Every Race is an Adventure!

We had talked about going to the THS track this morning, so even though I was alone I went. After a 3/4 mile warm up getting there and a 1/4 mile warm up lap I decided to run 3x1 mile repeats. I ran the first in 7:40 and figured if I could stay under 8:00 for all three it would be a good morning. I ran the 2nd in 7:40 again, and the 3rd in 7:30. I ran the last lap in 1:40, about 6:40 pace. I'm encouraged. I was pushing hard, but not really going all out (not mentally weak, just prudent as I'm still a little concerned about injury). It felt pretty good.

It was great to see Larry and Jolene waiting at the corner this morning. Kevin joined us and we headed up 2000 N. My legs felt very heavy this morning and burned going up the hill even though we were slower than last week. They were heavy the whole run, likely a lingering effect of yesterday's mile repeats and last week's higher than normal 47 miles. Like I mentioned to Kevin, at least my legs were just tired. I'm feeling much less pain than in recent months.

Average pace: 9:24/mi 

We had planned to run the water tank hills this morning, but with all the rain we feared mud so Kevin, Wayne, and I opted for the golf course route instead. Wayne and I were dragging; Kevin stayed with us easily and I think he was just idling.

I was hoping for Wayne and Kevin to be out, but was glad to head for the water tank hills with Larry and Jolene. At the start of hill 1 I took off. After three days of heavy legs I finally felt some zip in my legs.

As I made the switch back to begin hill two I saw Kevin coming from behind. He's been running so much faster than me that I was sure he was going to pass me before the top. I decided to just ignore him and push steadily and strong up the hills. He never did catch me. Of course, he had left about 5 minutes after us and had been pushing hard since the beginning of the run. I may have tested him anyway as I got up the five hills in 15:38...pretty fast for me. A good time is usually under 17:00.

As the four of us were coming down the hills I got distracted at the bottom of hill three...just before we got to the smooth, easy road... and suddenly felt the pain of a rolled right ankle. I don't know if I stepped in a rut or on a rock. I managed to catch my balance and not go down. I've learned to keep running (walking, playing) on a rolled ankle if at all possible, a.k.a., "walk it off". It really hobbled me for the next mile or so but I didn't want to stop.

Kevin and I had both been looking to the Fast Half Mile from 400 E to Main near the end of the run. I ran 6:45 pace there last week and was looking to give Kevin a run for his money. With the lame ankle, that challenge would have to wait. I did try to see if running faster hurt more or less. It turned out to be less, and I managed 7:40 pace.

After the run I iced my ankle then worked from home to stay off it and keep it elevated. 

I didn't run Friday to rest my injured ankle and let it heal a little.

We decided to run at 6am this morning. It was great to be able to wear a short sleeve shirt.

I didn't know until I met Larry a little before 6 that he hadn't heard from Wayne, and that he and Kevin only had 50 minutes to run before needing to be back to head off to a church service assignment. Wayne didn't show. After an 4.8 miles with Kevin and Larry, and a quick pit stop at the house, I decided my ankle was feeling good enough for some more miles.

First I looped around the neighborhood 5K course. I was going to do it a time or two more but I was bored, and my foot was feeling a little tired, so I decided to head to the THS track and run on the slightly softer service. They were just beginning to set up for a USA track meet. I got in 3 miles there then decided to loop up to Canyon Park (old WordPerfect buildings) and come back along the canal. With all the trees, the Canyon Park parking lots are almost like arboretums. I looped around the parking lots some then headed home along the canal.

When I reach 1600 North I came across Martin Wright who had just finished his run. As I was talking to him Rick Lamoreaux stopped to talk with us. After chatting, and checking out some thick smoke from a nearby house (just a guy burning trash), I headed on home. 

When I started this morning I wasn't sure how far my ankle would let me go. I stayed close to home as I wandered, but I ended up going 15.25 miles. It wasn't fast...a little over 9:00 pace on my own...but I was grateful to discover that despite a little pain and weakness, it appears my rolled ankle isn't going to impact my training too much. Later in the day I ran errands and did some yard work without it bothering me much.