Happy Blogoversary, In Training!

One year ago today, I began to chronicle my training leading up to the Trail Mix 50K.

Since then, I've run a bunch of races, logged more mileage than I have ever in my life, had great adventures and met a lot of really great folks.

Like a sitcom that's headed for sweeps week...here are some highlights from the first year of In Training:

Running (almost) barefoot. A lot.

My first Ultramarathon.

The Moose Mountain Marathon.

Being on the board of the MN Trail Running Series.

Interviews with a few of MN's running scene figures.
Wynn Davis
Kate Havelin
Larry Pederson

Some not so highlights:

Sour Grapes. Not because the race sucked, it was because that day, I sucked.

Toe Issues and a winter of making the elliptical interesting.

A special note to everyone who's taken the time out of a busy day to read this blog, comment, give encouragement, ask a question and inspire! Thank you all ever so much and stay tuned...I have a very exciting 2008 in the works!

Bring on another year of reaching goals, meeting challenges, new friends and Training!

2008: Week 4 Recap

Mon. 1/21:
Due to unforseen circumstances, workout canceled. The debate? Do you make it up later or take the zero?

Tue. 1/22:
Elliptical - 1:00' / avg. 142 / pk. 156 / = 38' / + 00' / - 23' / t.e. 2.8 / Mileage "5.5"
Core workout (100 crunches, 2 x work to failure incline bench press, 3 x 5 pull ups, 3 x 10 dips, swiss hip extensions: 20 on each leg): 15'.
Totally phoned it in this morning. Woke at 3:18 a.m. and couldn't fall back asleep. I don't even think I was awake until about 15 minutes into the elliptical workout.

Wed. 1/23:
Elliptical - 1:16' / 143 avg. / 159 pk. / 892 kcal / = 54' / - 21' / t.e. 2.8 Mileage "7"
Core - 23' / 119 avg. / 158 pk. / 177 kcal / t.e. 1.4
Took every fiber of my being to get out of bed this morning. Core workout consisted of: Plank - 1' x 3, "bird dogs" - 10 sec. x 6 ea. side, back extensions - 45 sec. x 3, Swiss hip extensions - 6 reps x 3, 3 x 20 crunches, 2 x 20 push-ups, 3 x 10 dips. Tired.

Thu. 1/24:
Elliptical - 1:21' / 143 avg. / 160 pk. / 909 kcal / = 56' / +01' / - 20' / t.e. 2.8 Mileage "7.5"
Some quick calisthenics - 10' / 120 avg. / 152 pk. / 71 kcal / t.e. 1.4
Am feeling like this is a down week. It's okay to have them.

Fri. 1/25:
Elliptical - 1:30' / 136 avg. / 176 pk. / 930 kcal / = 23' / + 08' / -58' / t.e. 2.6 - Mileage "10"
First half hour easy, second half hour some short intervals, last half hour harder intervals.

Sat. 1/26:
Elliptical - 36' / 148 avg. / 159 pk. / 385 kcal / = 27' / + 00' / - 09' / t.e. 2.8 - Mileage "3.75"
Yoga - 1:07' / 94 avg. / 138 pk. / 423 kcal / t.e. 1.1 - meh.
Elliptical - 1:18' / 150 avg. / 163 pk. / 1027 kcal / = 1:08' / + 06' / - 04' / t.e. 2.8 - Mileage "6.75"
A so-so yoga class sandwiched between two rounds of elliptical. It was a good, long workout.

Sun. 1/27:
Elliptical - 1:25' / 150 avg. / 163 pk. / 1027 kcal / = 1:08' / + 06' / - 04' / t.e. 2.8 - Mileage "9"
Core (see above + speed shoveling the ice off the driveway): 31' / avg. 115 / pk. 152 / t.e. 1.2
Decided to make up for missing Monday. Figured this workout also justified a dinner of sloppy joes.

TOTALS:
TIME: 10:52'
KCAL: 6754
"MILEAGE": 49

I don't know if it's the weather or last week or not getting out of the gate strong this week or what but I have felt just spent all week. I hope it turns around soon. I do feel better today after quite a bit of rest over the weekend. Two monumental nap sessions and lots of recovery foods (protien, vegetables, lots of water...).

Congrats to everyone who finished the Securian Half! Especially Julie who ran it with the remnants of a GIANT blister on her heel...and PR'ed! Also congrats to Mark who ran a very good race as well!

Finding a Rhythm

I read an interesting blog post that came, unfortunately on the heels of young talent leaving this world far too early.

Yeah, I know the website has that overoptimistic self-help vibe to it, but I found the post to be very beneficial. Advocacy for helping one's self and promoting positivity in one's life is never a bad thing.

Regardless of the cause of the young man's demise, I think the unexpected happening gives many people cause to think. I can definitely relate via very personal experience as to what his family is going through, and possibly even what he went through, whether it lead to his early passing or not.

In the post, the author talks about "depression" and how low tides are a part of a normal cycle of being.

Energy and interest are cyclical. Nothing can peak or sustain red-zone RPMs forever. Normal people exhibit alternating periods of high-output and low-output, the latter being recovery periods during which depleted neurotransmitters stores regenerate, fatigued neural networks recover, etc.

The author probably isn't saying anything new, but I find the same patterns of building and recovery in my own life and especially my running (well, my ellipsing, these days). If anything, being more active has taught me that 100% one day may mean anywhere from 70 - 130% other days. Hell, I don't even love running (fine, ellipsing) every day. This week, case in point. Coming to know and appreciate that has helped me learn a lot about myself.

That said, I usually hope like hell the down cycles don't last longer than a week.

I've also learned that while painful, most "walls" are temporary. A particularly bad run doesn't mean I can give up, it means maybe next time I attack it from another angle, or learn from what went wrong and try again another day.

Of course, sometimes I need a little more help and encouragement from my crew than other times. It is often wise to accept the positive vibes and help of others.

On that note, this whole thing got me thinking -- how does being active on a regular basis influence my mood? How does it influence others?

Take a minute to click on your answer to the poll on the right. Feel free to comment if you wish!

Why We Ran

Scott Dunlap has a really cool video on his website.

http://runtrails.blogspot.com/

2008: Week 3 Recap

Mon. 1/14:
Elliptical - 1:10' / avg. 141 / pk. 160 / = 47' / + 03' / - 32' / t.e. 3.1 / Mileage "6" -
Core workout (100 crunches, 2 x 1' plank, 2 x 1' side plank [ea. side], 3 x 1' stability ball plank and 5 x 15 sec. "bird dogs."): 20'.
Easy session on the elliptical with a "mini" core workout thrown in at the end.

Tue. 1/15:
Elliptical - 1:15' / avg. 144 / pk. 161 / = 1:02' / + 03' / - 24' / t.e. 3.0 / Mileage "8"
Core workout (3 x 1' stability ball plank, 1 x 25 hanging leg raises, 5 x 15 sec. swiss hip extensions [ea. side], 3 x 1' back extensions): 15'.
A slightly "faster" elliptical session, though I had a hard time getting my HR up to speed until the end, when dehydration took over and spiked it. Will shoot for only one cup of coffee before heading to the gym. Have been experimenting with "mini" rounds of core work following or preceding my main cardio. The theory being that over the course of four daily workouts it will add up to one complete session of a core routine. Weighed in after workout this morning and found I gained .5 lbs. Weird.

Wed. 1/16:
Elliptical - 1:15' / 146 avg. / Mileage "8"
Core Lite - 15' / 139 avg.
Workout: 145 avg. / 171 pk. / 1017 kcal / = 56' / + 5' / - 29' / t.e. 3.3
I think the 171 peak HR was during a set of Turkish get-ups.

Thu. 1/17:
Elliptical - 1:24' / 146 avg. / 171 pk. / 978 kcal / = 54' / +08' / -21' / t.e. 3.1 Mileage "7.5"
Core Lite - 15' / 137 avg. / 161 pk. / 154 kcal / t.e. 2.0
I spent about twenty minutes at the highest resistance level on the elliptical, simultaneously holding my abdominal muscles in a crunch, curling my tailbone inward and really trying to drive through my legs. It was the business. Dropped that pesky .5 lbs. Burned through "core-lite" for time. Was also the business.

Fri. 1/18:
Elliptical - 2:10' / 147 avg. / 181 pk. / 1545 kcal / = 1:23' / + 18' / -28' / t.e. 2.9 - Mileage "10.5"
Did first hour fairly easy. Second half I split into two sections, 1/2 hour dumbell workout, 1/2 hour at +/- 8:30 pace with a few "sprints" thrown in.

Sat. 1/19:
Yoga - 59' / 115 avg. / 423 kcal
Elliptical - 1:03' / 151 avg. / 188 pk. / 815 kcal / = 38' / + 14' / - 09' / t.e. 3.4 - Mileage "6.25"
Yoga on tired legs from Friday was interesting. Had little strength in quads, tight hamstrings. For the elliptical I found it difficult to get my HR up, but I am thinking it was a motivation problem as opposed to an indication of superior fitness. Last 15 minutes I went almost all-out at around 9.5 - 10.5 mph. Felt good to air it out. Noted dehydration after this session, down nearly 3 lbs. Must replenish! Taking a well deserved break tomorrow. This week was intense!

Sun. 1/20: rest.

TOTALS:
TIME: 10:18'
KCAL: 4781
"MILEAGE": 45.75

GENERAL THOUGHTS:
I just want to be strong(er). Like the half-wolf half-dog in that Jack London novel.
It's weird how one can spend the same amount of time on a machine at the same heartrate and get a completely different workout out of it.
It's just weird working out on a machine.
I don't know how people read while they're on these things.
I'm thinking I will try to break up my elliptical workouts so I get more segments with faster turnover rather than focusing on strength workouts. It makes the "mileage" jump, which is heartening.

A Series For The Ultra Set

The Fab Five Fifties series races are as follows:

April 12 Chippewa Moraine 50K
April 19 Trail Mix 50K
May 10 Ice Age 50K / 50 Mile
May 17 Superior Trail 50K
July 5 Afton Trail Race 50K
July 26 Voyageur 50 Mile
August 23 Lean Horse 50 Mile
September 5-7 Superior Trail 50 Sawtooth 100 (50 mile cutoff)
October 12 Glacial Trail 50K / 50 Mile

There will be a website for the Upper Midwest Trail Runner's Club up soon. Stay tuned! Scroll down to see the list of the 2008 Minnesota Trail Running Series races.

2008 Minnesota Trail Running Series

The board of the Minnesota Trail Running Series met last Saturday out at freezing cold Afton and hammered out which races will be included in the series. Races with more than one distance listed in parenthesis are worth 25 pts. in the series. The series race distance points will be extrapolated based on finishing times and is worth up to 100 pts.

April 19: Trail Mix 25K (50K, 7.5 mile)
Hyland Lake Park, Bloomington, MN

May 3: Runnin’ in the Ruff 10K (2 mile)
Milaca, MN

May 17: Superior Trail 25K (50K)
Lutsen, MN

June 7: Chester Woods Trail Race 10 Mile (5K)
Rochester, MN

June 14: Sour Grapes Half Marathon (10K)
Brainerd Arboretum, Brainerd, MN

July 5: Afton 25K (50K)
Afton State Park, Hastings, MN

July 26: SMU Trail Scamper 4 Mile
Winona, MN

Aug 16: Days of Old Track & Trail 10K
Maple Lake, MN

Sept. 6: Moose Mountain Marathon (50 mile, 100 mile)
Lutsen, MN

Sept. 20: City of Lakes Trail Loppet 5K (Half Marathon)
Theodore Wirth Park, Minneapolis, MN

Sept. 27: In Yan Teopa 10 Mile Trail Run
Frontenac State Park, Redwing, MN

Oct. 18: Big Woods Run Half-marathon (10K, 5K)
Nerstrand State Park, Faribault, MN

Not every race has its own website yet, but I will revise as I find the correct links.

The registration form will be up on the Minnesota Trail Running Series website soon, so check back often. I also happen to know that membership into the Upper Midwest Trail Running Club includes membership into the MN Trail Running Series, or the Fab Five 50's Ultra Series, or both, if you are completely insane. Running in the series gives you a shot at winning a neat trophy, or some Vasque shoes.

The boards of both series', and the Upper Midwest Trail Runner's Club are doing a bang-up job promoting Trail Running and getting new people involved. It's going to be a really fun season this year. Hopefully our biggest yet.

2008: Week 2 Recap

Mon 1/7: rest day.

Tue 1/8: Elliptical - 1:00' / 152 avg. / 178 pk / = 25' / + 26' / - 09' / t.e. 3.6 Mileage: "7" - Did the first 30' of this holding 5 lb. dumbells in each hand, every three to four minutes I did a set of curls, or held them straight out in front of me, or straight out to the sides (think crucifix), or over my head. Surprised how much that made the HR go up.

Wed 1/9: Elliptical - 35' / 144 avg. / Mileage "4"
Yoga: 1:00' / 90 avg.
Workout: 112 avg. / 174 pk. / = 22' / + 5' / - 1:00' / t.e. 3.2 - Yoga was great tonight. Very relaxing, very positive. No pain in toe, even in transitions and in 'lunge' poses.

Thu 1/10: Elliptical - 1:00' / 147 avg. / 174 pk. / t.e. 3.4 / Mileage "6" - Another dumbell elliptical workout.

Fri 1/11: Lazy tired legs. Decided to rest.

Sat 1/12: Elliptical - 2:10' / 148 avg. / 185 pk. / 1401 kcal / = 1:25' / + 19' / - 23' / t.e. 3.2 / Mileage "13.5" A supreme mental test. The television above my elliptical was not working for the entirety of the two hours I was running on the elliptical. Oh noes! I kept myself occupied by trying to do negative splits, which I did. After I got off of the elliptical noticed knees hurt, but mostly from the very repetitive motion for two hours. Keeping myself psyched by knowing there will be many trails to devour come March.

Sun 1/13: Took my stepdad for a Sunday drive up to Alexandria to pick up venison and chat with my grandma. Also stopped in to say hello and thank-you to the farmers who's land we hunt. Was a pleasant day.

TOTALS:
TIME: 5:53'
KCAL: 3520
"MILEAGE": 29.5

An Update On Goings On

This weekend the board of the Minnesota Trail Running Series will convene to vote on the final, final race schedule for '08. I'm very excited to whittle down my list of races. It gives me something to look forward to. I know I will race several small (short = 5K - 25K) races and at least two marathon or 50K races. Just don't know which yet. I am also planning on volunteering at Trail Mix.

We will also be collecting orders to make MN TRS shirts featuring the logo I designed. I can't wait to sport mine on my favorite trail come March.

The toe is feeling slightly better. I've been doing exercises that stretch the tendons and ligaments out in the morning. I also took some good tips away from the Runner's World article about how to care for my pet bunion, so thanks for that, everyone who suggested it! There's only a little bit of pain in the sesamoid area, so I suspect that's coming along nicely as well. I will be unspeakably happy when I stop stepping with trepidation and can start running again.

It's definitely an exercise in positive thinking. Must keep positive...breathe in the positive, breathe out and do away with the negative...visualize warmth, healing and abundant life...just like yoga;-)

2008: Week 1 Recap

I am posting this a day late because I wanted to leave the Larry Pederson interview up for another day so all my friends at the DRS list could see it.

Mon. 12/31: Elliptical - 1:00' / 156 avg. / 162 pk./ = 44' / + 10' / - 05' / t.e.: 3.6 / Mileage "6"

Tue. 1/1: Happy New Year!

Wed. 1/2: Elliptical - 1:00' / 154 avg. / 173 pk./ = 28' / + 28' / - 03' / t.e.: 3.9 / Mileage "5"

Thu. 1/3: Elliptical - 1:00' / 141 avg. / 167 pk./ = 42' / + 11' / - 08' / t.e.: 3.5 / Mileage "5.5"

Fri. 1/4: Elliptical - 1:00' / 147 avg. / 166 pk./ = 40' / + 09' / - 08' / t.e.: 3.0 / Mileage "6"

Sat. 1/5: Taking a knee: Brains feel like they are leaking out of face (bad headache).

Sun. 1/6:
Elliptical: 21' / avg. 143
Yoga: 1:03' / avg. 111
Elliptical: 31' / avg. 146
Elliptical: 45' / avg. 149
Total Workout: 2:42' / avg. 133 / 161 pk. / 1496 kcal / = 1:12' / + 08' / - 1:17' (yoga = pretty low intensity) Mileage "8"

TOTALS:
TIME: 6:50'
KCAL: 2895
"MILEAGE": 30.5

I tried to mix up my elliptical workouts to simulate some hillwork. I may just be fooling myself. Kel, I have patented a way to do the treadmill and put zero pressure on The Toe. One just plants their foot down on the flat surface of the footpad and pretends they've got a big spike going through their heel into the pad and the foot cannot be moved for the entire workout.

I see lots of people who bend their feet on the elliptical like they're walking. I find it a better workout to keep the feet planted because it makes the big muscle groups do the elevating as opposed to the muscles of the feet. I hope I do not end up paying for my neglect of foot muscles come March. I believe doing some balance work on stability balls and in yoga will keep those muscles working well.

Yoga was lots of fun Sunday. It felt good to be able to move again because Saturday I think I may have had a cheese hangover or something...it was the worst headache I've had in a long time. Every time I moved I got sick to my stomach.

Okay. No more whining.

This week the plan is to incorporate some of my old strength training routines into the mix, at least an hour or two's worth, and keep up with the elliptical workouts.

Larry Pederson: The Craziest RD in MN

Larry Pederson (photo courtesy Wynn Davis)

Larry Pederson may be the craziest race director (by his own admission) in Minnesota. Each fall he puts on trail races that are among some of the toughest in the country (Superior Sawtooth 100, Superior Trail 50, Moose Mountain Marathon, In Yan Teopa). Larry took some time out from his busy day to answer a few questions In Training had for him. Enjoy!

IT: Where are you from?
LP: I am originally from the Hayward Wisconsin area but have lived in southeastern MN for the last 25 years.

IT: What inspired you to begin running?
LP: I ran track a couple of years in high school. The track coach was also the gym teacher and one day he got tired of picking up towels after we finished gym class so he made us all run a lap on the track for each towel that was left on the floor. it was only about 2 miles but it seemed pretty easy at the time and no one else in the class was even close to me by the end. The coach almost insisted that I come out to run the 2 mile since there wasn't anyone else in that event. I didn't really start running longer distances until several years after high school (with a few bad habits thrown in there as well) when frank Shorter was running one of his Olympic marathons and I remarked to my father-in law that that looked pretty easy. A little bet was made and I was off to find a marathon to run.

IT: What was your first race?
LP: Paavo Nurmi, 1976, which happened to be about 2 weeks after the Olympics that year and right after I made that bet. With next to no training and having even less knowledge of what I was doing I managed to finish the race but really hurt for a few days after that.

IT: What was the first race you RD'd?
LP: The very first race that I directed was a short fun run type of road race in Hayward shortly after I started running, I think it may have been a 5 mile or 10K and was probably more along the lines of our present Fat Ass runs. I think maybe 3 or 4 people showed up since the real running boom hadn't made it's way that far north.

IT: What gives you the most satisfaction about running?
LP: I guess it would probably be knowing that it keeps me in good enough shape so that I can enjoy all the other activities I do.

IT: What does a normal training week look like for you? (miles per-week, cross training, etc.)
LP: I doubt if I have ever had a normal training week. I have never really followed a structured program of any sort. Generally I will average maybe 30-40 miles per week but then may go for months without any running before picking it up again. I have pretty much learned how much training I need to get through a race that I want to sign up for. I do know ultras require a little more training to finish feeling good.

IT: What is the best lesson you've taken from your experience running - from when you started until now?
LP: I guess it would be that if you work hard enough at anything you can finish what you started out to do.

IT: How does running provide you with a different outlook about life in general?
LP: I am always amazed at how so many people that might not have anything in common but their running go out and have so much fun together. There have been so many wonderful people and interesting places that I would have never known if it wasn't for the races I have done.

IT: You are perhaps most well known for your skill and dedication in Race Directing. Can you give a rundown of the races you direct currently?
LP: It is really just 2 events, the Superior Trail Fall Races and In Yan Teopa 10 mile, although the Superior races include 3 distances, 100 mile, 50 mile and marathon.

IT: What kinds of planning (not to mention hours) goes into putting on a race?
LP: I try to break the race down into smaller, more manageable pieces and just concentrate on one part at a time until I think I have everything covered. When I finally think I have everything ready I go through in my mind what a runner would see and do when they come to the race. When I can "run" the whole race it should be ready to go. For the 10 mile this whole process takes only a few hours whereas the 100 mile is pretty much a year round project.

IT: What is the key to putting on a successful event?
LP: I would, without a doubt, have to say that having good people helping in key position, which I have been very fortunate to have helping at all my races.

IT:Does planning these events cut into your training/running time?
LP: Yes, most definitely, especially the month of August right before Superior.

IT: What drives you to put on such well organized and really fun events?
LP: I like to try to think of these races as me putting on a big party for a bunch of friends. Sort of like aid stations compared to linen covered tables and fine china and ribbons on trail markers rather than fancy streamers from the chandeliers.

IT: Which race that you direct is your favorite event? Are there any races put on by others you enjoy doing?
LP: I really enjoy all the races I direct, each one has it's own special parts. I would have to say that I really enjoy any of the ultra races, probably because ultra runners are just a fun bunch of people to be around.

IT: Your trophies are much sought after in the Trail Running community. Can you tell me a little about how you ended up making custom trophies for many of your races?
LP: It seemed to be a good way to combine my woodworking hobby with my running. It seems like people always enjoy getting something that is a little different than the typical commercially available awards. I hope that a few of them will actually get hung up on the wall some place rather than thrown in the corner to collect dust. I have also tried to convince my wife that I make these awards to save money but I know she thinks it's just another excuse to buy more tools.

IT: What is on the horizon for you as far as races (directing or running) and/or the running community in general?
LP: I think I am at my limit as far as directing races. I am doing a little planning for a fat ass run down at Zumbro Bottoms again this year (around April 1). That continues to grow but I am determined to not have that become an official race of any sort. As far as actually running any races the only thing I have so far is that I am pacing Joe Lovett at Western States in June, although I have been known to occasionally decide to do a race at the last minute so who knows where I may show up.

The other big running project that I have been helping with is the formation of the Upper Midwest Trail Runners. This is a group of trail runners and race directors that are working to put together a running club just for trail runners. We are planning to make this a resource for all trail runners, from someone just wanting to get started to the seasoned ultra runner. The Minnesota Trail Run series, which has been around for a few years, is going to be part of the club as well as a new ultra series, the Fab 5 50s. We should be releasing details about the club in the next several weeks.

IT: Thanks again, Larry for your time! I know I speak for a great many people when I say we look forward to seeing you at races in 2008!

The New Elliptical Machines at Highland

Are like the exercise machines on The Jetsons.

The ones George straps himself in and it does all kinds of crazy things to him and then spits him off. It's going to take some getting used to, but the motion seems to be more complete rather than just back and forth.

It was kind of a weird workout, my heartrate would go up to the top of my zone and then would kind of drift back down to well below.

There were also about 1 billion people up there last night. That's right, the entire country of India came to workout at Highland last night. There was a line of exiting cars when I got there that went up three floors of the parking garage, and it was still pretty much full of cars!

I think it's great that there are so many people working out and doing great things for their health, but these are the times I get frustrated being an indoor athlete for the winter. I would have much rather run on the Parkway.

(Missed) Diagnosis

I am resurfacing from a lovely week off from the rest of the world. I had a good three or four days to myself to recharge the ol' batteries (and lots of shoveling).

To make sure the recharge takes lasting effect, the girl and I relegated ourselves to my house yesterday and ate the rest of our New Years Celebratory food-fest and just relaxed.

I went to a podiatrist over my break to get a second opinion on the toe, seeing as in nearly three weeks off it still hurts exactly the same as it has since I decided to see someone for it.

He gave me a startlingly different opinion, and while I'm glad I finally know what's going on, it wasn't the gift I had in mind.

x-ray of my right big toe

It turns out I am suffering not only from a broken sesamoid, but a "bunion deformity" (as I first suspected) which is putting undue pressure on my big toe joint and subsequently altering the bone in that joint. If you look at the x-rays, you can see where the toe doesn't even ride on the sesamoids anymore (probably why it's broken), and a "lip" of bone is being formed from where the out of alignment joint keeps on rubbing against the side of the joint.

He had some good physics examples of why it hurt, but I was kicking around "2-3 months of no running" in my head and didn't have room to pay attention to the exact details.

The bad news is that the joint will probably never be aligned without surgery, however at this point, the deformity is not so bad that surgery would make a marked improvement in the mechanics of the joint without the possibilities of making things even worse. However, he did say that he's seen folks with worse bunions go back to running. I asked him about running barefoot, and he gave me the "podiatrist cringe," and said that "minimal" shoes that give plenty of room in the forefoot might be as barefoot as I want to get when I start running again.

He added that orthotics would only help his pocketbook really, and if I wanted to attempt to heal the joint, rest is the best course of action. I appreciated that honesty.

So...I am pushing back my "start running" date to sometime in March (which absolutely sucks) doing research on bunions, looking for some wide toe box flats and occasionally wearing an air cast.

The long and short of it is that I enjoy running too much to stop due to the bunion, and will keep myself fit by other means this winter in order to enjoy a full season of running in the spring, summer and fall. Maybe I will take next winter off just the same as I have this winter so far in order to keep the process in check somewhat. I don't feel like running it into the ground is an acceptable or sane solution, so a schedule of balanced work and recovery is probably the best option at this point.

It's not like I'm keeping myself functioning in order to compete at an elite level...I'm only interested in being able to do the things I love to do to a point that they continue to satisfy me to the fullest extent possible.

That said, I sure am glad they got new ellipticals up at Highland!

I hope everyone had a great holiday and you are all welcoming 2008 with great optimism and happiness.