncomfortable at times as it was raining and very windy. Not the best day to be out on the roads, but the view oceanside at Simpson's Point is always worth it. Drew a lot of confidence from this run.

5/2, Wednesday: 5 - 39:00, Highland Green. Little sluggish, but that wasn't a surprise.

5/3, Thursday: Off

5/4, Friday: 5 - 36:58, Highland Green. Unintentional progression run. Chased a dump truck on the dirt road and just decided I wasn't going to let him go. Once I turned back onto the powerlines to head home, I was feeling good, so I decided to see what was there. Last three miles were 7:21, 7:01 and 6:38. Nothing blazing, but certainly good to open it up. Calves felt great, and it was interesting to focus on the new gait at faster speeds. Definitely a lot of work to do.

5/5, Saturday: 11.25 - 1:37:27, Around the Mountain Loop, Acadia National Park. Headed to MDI on Friday evening for a weekend of camping, running and shenanigans to celebrate Jamie and Kate's pending nuptials. After an evening at Geddy's and more festivities around the lantern light at the campground, things were a bit foggy both in the weather and in my head, when we started out from Jordan Pond House. I love this loop, but I was a bit nervous that I was biting off more than I could chew. It would be my longest run since returning from injury—my previous being on Tuesday—and it's hilly. Really hilly. After rolling for three miles, you do basically nothing but climb for the next 4 miles...then you have to come back down. Plus, I'm a competitive idiot, so I decided to sprint at each of the signposts. I was toast by about 6 miles. The last mile to the top, I just tried to keep Jamie from dropping me too badly. On the way down, he flew away, and I ran with Randy hoping he could pick me up if I fell over. We regrouped with a couple miles to go, and Mindy kept telling me I was doing great, even though I may have whined otherwise a number of times. Overall, I held up OK. No pain or bodily issues, which is key, but I'm clearly out of shape. But, I'll take it. Great run with friends. I was really glad to call it at 11.25, as Jamie and Zak tacked on 4 more miles at a rapid pace. Heh heh.

Snowman and Squirrel in the mist.

Slide...slide...slippedy...slide...

(Photos stolen from Jamie.)

Totals: 36.5
Trail: 16.25
Road: 20.25

Possibly an aggressive jump up this week, so I'm going to be cautious this week. The goal right now is just to build a solid base. I feel like injecting a bit of speed and upping the difficulty is going to pay dividends moving forward. Very happy to be over the injury hump and moving forward pain free. Look out...