It's that time again!

Time to make a list of every bit of running gear I might need for the next year. If my husband buys it for Christmas gifts, it's ok to go through 4 pair of shoes..... Just buying a pair of Brooks any other time of the year is "excessive". :) Clearly, he is not a runner! Just wait until he learns that my Yak Trax need to be replaced and the zipper on my winter tights broke last Spring.

Lucky for him, I have reduced my mileage lately and am focusing on strength training until January. Then I will have to make the decision between the 25K race in May or maybe a Spring marathon. Both will require a lot of miles and a couple pair of those Brooks. Hmmmm....maybe I should make sure the wear testing program hasn't lost my email address. I could use another free pair to road test!!

The Slow Season

It seems we've all slowed down here. I'm back in PT after surgery to lengthen a muscle in September. My arch feels so much better, but there is still a lot of strengthening to do in the foot and ankle. I can't even go up on my tiptoes, much less attempt a jog. Running up the stairs is amusing, to say the least. Good thing I've got quick reflexes to break the fall.

My teammates have been doing a great job--two ran races in October, but I'll let them post about those. I am so looking forward to running again--January seems so far away, but I know it will come quickly, and I'll feel like I'm a newbie all over again. Thank goodness I love to run in the cold weather, or I wouldn't even be looking forward to that. I'm hoping when I go back once again in January for the final post-op check-up, I get the go-ahead to hit the trails.

How is everyone else doing? Do other people feel the slow down this time of year? I know many states are still warm enough for race season to be going strong--Michigan has one or two left here in our area and then we get a little hiatus.

Still not there yet...

Well, I've made a few strides (or, more accurately, baby steps) toward working out again. I'm actually thinking about it now! lol! It's hard in this weather (in Michigan it's begun to turn very cold, if not almost wintery), so it's not an easy thought to have, to go outside and exercise. My husband and I have begun discussion on purchasing a piece of workout equipment and now we're just trying to decide which would be the best thing to get. I'm fairly certain that with a new elliptical or treadmill in my basement, I would be pretty excited to hop "back on the wagon." Or, at least, baby step onto the wagon.

Just can't get back into it

I'm having trouble lately getting back into a workout routine. After I ran my last 5k (where I set my personal best), I just haven't been feeling like running. Right afterwards, I put it down to being tired from the race, and after that it just seemed that it wasn't part of my routine anymore. It's so hard to get started again. Hopefully soon.

Running Alongside Everyone

Two and one half weeks post surgery. Not feeling too confident about ever running again. Pain in calf getting better, but I'm noticing the pain in my heel is pretty prevalent. The arch feels better, at least, but I'll rescind my adjective choice in the last post saying "amazing." ; ) Super, I'm sure, but if this has really done not-much-of-anything, I'll have to figure out what was worth it.

My friends are still running. Two Sole Sisters are gearing up for the Grand Rapids Marathon and Half Marathon--I'm sure they will post on their training soon. One Sole Sister is back into training for a 5K, and one just ran a 5K and set a PR for a run benefitting our local schools -- (great job, Chris!!!). Some other friends are figuring out their Garmins, running for local causes, triumphing over illness and still out there. I feel lost, lagging behind, too far removed from the trails.

Some silver lining--The Boot is off, so perhaps in a few weeks I'll be back at it. They gave me a 6-12 week timeframe (that seems pretty vague, doesn't it??), so we shall see. I hope the rest of you are keeping up the great work and training strong.

The Amazing Dr. A

Surgery this week seems to have been the right choice. Though I'm in the healing process now, and I'm back in this stupid Storm Trooper Boot, the pain in my foot is miraculously gone. I'm still curious as to how exactly one lenghtens a muscle, but so far so good. I'm hoping January 1st will be my Running Renewal. 'Til then, I'm going through the recovery process with patience, though insanely bored with having to sit at long intervals with my foot up. Trying to get the kids to help out without complaining is wearing on me, but hopefully at the end of two weeks they'll get it--or they'll be drowning in dust and clutter.

Hope all of your races and running is going great--I'll still be at the races cheering you all on!

No More Races for Me This Year

It appears my running days are done--for 2008, at least. I'm scheduled for surgery next week to lengthen the tendon in my left leg. I'm told I have the best doc around and that I should notice less pain in my foot almost immediately...we'll hope so! Physical therapy has helped with regaining strength (that I hadn't even realized I'd lost!), but it hasn't done anything for the pain I go through every day.

Thankfully, I got in three fun races for the year, but I am bummed to miss out on the great fall running weather and fun races ahead. The cooler weather is my favorite--autumn in Michigan cannot be beat in my book! In fact today is rainy and cold...and I am wishing I could go outside and run! Is there such a thing as REVERSE seasonal affective disorder? ; )

So through January, I will be there at the races still, but cheering on my Sole Sisters and complete strangers, as well. I know how great a little sideline support can be toward the end of a long race. Some runs are better than others, so when someone shouts out "You're doing an awesome job!" when I'm ready to throw out a curse word or two, I know it makes a difference in my mojo!