Lugging Around

Time:  25 minutes
Distance:  2.31 miles
Location:  Ottawa-River-Yucca Loma-Apple Valley Loop

Yesterday my Uncle Joey got married down in Arcadia.  It was a fun-filled day, and Deborah and I ended up staying the night at my parents' house.  I brought my running shoes just in case we got back with a little time to spare for the night, but that didn't happen.  Today, we left my parents' and I forgot my shoes, so for my run tonight I was forced to use my trail runners, which actually ended up being a lot better than I expected.  The trail runners, which I've only ever used on hikes, felt a lot more cushioned than my regular running shoes (because they are newer), and they had a good "bounce" to them.  I'll have to use them for the rest of the week.  And I may want to consider getting new running shoes before the 5K because mine are fast wearing out.

I felt like I had a lot of energy tonight!  I set out to run for 25 minutes at around 8:30pm after a very warm day.  (It was an interesting evening as there was a partial eclipse that we got to experience before the sun went down!).  But my energy level couldn't save the day.  Right away my feet, which had bothered me on my Friday run, were hurting.  The muscles around my ankles are sore and tight, and I'm convinced it's because I'm weighing too much right now (almost 180 lbs).  It just feels like they are doing too much work.  I tried different methods: running on toes, running on heels, alternating heels and toes; but nothing worked.  I just had to endure the pain.  At first I didn't know if I'd be able to sustain 25 minutes, but my will kept me going.  I warmed up a little bit.  By the time I reached about 1.5 miles I felt slightly better.  But without a doubt my feet are my trouble area right now.  I know what I need to do (drop a good 20 lbs).  But on a positive note, everything else felt great, especially my stamina.  My breathing is getting easier and easier.  I was even able to get a kick going at the end, so the other muscles in my legs are hanging in there.  I totaled 2.31 miles tonight, which was less than Friday's run, but more than the first time I ran for 25 minutes on May 14.  My pace is still too slow.  But I again must credit my weight.

I took a new route tonight.  It was partially the same route I ran on May 9 but in the opposite direction with more distance added on.  I started out heading down to Ottawa, hung a right and made my way up to Yucca Loma via Kasanka Trail.  It was dark and quiet along Kasanka as I ran alongside the Mojave River to my left.  When I got to Yucca Loma I took a right and headed towards Apple Valley.  My original plan was to head back to my house via Cochise, but I realized I would be back before the 25 minutes was up.  So I extended the run, heading out to Apple Valley and then down to Powhatan, made a right then a left, then followed Cochise around to Cuyamaca, where I stopped.  It was a big loop and in the end was actually a pretty convenient route as it never took me too far from my house at any point.

Today marks two weeks since I started my running up again for 2012.  Which means I have six weeks left till the 5K.  Things have progressed, but not by much.  I think the next thing I really need to focus on is dropping some pounds and letting my feet heal.  Until then, though, I need to keep up my mileage.  I have only three weeks left of work before summer break.  At that point I hope to crank my training up a few notches!