Training in Montana

5 miles at 11 am in 75 degree temps. Plenty hot, and a good part of my heat strategy. My legs felt pretty tight after Saturday's 20 but they loosened up after a mile, then I found some speed. I wasn't planning on running marathon pace but I did and faster than MP the last 2. It felt good. I think I need more faster paces like this more frequently. 

AP: 7:56. Splits 8:36, 8:01, 8:00, 7:44, 7:18. 

Too tired to wake up at 6 am so I went at lunch time. Over 80 degrees during the run and it was pretty warm. I felt good once again and decided to push it for the mid miles, then slowed down with 1.5 to go. Ended doing a backwards jog around the lap to simulate the marathon finish in a month. Looking forward to it.

AP: 8:15 

Again, too tired to wake up early. Looking forward to school starting so we'll all be on normal schedules. A cold front came in last night so we actually had rain today, amazing, and it was mid 50s for my run at 12:15 pm. Awesome. Half way through I ran shirtless as I was still too warm, owing to the 84% humidity, and that I didn't have a head band with me. I hate the feeling of sweat on my brow, so I needed my shirt to wipe my sweat. I ran faster again than planned, so it's time to start running on my roads at home once again as it's hard to go fast up hill. This morning my right exterior shin was sore, so shin splints, and my right foot underneath my toes was sore. I think they're related as I have a bad natural gait on my right foot due to spraining my ankle as a teenager and when I run faster I forget to straighten my foot when I strike. It wasn't bad but I'm looking forward to a day off. My AP is slower than reality as my GPS hadn't come on line yet when I started running, but my patience was low.

AP: 8:30 

6 miles this morning. Man, I'm having a hard time waking up lately. I know it's because I've been going to bed late, but sheesh! Cannot convince myself to wake with the alarm. Finally got up and got out the door to 55 degree temps which was lovely. My hands were cold with a slight breeze blowing and I loved it. Running in town the past week has really helped my speed as my hilly country roads are not built for speed. Heading up to the turnaround I was moving at a decent clip but nothing special. On the way back I stayed below an 8 minute mile pace.

I don't know what I did a few days ago but I'm definitely feeling something under my right toes. I'll soak the foot tonight in ice water and hope that helps. It's got to be some sort of ligament or other soft tissue. I didn't hit anything or step weird so that concerns me. Hopefully icing will get rid of the problem. Hmph. I think running too fast this week did that. Oops.

AP: 8:22 

Incredible start to the day, very disappointing ending. My wife and I heeded a personal phone call from our Stake President to attend Stake Temple Day (he called everyone - amazing) so we got up early and headed to a 7 am session. It was full, and very fulfilling to be part of that. A month ago we were the only couple at a Friday evening session. Got home, got the kids up, loaded the boat (new to us) and headed down to Wyoming to Bighorn Dam for our first family boating excursion. Had a great time. Yes, there were plenty of moments where I became very anxious and may have become excited and raised my voice, but hopefully as my family learns about the dangers of boating I'll chill out. The dam is high cliffs through canyons so very similar to Lake Powell's channels. Not too fun for waterskiing or other activities so we'll find another spot. We had a fun time and the boat worked the whole time, although it did cut out a few times so we'll take it in. Got home by 7:30.

Headed out for a 12 mile run at 8:30, prepped with blinking lights and new batteries in my headlamp. Just past 2 miles out my right foot started hurting with every step, like a ball was underneath my 2nd & 3rd metatarsal (?). I had just hit a gravel road for the next 6 miles and my first thought was to power through. After 10 more steps of hurt with each step I stopped and thought it through. This was a 12 mile run. Next Saturday is my last 20 miler, with a 48 mile week. Was it worth risking those runs and possibly the marathon to get through my long run? No. I turned around and started walking back, hurting some with each right foot step. It wasn't double-me-over pain, but more than a twinge. After a bit of walking I decided to run home as it would take too long. After a bit it stopped hurting with each step, but I could still feel it. Got home and soaked in an ice bucket for 15 minutes. The next morning it feels better. I'll head out for my run tomorrow morning and if it hurts I'll turn around.

What's up with this? On last week's 20 miler I was thinking how during this training cycle I haven't had any injuries, and how I must be doing something right. Then I ran in town this week and ran faster than normal. I don't know if that did it or it's my new shoes or if it's the way Venus aligns with Mars but I hope it's nothing big. I'll soak it a couple more times today and we'll see. Hmph.