Where's the Donuts?

Really light, slow run on the Illahee Forest trails, and once again I could go without pain or discomfort (other than in my left foot a bit, but that's a different issue and I think doing nothing for a week has something to do with it). I won't say I'm out of the woods for my achilles, but I'm much more positive about my status now. 

I won't rush anything, right now I'll go with simply running easy and staying healthy for a month before the race. We'll see how long of a run I can get, but right now I'd take 13-15 and feel good about it. I talked to Mike, he's interested in running a slow pace as well. So hopefully I can show up in Toyko with a healthy leg, enough fitness to get through, and just enjoy the experience. 

supernnova glide (blue) -- 2.5

Another easy run, just about 25 minutes on the Y treadmill. Everything felt fine, but there's no reason to rush back and risk aggravating my achilles. I'll slowly build up this week, see how it goes. And I can feel a little lethargy from the week away, which creates a little stress in my legs. 

After the run, stretched thoroughly and did calf raises, squats with the 10-pound med ball, and clam shells (20xeach side) for my hip flexors. Trying to make sure I keep the other areas strong so additional strain doesn't head to my calves. 

My throat starting bothering me at work today, but I thought I'd take a chance to sweat out a potential cold, since those have been going around. Ran 3.5 at the Y, at which point I was pretty tired and my achilles a little tight. Stretched thoroughly then picked up tea/lemons etc. and crashed on the couch. 

Thursday morning I was much worse, however, and the doctor diagnosed a nasty case of strep throat. So I'm out for a few more days, I can't catch a break this month... 

Pretty encouraging run this morning, in light of the past two weeks. It's a sunny, dry, mild day here, one of the Pacific Northwest January days that feels like April. I ran out Trenton to Iallhee State Park, did a loop down to the beach then back up and through the campground, out and back a one-way street near the entrance then back on Trenton. I cut west on 22nd to Perry, then down to Shore Drive and back my usual route. Ran an easy pace, tried to keep my heart rate really low (other than climbing the trail up from the beach, and then on Shore I strided out a bit). 

No achilles pain, which is great, and just a slight tiredness in my left hip flexor, which I've been a little worried about. And my overall energy level was fine, which was a worry after a few days flat on my back. So even though 8 is about half what I'd planned to be doing today, I'll take it. If I can get two more solid runs like this the next two weeks, at least I'll know I can get through Tokyo. 

supernova glide blue -- 17