Weekly Rundown- Decisions

“Good decisions come from experience.  Experience comes from bad decisions.” -Mark Twain  Well, it was a week!  There was more shoe and foot drama because… well, I guess because I’m me.  Thanks as always to Kim and Deborah for hosting the Weekly Rundown.  Let’s jump right in! Sunday 17 mile long run!!!  This run was… fine, for the first 15 miles, and then grueling for the last two.  I ran the first four miles in my regular Altras, then switched to the Timps (zero drop shoes.) Then I ran a loop I thought was 8-10 miles, but turned out to be longer.  Oops.  I did get to see my favorite part of the trail: …but didn’t get back to my car until I had completed 16 miles- I wasn’t going to stop and change shoes at that point, so I just finished the run.  I ran out of fuel and water, and ended up running the entire last 14 miles in the Timps.  17 miles the hard way! Monday Both feet felt good during the long run, but now plantar fasciitis is flaring up in my right foot (the “good” foot.) ARRRRG!   Unfortunately I have to blame the zero drop shoes- or, more accurately, the person who decided to run 14 miles in them the day before. After I hobbled out of bed (sigh) and loosened up that foot, I went for a 30 minute walk.  Then home for the Caroline Girvan Deadbug Workout.. Tuesday In the morning (again, after hobbling painfully out of bed) I did Sally McRae’s Ankle Mobility and Foot Strength workout, and then again the CG deadbugs. In the afternoon I ran 4 miles, and this run was HARD- because it was 88 degrees with a feels-like temp of 92.  Well- my race will be hot!  I should be ready. Wednesday Gym day!!!  20 minutes on the Stairmaster, then squats, bench press, reverse fly, abs, and Runners Touch .  I’m loving the Sally McRae workouts, but they’ve very focused on balance, mobility, and mostly lower weights.  So I want to get into the gym at least once a week to lift, ahem,  “heavy.” Thursday 3 mile run, then I was going to do the deadbug workout, but on a whim picked a Caroline Girvan 15 minutes abs workout instead.  I BITTERLY REGRETTED this decision!!!  It was a ton of crunches, which strain my neck.  I hated it!  Never again! Friday I did a Sally McRae total body dumbbell workout, and then the Caroline Girvan deadbugs.  Phew!  I’ll never stray again!  I’ve heard that deadbugs are better than crunches for runners anyway- don’t ask me to explain why, but let’s go with that. Oh, and look what arrived in the mail… Yes- ANOTHER pair of Altras.  They just came out with a brand-new trail shoe with a 4 mm drop- could these be my dream shoes? Saturday 5 mile run in the new shoes! Guess what… I don’t love them.  The Timps are more comfortable, because they have a wider toe box.  I give up!  Just give me a pair of clown shoes with some tread and a 4mm drop, and we’ll call it a day. Seriously, I think I’m going to wear these for my race.  I just don’t have time to get used to the Timps properly, and I don’t want to exacerbate the plantar fasciitis flare in my foot.  SIGH.  I’ve ordered some thinner socks- I’ll make them work! Sunday Off!!!  I decided the best course of action is to take a little extra time before my last long run, which will be 20 miles.  I’ll run that on Wednesday, and then have ten days to taper before my race.  For Mother’s Day, I told my husband I just want two things- to sleep late, and for someone else to make dinner.  I think this is achievable! Happy Mother’s Day if you are celebrating!  And if you’re not- I hope you have a happy and relaxing Sunday.