20:48

That is how fast I managed to run from the Manor Area to the cliffs today. At over a minute faster than my previous best, it makes me happy to see that my fitness at least as far as climbing is getting much better. I've settled into a nice rhythm of running from the Manor Area up to the cliffs on Tuesdays and Thursdays (roughly 4.5mi round trip I believe), doing an easy ~3 mile around the "trails" on campus Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, and a longish run on Saturdays. Sundays are mandatory rest days for the time being because I want to ease back into training, something perhaps I didn't do as well following the V.A. Beach Marathon as I should have.

Occasionally I will have some soreness in my Achilles post-run, but usually it wears off as the evening goes on and in the mornings (when Achilles tendinitis makes itself known) I never have any issues. That combined with that fact that the "pinch test" doesn't yield any more pain than the non-hurting Achilles makes me think it is due to MT101 heel-ridge rubbing action. When I run in socks it seems like it helps (although that's not as comfortable for my feet!) so there is some evidence in that respect to support that hypothesis. Either way my legs feel strong and I feel fit for the first time in a while.

On thing I know I have been enjoying has been the wonderful fall weather (most of the time). While there was one week during which the remnants of hurricane Lee decided to pour on us for the entirety of the week (not exaggerating) most days are mildly humid with lows in the upper 50's and highs in the low to mid 70's. As I look up and begin to see the fall colors on the trees I can't help but be glad to be able to run in such beautiful weather.

As I said previously, a future plans section was in the works and here is is. I'll start off with a general calendar of important races that I plan to run with the ones in bold as the most important ones.

- Goodloe Byron 15K - December '11

- Lewis 10 Miler - January '12

- Hashawha Hills 50 km Trail Run - February 25, 2012

- RRCA 10 Mile Challenge February 26, 2012 (if I am not incredibly sore from the HH50K the previous day)

- Seneca Creek Greenway Trail 50K - March '12

- HAT 50K Trail Run - March 24, 2012

- Frederick Half Marathon - May '12

- Catoctin 50k Trail Run - July 28, 2012

- Steamtown Marathon - October '12

And beyond that it is too early to predict. Of note is also the increased race distances (50K) and lack of small local 5K's and such. I am going to try and avoid those small races more than I have in the past. Not because I don't enjoy them, because they are almost always fun events, but because I don't recover very quickly from shorter race efforts (10K and 5K) and it is unnecessary to have a 5K the previous day make me unable to get in a quality run for several days following that.

With the next serious race not coming up until late July next summer, I am planning on trying some new things with regards to my training. First and foremost I am trying to stay off of the roads as much as possible. The MT101's are not ideally designed for road running in the first place and I feel like running trails is healthier for my legs anyway. I also want to make hill running a more important part of my running. With two climbs per week up to the cliffs and back, I think I will really benefit from the increased strength that will be useful as hill training in and of itself but also as a way of building leg strength for the longer 50K distances I want to start racing.

As the various races approach I will probably have to change my weekly MWF/TH/Sat running schedule mentioned above but I feel like based on how my body has adapted to training in the recent weeks that might be the best fit for me. As road races such as the Byron 15K and Lewis 10 miler get closer I expect I will have to incorporate some road running into the training plan to build road-strength in mt legs. Interestingly enough, I think the Bryon 15K course will be a perfect workout for that, with the multiple miles of downhill pounding being just about as tough on the legs as you can find around here.

Quote of the Day:

"There are as many reasons for running as there are days in the year, years in my life. But mostly I run because I am an animal and a child, an artist and a saint. So, too, are you. Find your own play, your own self-renewing compulsion, and you will become the person you are meant to be." ~George Sheehan