Runs Since the Cherry Blossom Ten Miler

I've run twice in the four weeks since the Cherry Blossom Ten Miler.  My ankle had been bothering me so I let it rest two weeks before running.  I ran 6 miles a few weeks ago and after about 4 miles I could feel it bothering me so I stopped. That's when I decided to see my orthopedist and get it checked out.  He took X-rays and getting an MRI would be a good idea.  I had the MRI  a few days ago and I'll see the orthopedist again next week on Wednesday.

In the meanwhile my ankle was feeling good so I decided to run again today.  I started out going around the Herndon Parkway (counter-clockwise) and after 5 miles I could feel my ankle again.  It is not really bad pain... just a feeling that something is not right.  Irritating is the best way to describe it.  I pushed through, but as I started the second lap of the parkway I realized that (1) I was starting to get tired (running out of fuel) and (2) the pain was more steady than it was before.  So I stopped after 8.4 and walked back home. 

I'll wait now for the orthopedist to tell me what's going on and if this is something that will heal, or if it's something I can live with and continue to run, or not.

2012 Cherry Blossom 10 Miler

This was a good race. The pack was tight for the first few miles, but it seemed like most people honored the corral system so we all moved along at about the same pace. The one thing I didn't like about the race was that there a lot of turnarounds. Those always get backed up and force the runners to either slow down or run the widest path to avoid the backup. Either way, I don't like it.

My goal was to run at an 8:30 pace and I think I achieved that (according to my Garmin I did, but no official results are in yet).

Edit: the official results are in.  My pace was 8:26 and my total time was 1:24:19


Sadly someone collapsed around mile 9 and was receiving CPR when I passed him. No word on what happened to cause it, or how he is doing. Thankfully the support staff and medical crew seemed to be everywhere so I'm sure that he received very prompt attention.

Overall this was a very well-run race.  Organized and staffed with many cheerful volunteers who both cheered us on and helped point us to the right area for food, water, bathrooms, bag drop-off and medal pickup.  And I have to say that the medals, t-shirts and posters they made for this 40th anniversary event were beautiful.

I've iced my ankle which hurt a little after the race but not too much, and put heat on my back which was also a little sore for some reason.

10K Once Around the Herndon Parkway (clockwise)

For my last run before the Cherry Blossom 10 Miler on Sunday I felt like running 6 miles.  That's once around the Herndon Parkway, so off I went...

I chose clockwise because it starts with a wicked hill and then a gentle downhill for the first mile or so.  Then it's 4 miles of steady but gradual uphill running and then, finally, the last mile is downhill which is a great way to finish.

I have to admit, I have a little pain in my ankle. It's not stopping me from running.  It's just there.  After the 10 Miler I have to take a week off and rest it and then see how it feels.  I think it's a tendon issue which usually recovers with time off.  I can afford to take a few weeks off but no more (if I'm going to be ready for the MCM Historic Half on May 20th).

7 Mile Loop... W&OD to Runnymead to Folly Lick trails

After a particularly poor night's sleep and an especially stressful day of meetings there's nothing like a run to unwind. My intention was to run interval miles... marathon pace for one mile and then 10k pace for one mile.  I pounded miles 2 and 4 with everything I had but when mile 6 came around (and I was heading uphill mostly) I didn't have anything left.  Still, considering the night and day I had, I'm pretty damned happy with how I ran!

10 Miles on the W&OD Trail

I recently told a friend of mine "bad runs are better than no run at all", and this is a run that proves that point. I'm happy I did it, but just about everything that can go wrong in a run happened today. It started with rain after the first mile. Then a round of diarrhea at mile 1.6 (thank goodness for the Reston Town Center public bathrooms), then bloody nipples at mile 4 (crappy bandages sweated off), and finally I had some ankle pain during the return trip (icing it now, we'll see how it feels tomorrow).

But I did what I wanted... I ran 10 miles at approximately a 9:00 pace. This confirms to me that I'm ready for the Cherry Blossom Ten Miler next weekend. Bring it on!

8 Mile Loop : DC-VA-DC, Two Bridges and Three Trails (again)

I ran the same basic loop as I ran last Tuesday, but instead of following the C&O Canal trail in Georgetown I decided to head down to the Georgetown Waterfront development's trail instead.  I did this to avoid the Canal path's gravel which gets in my shoes, and is also prone to puddles and has a few street crossings as well.  The Waterfront trail is level and has nice views of the Potomac River and Rosslyn, and it hooks up with the Rock Creek Parkway trail.  This route does take about a quarter-mile off of my loop so when I got back towards the Mall I opted to run around the Potomac River side of the Tidal Basin instead of heading up Independence Avenue as I did last time.

Funny thing, my run was the exact same time (within a few seconds) of my run last Tuesday.  I guess I'm getting good at maintaining a steady pace.  I've been focusing on running at a consistent "PLE" (Perceived Level of Exertion) rather than focusing just on pace.

8 Mile Loop : DC-VA-DC, Two Bridges and Three Trails

Today I left work at 9:00 to go running.  The morning rain had stopped but the clouds were still providing good cover.  Temperatures were comfortable in the high 50s (maybe low 60s).  I'd had coffee earlier as well as my morning oatmeal at 6:30.  Right before I left I had a ClifBar and I brought water with me.

This time I focused on keeping my pace closer to 9:00 than before when I tried (and failed) to complete this 8 mile loop.  The first mile, though, I had to rush to get out of the higher-traffic/touristed areas of DC.  Once I got to the bridge over the Potomac I brought the speed down.

I felt really good on this run and will enjoy doing it again and again this summer.