Lulu's Challenge... rise from the ashes

Yes, you read that correctly 4. Four does not equal 15. This 15 mile run is not going to happen. I figure I spent yesterday limping slightly because of my toe, and I spent some time at a going away party at a home where people are requested not to wear shoes. My arch was cramping this morning before I started. I stretch it out and headed out the door with fresh nutrition in my Camelbak (see Saturday's post). I decided to re-evaluate the arch issue at mile 6 and maybe turn around there and run home. Then, maybe run three more right near my house as insurance. Mile one was great. Mile two and my arch started cramping again. That is the only way I can describe it. It would contract, and the pain would be excruciating. Then it would release and be ok -- but only when I was not running. I turned around and went home. By the time I got home, the cramping feeling was creeping up my ankle into my shin and calf. The pain was on the bottom of  my foot under the highest point of my arch. Anyone know what this is? (I know what plantar faciaitis is and it is not that). I iced my foot after my shower. I also have a massage ball from Trigger Point Technologies that I used to massage my foot. It feels fine now.

Redeeming points about all this mess: (1) I actually ran 15.4 miles two weeks ago when I thought I ran 14, so the mileage has been there and an increase in mileage won't be too drastic for my mind or body, (2) I will be well rested this week for the upcoming 17 miler, and (3) I've been through this before and know that missing one long run does not ruin a marathon. I simply cannot miss many more. Jeff surely has posted more miles than I have this week.

This week I travel for work so the mileage and the posts might be intermittent. Hopefully, Bubbles doesn't miss me too much and that I don't miss her too much. I plan to run the 17 miler on my trip as it will be in a much cooler climate. That will let me know what my body can do when it is cooler -- hopefully run faster!

Ran with Bubbles in the Chariot. It was great! I feel great.

Rest day.

Today's workout was 9 miles with 7 Yassos. Today's theme was run until you (almost) puke. By the 5th Yasso really  I thought I was going to lose it. But then, 6 and 7 were good and strong.

Jeff tried a new tactic today, he tried to distract me and keep me from finishing the last three miles of the workout. Nice try, but it didn't work. He's doing really well with the challenge. He's feeling fitter and able to ramp up his workouts. I am really proud of him. But I am also scared. He's really starting to put in the miles, and I have struggled the last couple of weeks.

I have a great sense of accomplishment for today's work. The Yassos are coming along nicely. In the beginning when 1 or 2 were hard, I couldn't imagine 7 or 10. In a couple of weeks, I'll be able to do 10 and predict my pace for Chicago. I started from pregnancy, and it is interesting watching the body get whipped back into shape.

The next few weeks are hugely important in the training for Chicago. It is important to train smart and stay tough, but not overtrain. I have to be patient and focus on the goal. Gradually, I will be come very fit again. The question is will it be in time for Chicago? If not, there are other races to attend in the future. That's the fun of it!

Pace run. Felt good. Long run tomorrow.

Ran 17. I ran strong even the last few miles. Mentally, it was a very tough run. I got started later than I wanted to but still in the cool of the morning (80 when I started and 89 when I finished with a heat index of 98). I was very thirsty from mile 6 forward. Thank God for the golf course I run around in miles 6.5-9.5. They have water set out for the golfers in coolers. I could have emptied one of those coolers (but didn't). I also had to stop by the fridge behind our local running store for more cold water. I drank 1.5 liters of water from my Camelbak with Sustained Energy in it (Hammer Nutrition), but it wasn't nearly enough. My shorts were soaked and dripping by mile two. My shoes were soaked and the water was spashing out the toes (and no I didn't run through any puddles or sprinklers) as I ran the last few miles. After drinking all that and a huge glass of ice water when I got home I was still down more than 2 pounds when I checked.

At mile 13, I saw a friend of mine, Swifty. She and I talked about how dehydrated I was. I told her next time I talked about doing a fall marathon to smack me in the head! It is simply too hot and too humid for me to put in this mileage. I don't know what I am going to do next week. I've got 18 on the schedule for my long run.

Rest