Pluggin' along!

Being given another day is something I think I overlook! I am here to tell you today is absolutely marvelous (darling)! How blessed I am!!! Even under strain, pressure, in the face of difficulty and adversity, I can gain great solace that I am alive and well today!!!
I headed out on W south with intentions for an easy 6 miler; just to keep trying to break through this weeks funk. I, for some reason, felt very good?! Isn't is crazy how some days are like this? So I just relaxed, slowed down, and cruised. I have high hopes for a race and I want to try to save some juice.
Now I'm icing the heel as it stiffened up on me yesterday. Off to another wedding in 30 minutes!!! It's been busy! I'm excited for all the folks getting ready to put all their hard training on the line this weekend. The great success is you made it to the start line, now you are ready to run!! I'm counting the days 'till my race, 38!
Totals-6.4 miles/ 1:07:34/ 10:33's. Pretty doggone good for W south! I was actually wanting to "take" the hills! Go figure! Make the most of the day!!!! Peace!

Recovery

Just an EZ recovery type run today. I'm not so tired as usual on Mondays. The temps warmed up today into the low eighties. Man it felt good! I enjoyed the sweat. I wonder if anyone else is dealing with perpetual soreness or it's just because of the age factor, but this marathon training is leaving me with constant soreness in the quads and lower abs. Not to mention the Achilles tendon issue. I remember years ago dealing with the same Achilles but it took much less time to heal. This is now going into month three!
My plan this week is to add a day and lessen the longest run distance. All depending on the injury. I really hope I can run a 10K this Saturday. 4.11 miles today. This weeks goal would be as many miles as possible!! Peace!

Back Track-

Going backwards with the heel. Yesterday I spent around three hours hauling rocks and working on the property. I guess the boots I was wearing aggravated the heel because it was stiff and sore last night. You can't work outside w/o boots out here! We are in Copperhead country!
Anyway, I doctored it with icing and rest and Aleve. Felt okay this morning but hills were not in the cards so I packed it off to the track. As usual a busy place. I finally got to meet one of the regulars I've noticed. Her name is Brenda. She asked me if I was a marathoner! I thought that was cool! I guess I look like one?!
My goal was to warm-up then test the waters...if the heel felt good then 6X400's if it wasn't ready I would just go easy.
It felt good after the 1.5 mile warm-up! So I launched into the workout:
6X400 @ 3K pace with a three min active recovery ( I jogged).
On the first one I noticed how my quads were very heavy. I really began doubting I could complete the prescribed workout. But I did...here are the splits-1:42, 1:49, 1:46, 1:47, 1:52, 1:50.
Not too bad considering the long run and the heel. Totals: 5.11/ 47:09/ 9:13's.
So ice, Aleve, and an easy recovery run tomorrow ought to get me ready for Fridays effort.
I think dealing with problems like this heel are just par for the course. They say making it to the start line of a marathon is a great accomplishment in itself. I have the tendency to push things and I must remember I am not a young man anymore!! That's hard! Peace!

Back to "Hill(heel)ville"

"W" south is a beautiful run! I am going to try to get some pics today. But it is also nothing but hills and I believe partly responsible for my achilles overuse injury.. I decided to try it today. I went for a brisk walk with Sandy, then with a kiss good-bye off I went with wonder. I felt so much stronger than yesterday?! I have to believe the running form improvements are giving me more speed and strength, plus recovery runs are good. Today I practiced driving the thigh. Anyway, the heel felt great! I'm encouraged! Funny thing, I told Sandy since I've been taking the "Aleve" all my other aches and pains have disappeared, too!
6.29 miles with all five after the warm-up sub 10's with a 9:16 best. This is on the hill run! I really only need two more runs, or 12.5 more miles this week. I was thinking I needed a recovery week but I may do that next week or not at all. Still depends on Mr. Heel.
Today we take a mini-trip to some antique shops, and eat at a quaint little Tea Room on an old time Ozarkian square. Sandy likes to go to these places, I on the other hand go for her joy. She gives up a lot for my running and I appreciate that. We'll probably buy something, too! Have a great run! Peace!

Flat Track-

Because of current heel issues I had to go to the track in order to find flat land. A nice day, around 80 degrees and humid. I was wanting 10 miles at marathon pace. I'm in a recovery week so I'll lessen distance but not difficulty. I guess the hills are paying off because I couldn't contain myself and found the pace way too fast. Finally at 7 miles I was done. I had changed the work out to a fast continuous run since I was going faster than MP. Splits-9:39 warm-up-8:29, 8:21, 8:19,8:25, 8:50, 9:35. I think I made the smart decision by not pushing it to ten. Now I still need to get a medium endurance run of at least 10 miles and it will likely be on hills.
The heel is feeling better I think age is a factor but so are eternal hills. The track was a busy place. Young lady doing mile intervals, older lady walking, three teens practicing football. I am thinking I may make one more trip there this week. Oh, I'm on vacation!!!! Yes!!

Family

A beautiful day in the Ozarks. Unbelievable weather for July!! Not even 80 degrees! I still have tightness and soreness in the Achilles heel area but it loosens up as the day goes along. I went out hoping for the five flattest miles I could find. Wound up with 5.54 miles with some doubling back over my flat sections. I felt so strong! I am excited about the current reality; my training seems to be taking a positive cumulative effect. Now, for the recovery week, then, heel willing, I will build up to higher mileage!

Had a great visit with my older (17mths) Brother and his family today. They are from the Austin Texas area. I'm pretty sure I will run the marathon there next year. They are all looking and doing good and the kids have grown into extraordinary young adults! Hooray for the Zimmerman family!!

We may be able to hang out one more time before they head back home. Hope all is well in your neck of the woods! Peace!