10k: Week Seven

I'm starting to feel like this training plan is actually doing some good now that my long runs on Saturday are back up in the 5mile range. Training for this distance has definitely been different. We'll see how it pays off in the future.

My sprained ankle started aching about halfway through last week. I suppose I should still ice and elevate it when I can. The swelling has completely gone and it doesn't hurt to run on it but it aches a little when I sit and cross my ankles. I have noticed some imbalances between my legs while running though, and think it may be weakness in the ankle as it finishes recovering. I'll try to be kind to it.

Mon 3mi run +core- My family (Donna and Lauris, JD, Melissa and Tate) came and surprised me at work today! Thank you guys it was really nice to see you. I did a 3mi loop around the whitewater channel and Hawfield Rd since the trails where closed. I'm really enjoying that the weather is starting to warm up. I'm trying to start doing a more dynamic warm up before my runs since I recently learned that static stretching may not be ideal or helpful.

Tue 45min cross+strength- I split the cross training between ellypticaling and biking and did two sets of my weight training circuit. My left foot toes are slowly catching up and evening out in comparison to my right foot. Nice to leave the gym again with my muscles shaking just a bit. Exercises are getting easier which means I'm getting stronger. I got to paint my toenails and enjoy the warm weather with Dargo today.

Wed 2mi run- I did a nice swift but relaxed loop around the roads of mount holly with Wayne. We haven't run together in a while. It was nice. We had the day off from work together so we got to visit some local shops we've been hoping to for a while. We stopped in a local specialty running store called Walk and Run Belmont. They had some specialty running shoes that other big box stores don't have and the fellow that helped me was super helpful and willing to discuss my running history and preferences in order to find the right shoe for me. I would recommend the store to any runner! I bought a pair of brooks pure flow 3's. These are the next step toward transitioning to a more neutral shoe that works with my foot. They're light weight, squishy, and much less ridged than may Asics shoes. They have a 4mm heel drop apposed to the 13mm drop in my Asics. I'll slowly transition into them by wearing them once a week on my two mile shake out runs. Hopefully these will be nice on the trails by giving me more connection, ground feel, and flex over uneven terrain while still protecting me from sharp rocks.

Fri 60min cross+core- Split my training between ellypticaling and biking again. The Mount Holly "Soul Patrol" was having it's monthly meeting and meal. It was nice to see several seniors in the gym working on their fitness. My sprained ankle is indeed causing imbalances in how the tendons and muscles move in my left foot. I hope it will even out soon.

Sat 5.5mi run- I did two 2.75mi loops around downtown mount holly with Wayne. We got to see the vendors setting up and the start of the Spring Fest 5k Race. I'm a little sad I had to work all day and had to miss the actual festival but I was extremely glad come the end of the work day, at 7pm, that I didn't still have to go run 5.5mi- potentially in the dark again.