Rest, Recovery, and some fun!

Since the USATFNE track 10k I have taken some time off to rest and recover a bit. I have been suffering through some plantar fasciitis issues and running 9 races over an 8 week period did not help things. The 10k on the track was really pushing things as it was one week after a half marathon and the foot had been hurting a lot. I felt awful during the 10k and the foot was killing both during and after the race. I had started going to Off Season Sports and Physical Therapy for treatment and I figured taking some down time could only help the healing.

So what have I been up to?

On the weekend of 18th and 19th I got outside and enjoyed the great weather. On Saturday I went down to Wampatuck State Park to get in some mountain biking with my brother Ryan. It was a blast! We had a great ride and the trails in there were awesome! It had been way too long since I had been out there on my bike. Its something I need to do more often.

On Sunday we headed up to NH to go hiking. Heather, my daughter Caitlyn and I hiked Mt Kearsarge. We had an awesome day and I was very proud of how well Caitlyn did! The best part is.....she loved it!

The next weekend Heather and I went down to Atlantic City for the Dave Matthews Band Caravan. We went for all three days, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. It was a blast!! We saw a bunch of awesome bands and of course each night was topped off with an amazing set by Dave Matthews Band. Some highlights included sets by Fitz and the Tantrums, Ray Lamontagne, David Gray, From Good Homes, and OAR. On Saturday morning I actually ran 5 miles with Heather on the boardwalk, the foot felt OK, it was tight, but not too painful.

Me in front of the main stage

Dave Matthews Band at Sunset

Fitz and the Tantrums

Lisa Hannigan

I really enjoyed my two weeks of "resting" and "recovering" ha ha. Next week I will try running a few times and see how things feel. I hope that a couple weeks off and my continued trips to physical therapy will get me ahead of this foot problem and get me on the road to recovery. There are races on the horizon and I want to be ready!

6/13 to 6/26 Total Miles: 5

Picture from Old Sandwich Road Race

Training 6/6 to 6/12

6/6 Monday: 8 miles in 61 minutes

Very easy running from Cedardale. Felt pretty good for most of the run, the foot really started to hurt the last couple miles.

6/7 Tuesday: 10.2 miles in 82 minutes

Wow.....I felt really awful today. I could not run any faster than 8 minute pace. I think a combination the heat and the 1/2 marathon on Sunday really got to me today.

6/8 Wednesday: 7.2 miles in 53 minutes

Late evening run after going to my PT appointment were I was once again tortured for an hour. I really hope all the pain they put me through help heal my foot. My legs felt much better today.

6/9 Thursday: AM: 5 miles in 40 minutes PM: 10 miles in 69 minutes

AM: Very easy treadmill running.

PM: Running up in Exeter, NH with CMS teammate Al Bernier. He took me on a nice tour of some of the very nice trails and back roads in the area. Its always nice to run in a new place.

6/10 Friday: 8 miles in 62 minutes

Felt pretty sore and slow today. They beat me up pretty good this morning at PT.

6/11 Saturday: 5 miles in 40 minutes

Very easy running on the treadmill. Didn't really feel well this morning, just sluggish and tired.

6/12 Sunday: 14 miles in 98 minutes

Ran the 10k at the USATFNE Track Championships. Warmed up 3 miles with my CMS teammates, then ran 10k in 33:24 good for 3rd place, then cooled down just short of 5 miles with the CMS guys.

Total Miles: 67.4

Training 5/30 to 6/5

5/30 Monday: 9 miles in 64 minutes

Ran the Titan's Memorial Day 5k in Pembroke, MA. Ran 1 mile of warm up and then raced 5k in 15:42 good for the win! Warmed down by chasing my daughter around as she race the kids 2k. Heather also took first place in the 5k....double win! Results

5/31 Tuesday: 10 miles in 73 minutes

Merrimack River Trail from the Hotel. Ran with Jim Johnson and Mike Quintal.

6/1 Wednesday: 10.1 miles in 80 minutes

Easy running out past Crystal Lake and back with Heather....till she dusted me over the last 2 miles. Got chased home by a thunder storm.

6/2 Thursday: 6 miles in 48 minutes

Very easy treadmill running at home. Just had no time to get out running today. Plus the foot is killing me.

6/3 Friday: OFF

Well I finally went to go see someone about my foot. I went to Off Season Sports and Physical Therapy to get a diagnosis and some treatment. The bad news is that I have plantar fasciitis, the good news is that I now have a plan in place to treat it. After a collection of tests and treatments (ouch!) I was sent home with a list of stretches and exercises to do. I hope this is the begining of the end for the pain in my foot!

6/4 Saturday: 4 miles in 32 minutes

Very easy running with Heather.

6/5 Sunday: 17.5 miles in 106 minutes

Went down to Plymouth, MA to run the Old Sandwich Road Race 1/2 marathon. Warmed up an easy 2 miles, then ran 13.1 miles in 1:12:26 good for first place and a new course record! I was very happy with this race, I felt comfortable and strong the whole way on this very tough course. Warmed down 2.4 miles. Results

Congrats to Heather who won the 10k!

Total Miles: 56.6