THOU SHALT BE A COMEBACK

6.4 very easy.  My ankle is still grumbling.  I have decided that the objective this week is recovery.  I will run 6 to 7 miles each day at an easy pace--no long runs and no even semi-fast running.  At the end of the week we will see how my ankle is and then I will decide whether or not to shelve the January 1/2 marathon or  not.  I refuse to run my first half-marathon injured!  I would like to get in a few 15 milers and some long tempo runs before the 1/2--but I can't do it if this ankle continues to complain. 

Anyway, my run was interesting today.  I decided that I wanted to stay on the soft dirt roads to lessen impact, knowing that I would encounter dogs.  I did encounter the usual dogs, but a new twist was added today--I was tagteamed by a dog and a GOAT.  That's right, a goat.  A dog I've been harassed by before came running at me and right behind him was his sidekick, a fat goat.  So anyways the dog would jump around and I would shoo it off and then the goat would come running at me with its head lowered like it was going to butt me or something.  So I would veer out of the goat's way and be dealing with the dog again.   I was actually almost laughing because it was so ridiculous.  I'm sure if anyone was watching it was a pretty ludicrous sight.  At least  I got to practice some fancy footwork drills....

Wow that was quite an experience.  A winter storm blew in last night.  Today is all blizzardy with heavy wind and snow blowing all over the place.  The temperature when I ran was sixteen degrees with the wind chill factor--I think it is colder now!  Anyways I drove into town and ran up and down a one-mile stretch of road 3 times.  Running north I would go straight into a headwind and the snow would sting my face and it was very difficult and unpleasant.  Fighting the headwind was exhausting.  Running south, the tailwind would carry me and I would marvel at how beautiful all the blowing snow was and all the whiteness.  I got to finish running south enjoying the sight!  Overall it was a good run.  I kept a nice easy pace and my ankle is much better today.  10 minute ice bath for feet and ankles afterward, stretching, and off to a hot shower and then to work.

8.4 miles easy in 1:16:00/9:03 pace. I know my plan was to only go 6 or 7 miles a day easy this week but after the 6.4 loop I felt so good and was enjoying the snowy ground so much I didn't want to stop, so I did two more miles up and down through town--I did keep the pace easy though! I did not push the pace and kept very comfortable the whole time. Ankle felt fantastic! It is not 100% but there is definite, noticeable improvement. I took out the orthotics and instead put in the little gel heel things and I was actually much more comfortable. No more orthotics. They give great support for my high arch but I think I am rolling off them too far on the outsides of my feet and they are making me underpronate even more severely than I already do naturally. Anyways the temperature was 29 degrees with no wind when I started, and had warmed a few degrees by the time I was done. The varying footing made the run interesting. I would go from packed snow to soft snow to slick flat ice to crunch bubbly ice, etc...It kept me occupied and was actually kind of fun! Did some gentle stretching and then a 10 minute ice bath for feet and ankles. Topped of the morning with a HUGE breakfast of cubed potatoes, an over-easy egg, and pancakes with peanut butter and syrup(I was conservative on the syrup but put the peanut butter on thick--I love peanut butter)

Ran the first 1.3 with Jesse then continued on for 5 more--all at an easy pace.  I was going really slow for about 4 miles before my legs even loosened up.  I felt good at the end and wanted to keep running but my ankle is doing good and I don't want to ruin it so I came on home for my foot-and-ankle ice bath and stretching.

7.5 in 1:03:02/8:24 pace.  I started out slow, and everything felt stiff.  About halfway through I was beginning to feel energized, so I took off into a comfortable but snappy pace for the rest of the run.  It felt good to run a little harder!  My ankle is doing great!

Got down to the church early and did 4.2 before Rachelle got there, then not quite a mile with Rachelle.  Her asthma was giving her a lot of trouble so we had to stop.  Went to my house afterward and drank coffee, and ate toast with grape jelly and scrambled eggs.  It was actually very nice.  I was thinking about doing a few more miles this afternoon but have now decided against it.  It is time to rest, reflect, and make some decisions.