Still Not Running...

Well, my feet are more injured than I've wanted to acknowledge over the course of the last month. Way back in April I started to have issues and took off a couple weeks, thus cancelling my plans to run Chippewa and Ice Age. Edwin's arrival came one day after my last long run, which was cut short because I was feeling a decent amount of plantar fasciitis in both feet. I really didn't want to admit it then and thought a couple weeks off would remedy the situation.
It's been 3 weeks, with a total of 11 miles of running in that time, and even this morning I experienced that tearing sensation with the first couple steps out of bed. I think this injury is built on several facets:
1. Since running the Fall 50 in October 2008 (and I ran that after running two marathons in the same month), I've never really had an 'off season.' I ran the Icebreaker Marathon in January of '09, and continued to run steadily straight through this past winter, and then ran the Psycho Wyco 50K last February. I can remember thinking way back in January that I was tired, and should really take a decent amount of time off. In fact, before February's 50K I did, and really wasn't that excited about the event. I think the stress of constant running/training finally wore me down, along with...
2. The fact I stopped playing basketball, or really doing any other activities outside of running and biking. I dabbled a very small amount in cross-fit stuff, but not much. I think I need to cross train and diversify my activities, instead of simple running all the time. And that starts tomorrow...there's an open gym in town, and it's time for me to embarrass myself on the hardwood once again.
3. Work and family stress definitely is playing in, too. I'm loving fatherhood and had a GREAT first Father's Day, and definitely need to continue to develop energy based on smaller amounts of sleep. I also need to get into running in the mornings...which isn't good right now when my feet are most painful in the morning.
4. I have run almost exclusively in minimal shoes for the last year--from flats during road marathons to NB 100's on the trails. I absolutely LOVE the feel of those shoes, but perhaps it's too much?
5. I tend to skip a lot of the smaller runs during the week, but then pile on the mileage on the weekends. This past spring I'd run maybe once or twice during the week, hardly ever more than 5 miles, but then run for 2 hours minimum on the trails on the weekend, occasionally on back to back days. That's not smart. I need to run more on a daily basis and build up gradually.
6. I think my current injury really comes down to the fact my Chippewa 50k nemesis is also injured, and she sabatoged my feet somehow (most likely some form of Irish Witchcraft).

so...where to go from here?

Back to Running, Take 2

2-week-old Edwin trying to blame that 'smell' on the stuffed rabbit.

Well, My week-long hiatus ended yesterday after 2 weeks. Things are still busy with the little guy at our house, so another week sans running was needed. Mom and Son are doing great, but there's really no schedule as of yet, so the running is still on the back burner. I did manage 5 miles last night, 7:30ish pace, and felt decent. My feet still aren't right--both of them now--and I need to keep an eye on them. I'm hoping to get some decent miles in this week, but there are more important priorities, for sure!

See you next week!

PS...can you figure out what the pictures on Edwin's shirt represent? Hint: Football.

Back to running, 18 weeks to Glacial Trail

With a Euro Mullet like that, I guess Eddy is pulling for C. Ronaldo to lead Portugal to victory in the World Cup.

Well, I've officially survived the first week of fatherhood and have learned several things.

1. 
   
   I'm very good at removing snot with a turkey baster type thing.


2. 
   
   I'm not very good at getting those darn onesies over Eddy's head.


3. 
   
   I'm average at diaper changing.

Last week was the first 'zero week' in terms of mileage I've had in 2010. I had a couple temptations to sneak out for a run but passed them up. So, today, after walking around with the boy in the early morning I headed out with the best intentions of running about 17 miles of the Glacial Trail course. I made it 14 miles, about 1:50 running time, before finding myself out of water, gels, and much 'hop' in my legs. My right plantar fascia was starting to feel it too, so I took a shortcut along a road to get back to my car, finishing in 2:01 and about 16 miles.
Eddy sleeps like a college kid, so I made it back home by 11:30 am and he was still asleep. I'm thinking the mornings will be my time, and I'll make the most of them!

Sleep Deprivation...

is settling in, but I wouldn't trade it for the world!

The only problem is that I'm starting to resemble my son by about 2:30 pm...



I should probably put this late night "training" to good use and just sign up for the Kettle 100, right?


And here's an even better picture of Mumma and "Win":