After a Merry Christmas My First Run Outside

I was able to run 2 more times at the gym last week. I tried the new Mizuno Wave Rider 15 and the aSTAR by Adidas. I like the Wave Rider but the aSTAR were heavy. I'll try both outside in the next few weeks.
Today I ran 10.2 miles outside dressed in an Ice Breaker Merino wool shirt and Nike wind relector pants and top. A bit warm but there was considerable wind at times. 1:30:43 an 8:53/mi. pace. I ran the first 2 miles with my daughter Kelly and then she turned to run just 5 miles. I felt faster and stronger after 7.2 miles and both of my ankles/Achilles feel OK right now. I hope the weather holds but I did get snow shoes yesterday for Christmas so I will be doing some cross training this winter in the snow.

After the Break

I took off six days and started running on Saturday. 4 miles in 36:49. I took Sunday off and ran today after work  5.2 miles in 47:19. My left ankle is stiff but feels better after running. I hope to run 4 days in a row. I was so excited after Rehoboth that I signed up for the Hyannis Marathon at the end of February. I thought that since I ran the Colchester 1/2 last year before Boston and ran OK that running a full would help me even more in 2012. Also I have thought about running Hyannis for about 4 years and I'm always too late; they usually meet their limit by the time I decide to go for it!
I just got 2 new shoes from Fleet Feet (free) and I will give a review to compare them to the Brooks' Glycerin.
I know there is a lot of discussion about minimal shoes but they did not do my Achilles any good. I love the Kinvara 2 but I need to be careful and not use it as much as I did. I also just tried the Brooks' Flow (4mm drop); I love the feel and hope to run some 3-6 milers outside to see if it has enough cushioning for me.

Rehoboth Beach Seashore Marathon

Nick, who I work with at Fleet Feet, and I ran the marathon yesterday. It was the perfect weather and we stayed at the Atlantic Sands Hotel, about 1 minute from the start line. Nick ran a 3:23 (PR) for his second marathon, taking about 3 minutes off his Hartford time.
I started slow and my Achilles seemed fine; at about mile 7 it turned into a trail run which was great. Finally back on the road after about 4 miles of mixed trail and road, I started talking to a guy from Maryland. We talked for about 10 miles; it helped to keep my mind off of my aches and pains. I forgot my Garmin but he had one so I knew my pace. I picked it up at mile 20 and ran faster until mile 25 when my left calf started cramping. It got so it was cramping every step so I had to slow down. It felt OK for the last 50 feet so I tried to step it up at the end. I still feel good today.I ran 3:51:30, in 234/641 place, 8:50/mi. and 6/27 in my age group M55-59.
I did receive a free massage after the race, this is the first time I took advantage of the massage after a race.
It was a fun weekend and the Dogfish Head  pub is there too!

Come and See Fleet Feet West Hartford Transformed!

I worked yesterday during the transformation of Fleet Feet. It is a beautiful space and will help even more people in the joy of running. I'm just getting over a clod and had to drive the bus today (and run after work) so I could not help any more tonight (made supper too for Annemarie and grandkids). I work all day tomorrow so I'm sure to be busy!
I have run 3x's since Thanksgiving; I did not do myself any favor running as fast as I did in Manchester. My 35:01 official time will put me back a corral too. I ran 6.2, 4.5 and 6.3 miles. Today my Achilles is finally feeling a little better. I hope it gets back to where it was before Thanksgiving. The elliptical seemed to help before but I started off with 3 miles on Wednesday before the 4.5 miles and it did not seem to help.