Races and goals

These past two weeks have really been great for me. I've totally gotten back into my running routine and have even gotten out for morning runs before my husband goes to work (these are needed as I am now home with both of my sons and I can't run while my four year old bikes beside me - we've tried!).

With the success I've been having any my husband's blessing, I bit the bullet this past week and signed up for the Road 2 Hope Half Marathon taking place in Hamilton on November 6, 2011.

The goal for this one is pretty simple:

Personal Best (sub 2:13:58)

I also signed up for the Energizer 5k Night Race on September 10, 2011. The goal here is fuzzy, but a sub 28 minutes is the current goal.

Of course, I will also look for a 10k PB at the zoo run on September 24th.

For this weekend at the Warrior Dash, I have no goals.

Finish.

Actually attempt the jump over the fire.

Not get hurt.

Drink a lot of beer (post race).

I'm having a great summer!

Discharge

Yesterday I was discharged from Physio! Yippee!

My knee is on the mend, but I need to ensure that I keep up the stretching and strengthening routines that I learned. My knee is still "tracking" slightly off, so I need to get back in to see the therapist at the first sign of something odd to ensure I don't end up with a very bad injury. He also suggested that I ice my knee after every run whenever possible.

I'm also back in the running game! According to Daily Mile I ran 32k last week (M-Su) for a total of 3h32m spent running over four workouts. I'm very pleased to see those numbers! I ran my LSD on Saturday morning as we were attending a party later in the day and sleeping over so I wouldn't have been able to get it in on Sunday AM. This strategy worked out well for me and I didn't feel one iota of guild as I loaded up on the 12 kinds of amazing salads on offer at the buffet (or the piece of chocolate Canada Day cake!).

I kept up the early morning routine this morning, heading out the door at 0715 to start my day with 5.7k around my neighbourhood. It took me about 2k to get my legs working and less stiff, but it was great to get back in the house knowing that I got the workout in (I have baseball tonight, plus both of my kids are home with me now that school is out and it is really hard to run with the jogging stroller and my four year old on his bike!).

I'm eager to put some speed work back on the plan, but I'm unsure if I could handle a tempo run so early in the AM. I guess I can test the theory tomorrow morning as I think my husband is off for a bike ride tomorrow evening, meaning I can't run once the kids are in bed (as he'll be gone).

This weekend is also the Warrior Dash, but that will be more about the post-race drinks having a great time, then racing. I'll write about that one later in the week.

Back at it

Nothing much more to report.

After getting the all clear at Physio on Thursday, I'm back on the running train. I ran 5k on Friday and 10k on Sunday. Both were meant to be easy paced runs.

The 5k was a 6:50 pace - perfect.

The 10k was a 6:35 pace - too fast (my Mpace is around 6:23).

The knee was fine after Friday and a bit touchy yesterday, but I iced it twice and its fine now.

I am supposed to run for about 10 minutes and then stop and do a series of dynamic stretches before continuing my run. I don't like it. It totally ruins my momentum and messes with my head. I think I'm going to have to do a bunch of jumping jacks at home, then the stretches and then run. I don't want to mess up my knee again/further, so I know I have to stick with the suggestions they gave me at Physio.

All in all, I'm happy to be back on the road. Hoping to hit 5 runs this week (with one already completed yesterday).