Cross Training and Long Run

After my Achilles hurt on the 19th I decided that a couple of short runs followed by a lot of cross training was in order to help me have a successful long run today. Last week I ran only 7.5 miles but I rowed 7000 meters and went 12.8 miles on the elliptical trainer.
Today I ran 18.3 miles in 2:48; I took it easy at first, went and ran 5 miles after the first 7 on the road and finished up on the road at a faster pace. When I tried to push the pace in Rehoboth I had the cramps in my left calf so I thought that a faster pace for the last 3+ miles would help. I finished about 2 hours ago and I feel fine right now. That will probably be my last long run over 10 miles before Hyannis. I'm trying to build for Boston and so far my plan is working. I will ride the HTC bus again this year to Boston.

Long Run for Hyannis

I ran 14 miles this morning, I had the morning off from work, it was about 10F when I started. I had planned on running 18 but my Achilles had other ideas about that; it started hurting at 13 and I just decided it wasn't worth the pain to keep going 18. It feels OK now so it was a good decision to stop. I still have to run a longer run before Hyannis.

Very Cold Running Now

Last week I was able to run only 20.2 miles. But this week I have already run 13.2 and I hope to run a long run Thursday morning. Yesterday I ran late morning with my daughter Kelly. We started out at 7 F and my cheeks got a little frosted but we had a great 8 mile run. Ice Breaker and Nile Dri Fit and CEP socks kept me toasty warm. I ran 5.2 miles today but I ran on a treadmill since my feet were a little sore. January has been a good month for me to run and this January has been no different so far. I'm looking forward to Hyannis.
Watched the Marathon Trials at Fleet Feet Saturday afternoon during work. Customers and employees all enjoyed the race. A friend Brian Nelson came in 14th in the Houston Marathon on Sunday; 2:29:49. Kudos to Brian. He hopes to qualify for a future Olympic Trials.

30 Miles This Week

January seems to be a good month for me to run. I have had great totals for the past 5 years in January. I ran just over 30 miles this week with little pain and I hope to run further next week. I finished the week today running with my daughter Tiffany, 5.3 miles. She ran a little faster than she was comfortable but I think it was a good thing; she needs to be pushed some to get her speed up. I just got a few more Ice Breaker merino wool tops to run in the cold; they are the best, but since it was 60 F here in CT today I ran in shorts and a tee ( I have Ice Breaker tees too). I feel good for Hyannis right now and my aim is to run a little faster than Rehoboth.

Keybank Vermont City Marathon

Ran 10 miles today; I'll have to watch it so I don't run too far this week since I feel really good.
Yesterday we signed up for 4 2-person relay places in Vermont; my kids are really into it this year and each one is running the 1/2 marathon. They are bringing friends so we are branching out and introducing people to my favorite marathon. My daughter Kelly will be a Marathon Fanatic if all goes well since it will be her third 1/2 in 3 months. A friend of mine from Fleet Feet West Hartford will be a Marathon Maniac after running a marathon in February, March and April and will run one of the 1/2s. I have run several marathons in 13 states now and Vermont is mine and my family's favorite. Hopefully, we get all the slots we need to run. We find out in February.

Happy New Year 2012

Started off the new year with a 7 mile run this morning with black ice everywhere. Slow going but a beautiful day to run here in CT. I hope 2012 bring good running to all and a injury free 2012.