Seven Tasty Post-Run Beers

BEER!

I tend to go for a super cold Dos XX, but it really depends on the time of year.  I can't imagine trying to choke down a Ruination after a run.  What's your choice after a run?

Goal Abandoned, but progress nonetheless

I had set a goal for myself to run at least a mile for a certain number of consecutive days.  I was feeling pretty beat up and decided to forgo the goal and rest.  In the end, it seems to have paid off and a lot of the small aches and pains have subsided, and I seem to be progressing toward getting some sort of fitness back.

Yesterday, I knocked out three hours on the trails.  It wasn't easy, but I toughed it out.  My allergies have gotten so bad that its hard for me to breath when I heart rate elevates (ie. i go up a hill), so it pretty much relegated me to walking up most of the bigger hills.  Nevertheless, I made it through the run and actually feel pretty good today, aside from being congested and sneezing every three seconds. 

I still have two more long runs and one semi-long run before Austin.  I have no expectation of posting even a decent time, but I should have the miles in my legs to get through the race without killing myself.  The race will get me my qualifier for Comrades with is all I need out of it.

Austin Marathon

Through work I was able to get a comp entry to the Austin Marathon.  I'm not going to be in any sort of peak shape by mid-February, but this race will accomplish a couple things:

1. Somewhat replaces Houston as my winter marathon, although, unfortunately, I won't be setting any PRs.
2. Gives me my qualifying race for Comrades

I ran the Austin Marathon in 2001, which was my second marathon.  This was back when the race started at the Arboretum and descended to downtown.  I was having a lot of knee pain leading up to the marathon, so on race day I suffered horribly.  I managed to tough it out and finished in 4:19:xx.  Even in terrible shape, I feel like I can beat that.  

Day Ten

Day Nine - 1 mile recovery/rest day

Day Ten - 3.13 mile easy run.

Total Mileage for 2012 - 35.09

Day Eight (and catch-up)

I missed a few days, so I'll just do a little catching up now.

Day Five: 3.21 miles
Day Six: 1 mile
Day Seven: 4 miles

I went out for 2.5 hours on trails today, but I mixed in a decent amount of walking. I'm trying to use the walk breaks to increase the time on my feet/mileage in order to build my base quickly. I know I'm not going to get my speed back this way, but it should get my endurance back up and then I can introduce speed again down the road.

Day Eight: 12.65 miles

Total Mileage for 2012: 30.96 miles

I'm getting close to revealing what I'm working toward...

Day Four

I ran a hilly 5.1 miles tonight at a blazing 9:06 pace. Pathetic. I'm having a hard time accepting that its going to be a long road back and I didn't do myself any favors by gaining weight while injured. Total mileage for 2012: 10.1 miles. I also did a little climbing at the gym tonight. I've been going once a week and brushing up on my climbing skills, which were never that great to begin with. However, I'm finally starting to tackle some of the intermediate routes, and I feel my arms don't feel like jelly after a couple climbs.

Day Three

Last night I knocked out what felt like was a fairly good pace 3 mile run. Turns out it was a little over 9 min miles. Its going to be a long road to getting back in shape, unfortunately. Total 2012 mileage: 5 miles.

Day Two

Day two found myself running a mile along the Old Ore Road in Big Bend National Park. Quite a scenic run for a short jaunt. Total Mileage for 2012: 2 miles.

Day One

Today is day one. I ran one mile along River Road in Big Bend National Park. I will disclose what I'm working toward in the coming days.

Is it possible?

Is the leg healed? I did a hilly 85 minute run last night on hard surface. I felt a few random sensations in my leg here and there, but they might have been completely psychosomatic. I'm definitely in terrible running shape, and I'm carrying extra weight that wasn't there before. Those factors could be contributing to extra stress on my body as I attempt to ease back in to this running thing. I definitely don't feel the shooting pain anymore when I put pressure on the bone. All signs are pointing in the right direction. I don't want to jinx myself, but maybe on my next run I'm going to suffer compound fracture of my tibia. We'll see...