Training in Montana

Couldn't wake myself up with the alarm, then had a meeting pop up over the lunch hour. After dinner, family night, and ice cream, I hopped on the TM for 1-3 miles at 8:30 pm. The side ache started around 1/2 mile, so I would walk a bit then bump back up to 6.0, then drop down to 4.0 to walk. I realized that I did it wrong. Ice cream is for AFTER running. Oops. I was just glad to get my feet moving. When I hit 2 miles and the side ache wasn't gone I stopped.

After failing to rouse myself yesterday I was motivated to wake up at my running time. Woke up, took care of business, and out the door 30 minutes later. Why in the world does it take me 30 minutes? 15 minutes of "taking care of business" then 15 minutes to dress? I putz around way too much. Decided to do my 6 mile route anyhow, even though I'd be a bit late back to the house for our 7 am scripture reading around the breakfast table. It worked. 

34 degrees out with not much breeze. I had on a short sleeve tech shirt, long sleeve 3/4 zip thicker top and a jacket. Turns out it was too much, although at least I wasn't cold. When I got back the sleeves of the 3/4 zip were dark with sweat. Part hard effort, part too many clothes. Could've gotten by with a long sleeve tech shirt. 

Headed out and after my first mile settled into a nice pace. Pushed it to get back to the house at a decent time, and on the way back pushed it pretty well. Felt good. I left my compression socks at work and I could feel my right shin giving a bit of a niggle. Interesting. I believe in my compression socks. I'm sure they correct my poor form. Overall, liked the run. Longer than I've done on a morning run in a while, and I'm looking forward to getting back to these 6+ morning runs. I need them.

AP: 8:28 

I went to sleep early last night but woke up exhausted. Nearly stayed in bed as I could not get my brain working. Finally inched my way out and got ready for a treadmill run as I figured the roads would be too muddy. Turns out they froze overnight so I could've run outside, but no worries. Hopped on the treadmill for 3, and felt okay, so when I hit 3 I went one more mile.

My right outer medial calf muscle is in pain. According to an anatomy chart it might be my extensor digitorum longus. It's where I get shin splints, and I aggravated it yesterday pretty well. Yesterday morning I popped a bunch of Ibuprofen to get rid of the pain and last night I had to pop more to go to sleep as just lying down was a dull ache in that muscle. I took a few more before work and it feels okay, but I could definitely feel it walking to work. Too fast too soon. Oops.

3 quick miles outside today before making breakfast in bed for my 7 year old daughter. It's a family tradition.

The shin splint/outer calf muscle felt fine during the run. I felt it on the walk from my car to work (1/4 mile) and now I'm wearing my compression sleeve and it feels fine sitting down. I'll just take it easy for a while. 

My Saturday is full, so I got up early and did 10 miles this morning, in honor of Sherry Arnold, the runner in Montana who was abducted and killed last January while jogging. Tomorrow is the 2nd Annual Run for Sherry. You can print your bib here: http://www.races2remember.com/PrintBib.php?bib=sherry. 

I'm surprised at how good I felt during this run. I got to bed an hour + earlier than normal so that must have helped, but today's route was up my "Veyo" hill and it's brutal. And I did it in the dark with a headlamp. I tell you what, running a long and steady uphill with only a headlamp is a mental challenge. I've run this hill quite a bit so I know the parts where if I can just get to a certain point then I know I can make it all the way. This morning I couldn't see those markers, so I just had to keep plugging along. It's a climb from 2.25 miles all the way to 4.25 miles, and in the middle is a and steep section. I love it as a challenge and as a hill that helps me in a race, and I know it helps in major ways.

Anyhow, enjoyed the run thoroughly and hope I don't crash during my day job. :)

AP: 8:41 

Very full day today, but did manage to wake up early enough for 1.5 miles on the TM before heading to the church to teach Scouts about how to be a citizen in our fair world. Our stake puts on a merit badge day every year and opens it to boys of all faiths from all over the Billings area, and we had about 300 or so Scouts there to earn a couple merit badges (even some from an hour away). Great day, and turned out to be some fun discussions. Amazing how smart and knowledgeable some teenagers are.

Calves are a bit sore from yesterday's run. Love it.