Two Good Weeks and Upcoming Races

I followed up my 15 mile week with a 12-mile week last week and a 13-mile week this week even though the 12 miles last week was covered in two runs (4 and 8 miles). This week, I ran 4, 4, and 5 miles for my 13-mile total. I didn't do any long runs this week as my right heel was bothering me after the 8-miler last week. The best that I can ascertain, I was suffering from a brief case of retrocalcaneal bursitis. This can be caused by a quick jump in mileage or training intensity, and I definitely went from next to no running to 15-mile weeks in a hurry. That probably wasn't smart, but the heel feels fine this week and I don't think it will be a problem as my body adjusts itself to the greater workload again.

I have actually felt really strong on my runs as of late. I think the increase in training frequency is the main driver, but hitting the gym twice a week and taking off a few pounds (five so far) is contributing as well. I am going to continue working out at the gym at least twice a week and may try to add a third visit per week as I progress in my conditioning. I usually lift weights for about 45 minutes and I have been walking on the treadmill for about 25 minutes following my weight workout. My weight workouts probably aren't the typical runner workouts as I don't like to lift light weights (what's the point; I'm lifting weights to get strong). I tend to go pretty heavy on my lifts; within reason of course. I can really tell that I am growing stronger and as my aerobic conditioning improves, my weight workouts are becoming more intense.

I will be running my first race of the year next weekend. It's only a 5K, but it will serve as a good gauge of my current fitness level. I have established a main goal, a stretch goal, and a fall back goal for myself. I've run this race two times in the past and have done okay both of those times but nothing that overly impressed me. I am definitely not a 5K specialist as speed is not my forte, but I can still run what I consider to be respectable times. I don't think that I need to worry about winning any age group awards any time soon, but hey that's not why I run.

After the 5K next week, my next planned race is a 10K trail run on Father's Day. Again, I've run that race twice in the past. It's for men only, but usually some bandits (women) sneak in and run it. As long as they're scantily clad, that's fine with me. Sorry, I couldn't resist.

There is another Tussey Teaser race coming up near State College on June 9th. It's a 10.6 mile race, and I may make the trip up, but driving up, running, and then returning home shoots the better part of an entire day so I just don't know. The 10.6 mile distance is odd, but that's because it's a leg of the Tussey Mountainback Ultramarathon 50-miler held in September.

Beyond June, I have the J&J Listerine 5-miler (formerly the Pfizer Freshburst 5-miler until we bought them out) coming up in July. That is always a very nice race.

It looks like I'm going to have a pretty busy late spring/early summer. I definitely feel like I am getting ready so we'll see how it goes.