Feelin' better...

After a slow start back into running and a quick examination by a physical therapist of my calves, i am feeling better after my break. I have started to take stretching more seriously (something i took for granted) and have slowed down my easy runs. I am usually a 'give it all you got' kind of runner, even on easy days and I have begun to change. My muscle soreness is becoming a deterrant to running and i don't want it to be, hence the change of mentality.

I ran about 20 miles last week along with a few hours on the indoor bike trainer as i prepare for the Desert Classic Duathlon at the end of February. I hope to work my way back up to 35-40 miles/week by the first week of Feb. I am not looking to run any PR's, although a good time would be appreciated and a Worlds Qualifying wouldn't be too shabby either.

I got back in the pool again today too after 5 weeks out and, although not as fast, I felt good and bad at the same time. I felt exactly where I should be. My endurance suffered, my muscles were a little tight. I hope to be back to full strength in the next few weeks in the water as well.

As far as i am concerned I am feeling good about where I am physically, albeit still a tad tight in the legs, and I should be ready for the Desert Classic when it rolls around.

Changes...

The first big change is it is now 2009! It has been 2009 for a few days and so far, not so special. But, who knows, i don't tend to judge the outcome of things by the beginning. If everyone judged things that way, Michael Phelps wouldn't have won 8 gold medals, The two wars we are in would be over and the snow would just keep coming down. Fortunately Michael Phelps did win 8 golds, and it has stopped snowing everyday.

Now, on to running. Big news: I am not running the marathon, nor the half marathon anymore. I really had to re-evaluate my goals for 2009. I originally signed up for the RNR Marathon in phoenix with the intent to leap frog into the AZ Ironman in November. Well, plans changed there too and I don't think thats the way i want to go just yet. I want to focus on the shorter distance triathlons and work my way up.

Physically i wasn't feeling it either. The recovery from the Tucson half took a lot more out of me than i expected and i wasn't feeling good on my long runs after that. I thought, "Man, if it takes me this long to recover from the half marathon, its going to take me twice as long to recover from the full!" And i can't take that much time off. I have a Duathlon at the end of February and it is a world championship qualifier. I don't have the intent to race at the World championship if i make it, but i want to give myself the best shot at qualifying. Secondly, i just felt like a I needed a break. I haven't run since christmas eve and i think this is good for my legs. Once school starts back up in a little less than a week. I will get back in the pool, back on the trainer and back out on the roads to train for the new exciting year ahead!