Rhett

19 weeks 

Weekly Report 

I was all excited to get started on my training for the Jemez 50 miler this week. I planned on running 3 miles each morning with a longer run on Friday and doing cross training in the evenings. It was all going great until day 3 when I strained my right upper hammy and my left calf both on the same run. Now that is impressive. I don't think I've ever gotten the double injury on the same run and especially when it was only a 3 mile run at an easy pace. After thinking about it, my upper hammy was probably tight from doing straight leg dead lifts and then when it started bothering me I probably compensated weirdly and caused the calf injury near the end of my run. Anyways, that completely altered my training for the rest of the week and I walked and cross trained instead of running. I did realize that long power hikes are probably very beneficial for 50 mile mountain trail prep, so I will probably keep that as part of my training going forward. 
 

This week I am hoping to do 4 miles each day with a longer hike/run later in the week. Tomorrow morning I will see if my injuries have healed enough to go through with that plan. Here's hoping. 

131 days

AM.  I woke up a bit before my alarm this moring and felt really good, so I got ready and decided to go downstairs and run on the TM so I could play it safe with my injuries.  I built slowly into running and never ran fast but was starting to get into a nice rhythm as I hit two miles then Doone came in and said Tally was on the phone, so I stopped to talk with her.  We talked for about 45 minutes and my muscles got cold to and my time was running out so I decided to walk one more mile on the TM before calling it a morning and getting ready for work.  

I only got in 3 miles instead of 4, one of which was walking, but I got to talk with Tally and I didn't aggrivate any of my injuries!  I could tell that my left calf did not want me to push it much and I still have some issues with the right hammy, but at least I ran!!!and walked. :)

PM.  Core work while watching the college football national championship, then moved to the bike trainer for 30 minutes.  Alabama sure wooped Ohio St.

130 days

AM.  4 miles nice and slow on the TM.  My hamstring is getting close to normal.  My calf is still being a bit fussy but definitely improving. I was pretty excited that I made it 4 miles.

Lunch. Morning patients ran long so only had time for 1 mile walk. I opted to go without the weighted vest in hopes of healing. 

129 days

AM. As expected I woke up with some tightness in my lower left calf so I went with my plan to skip today's run.  Instead I did core then 40 minutes on the bike trainer.  I probably could have run, but I really want to do a long hike/run on Friday so I decided it was best to skip this morning's run. Tonight I may do some weighted vest walking on the TM though.

128 days

AM. Last night I decided rest would be best so I didn't do anything.  This morning I was feeling pretty strong and energetic but my left calf was still off a bit.  I warmed up extra and did some mild active stretching and then ran on the TM slowly.  It doesn't hurt to run on, but there is just this little sense of tightness that I don't like so I kept it slow and finished at 4 miles.  Now to see how it feels tonight before I decide what to do tomorrow.

PM. Calf was a bit wonky all day so I just sat in the hot tub tonight and did some foam rolling. Tomorrow I'm going to adjust my plan from mountain repeats up and down Crossman Peak to a long power hike wearing my 20 lbs vest which will still have some vert. I think that will be easier on my calf and still get my some time on my feet. 

127 days 
 

AM. I got up and loaded my pack for a 3 hour effort, put it on along with my 20 lbs vest and headed out the door without much of a plan except to hike trails.  As I walked from my house to the trail I looked up and saw the ridge line of the mountain that peaks at table top and wondered if there was a way to start at the very south of the ridge and end up at table top where the ridge like stops ata cliff. I was actually able to find a way to do it and most of it on some sort of trail albeit scetchy in places. It was slow going in some spots so I wouldn't slip and die but it was really fun and my goal of time on my feet was accomplished.  I ended up totaling 10.3 miles in 3 hours 15 minutes with 2000 feet elevation gain. My calf held up well although it's still not quite right and everything else felt great. 

126 days 

Yesterday afternoon and evening I was marveling at how good my calf felt and this morning it felt great too so I embarked on an easy trail run. As I slowly ran over to the trail I was getting excited that my calf wasn't hurting and then before I even finished the first mile it tighten up again and I was relegated to a nice hike/jog for the rest of the run. It was slow but it was nice being out on the trails for a second day in a row. After returning home I hopped on the bike trainer for 40 minutes and then did my core work. I did 16 pull-ups in one set!  Maybe I can work up to 20. 
Unfortunately my calf is sore to even walk on. I'll get the day off tomorrow on Sunday though.