On the run again

First run after recovering from my ankle sprain. Ran one loop of my usual route. Started out slowly and really focused on taking it easy on my body, trying to run smoothly, and avoiding any compensation. A little pain at times, but only when I wasn't focused on my stride, so that reminded me to pay attention, which was good. So great to be running again! What a beautiful morning in Encinitas, and Cardiff. Roxy Jam was going on, weather and air were perfect, and I was so glad to be back training again. I did splits on my watch, but since it was my first day back, I didn't get too depressed when I saw the times. Mostly I just was trying to gauge how long it would take me to get back to pushing it. Of that I'm not certain, but for now, pure joy to be back. The only downside came while sprinting back across 101 at Cardiff campgrounds to make the light, and avoid stopping. I twanged my foot a little - jumping / sprinting should not have been in my repertoire. I feel that a little right now, but nothing big.

6.55 mi, 56 min 22 sec
8 min 36 sec / mi

Also, I finally got a decent test of my new shoes. I was trying them out the day I got injured, but since it was only two miles before I got hurt, I wasn't certain how the shoes were. Well today after 6.5 miles, I can say they felt great. Big thanks to the guys at the San Diego Running Institute for helping select them. If you haven't been there for running shoes, you should. They measure your foot in the usual way, plus other ways that no other store has done for me: arch height, take pressure images of your foot strike, etc. After this, they select shoes that are targeted to your foot type. It seems to have worked for me, because these new shoes, Asics GT 2720s feel much better than my fairly new Nike Air Pegasus.

Finally on the mend

Got off the crutches on Tuesday of last week. Hobbled around for 3 days trying to heel strike, and push off on the ball of my lame foot. By Friday, I was still limping, but could get around OK which was good, because my son and I had a campout scheduled at Indian Hills. At the last minute, as I was loading Max's bike onto the truck, I decided to load my mountain bike and just see how it would go.

Indian Hills has tons of great stuff for Max and the boys of his tribe. Archery, ziplines, paintball range, a huge playset with towers to climb, rope ladders, slides, and a huge rope swing, two pools (one had two slides), animals,



and lastly, Max's and my favorite...

the BMX Bike Track.

This thing rocked. The boys had such a great time on that track, and I did too - was like a kid again.

I started off super-slowly and carefully, trying to avoid re-injuring my still swollen, and painful left ankle. Saturday I ramped it up more and more, until I was charging it. Sunday was just excellent - completely in my groove, and having a great time watching Max and the other kids get the track dialed in.

I don't think I'm ready to run yet, but at least I know I can bike - yeeeehaaah!

Note to self: Don't run in the dark!

Started out on my usual half-marathon run this morning at 4:30AM, my usual time in order finish, shower, and make it to work.

Right at the Cardiff campgrounds, where it's dark as night, no lights, and on the blacktop, I stepped on the invisible torn up root of a bush right in the middle of the running/walking path, and proceeded to crumple with a marvelous twist of my left ankle, and then landed on my right knee.

Sat and cursed a lot thinking about all the training I just lost with that foolish choice to run without a headlamp. I'm sure the poor beach campers were none too happy about being awoken to a stream of expletives.

Had to take off the shoe, and hobble/limp the 2 miles back home. Took forever, and it was pretty painful, but mostly just depressing. I didn't have a cell phone with me but it really didn't matter since Nadine would have had to roust the kids into the car at o-dark-thirty just to get me.

Anyway, I'm super-bummed. Not sure if I'll be able to do the Gatorman 3 Mile swim event this weekend, and the Orange County International triathlon is very questionable.

I just can't believe how much fitness I'm losing by this injury, and how much it will take to get back to where I was this morning.

After the docs office, I saw a friend who had been to see my kid's doctor. The kids doc had fallen running as well, and had broken both arms. I guess I should count my blessings.

The culprit (above) .... AND the aftermath