Pulling Back

November 12 – November 18            Total Mileage: 29 miles

Finally starting to taper back on the mileage.  The longest run this week was only 12 miles.  I hesitate to say “only” since it felt like it was much further.  I am down in the bay area for the weekend and for Thanksgiving week so I ventured out on Sunday to get the last run over 10 miles in.  I did not have time to drive all the way down to the Iron Horse Trail, so I settled for running from Dougherty Valley High School, through a few neighborhoods, down to Dublin blvd and back.  First off it was 34 degrees when I started, which is ok except when you leave your running gloves in Roseville.  Second, while the slight downhill slope was great on the way down, the now continuous slight uphill slope on the way back was brutal.  I still averaged under 11 min per (barely) and coming off a disappointing 20 mile run, I was really hoping that this would go better. 

I tweaked my left knee and it has started to swell a little.  I’m hoping that the next 2 weeks of less mileage will not only help my recover from a few nagging injuries, but also help give my mind a break.  The long runs are starting to become mentally exhausting.

I broke down and bought a pair of SeeYa’s this weekend.  They are even lighter than the Bikilas (same frame, less material and a larger midfoot shank) and are an awesome day-glo / highlighter yellow and black (I was searching for Blue/Grey, but alas…)  I look forward to breaking them in and hopefully having them ready by race day.

Shout out to Gregor who finished the Spartan Race this weekend.  13+ miles, and a bunch of brutal obstacles.  Not only did he finish it in roughly 3:30, he did it with very little training.  How could some one do it with such little training?  Easy – he’s straight up B.A. (like Baracus)!  Congrats sir.