Winning Back What I Lost

AM:  Hill workout on the TM; 1M intervals of inclines up to 6.5.  I felt pretty strong but my left heel was really bothering me.  It got better as the run continued, leading me to believe that my ankle problem has morphed into a plantar fasciitis problem.  From the web-based research I've done it seems to be rather common that the symptoms of PF are most acute in the morning and alleviate as the fascii stretches out.  It's a little painful at the outset but bearable. From everything I've read though it seems that the only way to get rid of PF involves either surgery or prolonged rest. I've done some little things like wrapping it at night, icing it and stretching it but I guess its just something I'll have to deal with.  Now that most of my footwear is of the minimalist variety w/ comparatively little cushioning, I've attempted to transition to more of a forefoot strike in order to avoid putting too much stress/impact on the heels. I'm hoping that change in form will make it at least more manageable.

PM: Watched the NCAA NC game and had to go out for a run to so as to rid myself of the horrible memory of Butler's remarkable ineptitude.  What a stinker! It may have put mens collegiate basketball back on par with the ladies.  Easy 5M progressive run topping out @ 8:05/mi for the last 2M.  

Medium-long run. This one was tough. I didn't get out the door until late, legs were heavy, and I just wasn't into it.  Kept up a decent pace anyway, which I suppose is a good sign.  Slept in a protective boot last night to see if I could alleviate some of the PF I've been experiencing.  It did feel better this morning.  I'll keep using it this week and see if I can't substantially reverse the symptoms. 

PM: Easy recovery run on the TM. Woke up late last night because I had fastened the straps to my boot/splint too tight and it cut of my circulation. Got so frustrated that I just ripped it off and went back to bed.  Consequently, I'm right back where I started w/ the PF. Hopefully, tonight will go better but I'm not optimistic. 

PM: Medium-long run.  Strong progressive run topping out at 5 secs faster than current MP for the last 2M. PF is still bothering me. I think the boot is gonna get the boot.  The only thing it is accomplishing is making me sleep uncomfortably. 

PM:  Interval session on TM: 6 x 300 meters @ just a little slower than 10k race pace (7:14/mi).  Felt pretty good but I'm still searching for a consistency to my stride. Sometimes I feel like I have good extension and push off and then I lose focus and it goes to crap.  Running a 5k tomorrow w/ my son which I'm approaching as a speed workout. 

I ran the Beat Coach Pete 5k w/ my son this morning.  I'm not counting it as a race because I had to pull up after two miles w/ a horrible muscle cramp/pull in my lower hamstring just above the back of my knee.

I did a half mile warmup. Weather was cool and with a slight drizzle but not too horrible.  I actually started pretty well w/ the first couple of miles @ 6:58 and 6:52.  Unfortunately, I spent a lot of energy early in the race. This race is fun but there are a lot of runners for the size of the course which funnels more than 2k runners onto the narrow greenbelt. Did a lot of dodging, braking and zig zagging the first mile or so but then I thought I was settling into a good rhythmn until I went down a slight decline coming through a tunnel underneath Capitol Blvd. 

That's when my hammie seized.  I sat down for a little while and contemplated whether I would just head back to my car but then I remembered that my son would be waiting for me at the finish. So I got up and walked for about a 1/4 mile and then jogged to the finish. It's pretty sore right now. I've got Robie coming up in a week and, more importantly, I'm knee deep in my marathon training. Hopefully, its just a bad cramp and not an actual tear.