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11:00 AM - Bitter cold out today; that kind of cold that when you breathe in it stings your nostrils. I went with Emmy to her work and I got in a good treadmill run. I was going to go for an increased pace run, but decided to keep it easy and relaxed. I am not sure why but my right achilles is tight and I had to ice it a couple times last night. Feels better, though still hurts a bit. Almost like a grinding as I walk around on it. Am going to have to take it easy this week. Still get the mileage in when I can, but no speed work. I think I have been pushing a little hard with speed in December rather than just easy miles.

Miles 1 - 3 : 8:20 pace held steady.

Miles 4 - 10 - 8:00 pace. Only bad part was when the gym's treadmill decided to make me cool down after 60 minutes, so I had to take a 10 second break and reset the treadmill to finish the run.

Total Time: 1:20:40 Total Distance: 10.25 Average pace: 7:52 / mile

Asics 2120s:  68.68 miles

7:45 AM - So I wanted to try to run despite the lingering soreness.  Woke up to 9 degree temp so bundled up with spandex and pants for bottoms, and two sport long sleeve shirts with a zipper up third layer.  Temperature ironically wasn't a problem, though perhaps it was because I was preoccupied with looking for any signs of weakness in the right achilles.  I wanted to go as slow as possible.  I think I have realized that either the pain was due to me trying to get in such a long run on a treadmill after not using one for over a month? Or that I did a few too many miles after having nearly a week off for winter break.  Am going to try to do about 6-6.5 for the rest of the week and do them at slow pace to see if that helps.  I don't want to have to not run, because I think I would go crazy!

Mile 1: 8:28

Mile 2: 8:47

Mile 3: 9:06

Mile 4: 9:02

Mile 5: 9:13

Mile 6: 9:07

Last .43: 3:48 (8:48 pace)

Total Time: 57:33  Total Mileage: 6.43 miles  Pace: 8:57/mile

*Asics 2120s:  75.11

10:00 PM - Did half an hour of hot treatment with a hot pack;  Just really want this to go away.  I just want to ruN! it's so frustrating. UGH!

7:45 AM - Right now I'm torn between taking Friday and Saturday off, or continuing to log a couple slow miles each day.  I had initially wanted to do the 6-6.5 miles that I did yesterday, but after only about a mile and a half I realized that my achilles is still not wanting me to.  It's not that it hurts so much that you can almost feel the grinding/straining of it.  I think it might be a smart decision to take Friday and Saturday off and go for a slow run on Sunday morning.  That would give me nearly 72 hours of staying off my feet as much as possible outside of work and school.  And if that is still not enough, then I really am out of ideas.  I am just frustrated that this happened.  My legs are aching to go for a run, but my achilles just won't have it.

Mile 1: 8:55

Mile 2: 9:11

Mile 3: 9:39

Mile 4: 8:54

Total Time: 36:41  Total Miles: 4  Average Pace: 9:10/ mile

*Asics 2120s:  79.11

Another thought I have is that perhaps I have increased the total amount of miles per run too fast?  What with the whole week off when I went on vacation, I have logged 98.22 miles this month but I only have 12 total days of running including today's measly 4 miles.  That would average out to 8.1+ miles / run.  Just a thought.  I am thinking that if I take off until Sunday, I will have to plan out a start from scratch plan, perhaps going back to running only 6 miles a day 6 days a week with no long runs.  Which stinks because I really do like my 10+ mile runs :(

After reading everyone's comments and suggestions, I think I need to continue to stretch and be careful about my leg.  I kind of want to take time off, but I just don't know.  Sunday's race is out of the question, but I think that by Sunday I would like to be back on the 6 miles a day for 6 days program.  I guess I can run tomorrow morning light again just 4 or 5 miles at 9+ mile pace... and then take Saturday off and start in on the recovery runs starting Sunday.

7:45 AM - Coldest morning of the year so far.  Weather.com had it listed as 6 degrees but with the wind that it felt like -4 below!  I bundled up with 2 sets of spandex and a winter running pants for the bottom, and then 3 thermal technical shirts.  It worked because my face was the only exposed skin after hat and gloves and that was the only skin exposed.  So I am on the fence because I feel like one of those horses that slightly fractures a foot and has to be put down because it wants to run, but just physically can't.  My legs are raring to go, but my ankle and right achilles just don't want me to go yet.    I have become religious about stretching in the mornings and evenings, and I stopped at mile 3 today to stretch because it started to hurt a bit.  I am as per suggestion doing the calf raises, though I can only manage 5-6 on just my right leg, and about 10-12 with both feet together.  I will take Saturday off and Sunday God willing get 6 miles in at 9 minute or slower pace.  I hate babying it like this, but I don't think I have much other choice if I want to continue running.

Mile 1: 8:38

Mile 2: 8:52

Mile 3: 9:11 (uphill)

Mile 4: 9:03

Mile 5: 8:33

Total Time: 44:32  Total Mileage: 5.02  Average Pace: 8:52/ mile

*Asics 2120s: 84.13