It's been a long time

It's been a long time since I have posted!  I think it's interesting when bloggers warn their readers that they wont be posting for a week or even a few days.  Do blog readers really get worried when bloggers don't post for a few days?  What exactly do they think may have happened - and why on earth do they think it's any of their business?  I really don't get it.  Maybe if I was an uber-blogger with thousands of followers I would feel obligated to let you know when I was taking a break.  As it is I'm not sure I'm even at the tens of readers stage so I'll just continue to come and go as I please thankyouverymuch.

So anyway - how about a running update?

I am currently two weeks out from a 10 Mile race.  This will be my first "destination race" and I'm really looking forward to it.  I'll be running the Soldier Field 10 Mile in Chicago on May 26th.  To make things a bit more interesting I just came off of a three week hiatus from running.  Back in April I had a brief but painful calf injury that eliminated my ability to run for just over a week.  Immediately following the injury I became fully consumed with studying for an exam I would be taking a week later.  I was literally studying every.waking.moment.  The exam was this past Monday and it took me a good four days to return to normal life after my self-imposed sequestering. 

Prior to my hiatus I was running about 20 miles a week including a long run of 8-9 miles on the weekend.  This past Friday I opened my door and started out on my favorite little 4 mile route.  3 miles in I was dying and stopped to walk for a half mile.  Not what I was hoping for but probably not an unexpected result after such a long break.  The good news is that I was dying from lack of cardio-vascular endurance (and let's face it - maybe being a bit wimpy) rather than any physical pain.  I had planned to rest on Saturday but it was sooooo beautiful outside I couldn't help myself and I ended up running the same 4 mile route - only this time I actually ran the entire distance.  Baby steps.  The plan from here on out is to continue to baby step my way to 10 miles in the next two weeks.  I don't have a very solid direction other than to listen to my body and avoid injury at all costs.  I'm hoping some sort of muscle memory will kick in and I'll be able to up my mileage pretty quickly.  If not, well - let's not cross that bridge unless we have to.

On a related but different note - as a result of my latest injury I visited with a physical therapist who (once again) diagnosed me as weak - specifically weak in the hips and core.  She prescribed several stretches and exercises that I can do at home but also suggested that I take pilates classes.  I found a place close to my work that offers classes over the lunch hour and I'm going to give it a try (though probably not until after the 10 Mile race for various reasons).  I'm quite excited to try something new and to see what kind of results it offers.  I'll keep you posted.  

Oh - check out my sidebar - I just passed the 200 mile mark!  Only 400 miles left to reach my goal - did I really just say only 400 miles? 

Keep breathing... and running!