Comming back

I have not been blogging but I have been active. Near the end of August I had a little calf injury that would not go away so I switched to walking and bicycling. Today after a three week total absence from running I started to introduce some running into my walking again. I started with a good ten minute walk for a warm up and then ran for thirty seconds followed by four and a half minute walk repeated for the balance of thirty minutes. So, no calf pain, now what. Well I am going to proceed cautiously, next run/walk maybe Tuesday same interval as today, I will see how that goes and then make plans for the next run. I cannot make plans too far ahead or I tend to add mileage too fast and get injured again so I will proceed with caution.

My new friend.

I have been away in Florida to visit my daughter and her husband. While in the "Sunshine State" (it rained most of the time we were there), I made a new friend-Spartacus. We had a good time seeing Steve and Jessica and meeting Sparty. Sparty is a great dog;did you ever meet a Lab that wasn't?

New kicks

I just picked up a pair of Asics Gel -Fortitude 4. I have over 300 miles on my old pair (Gel-Fortitude 3). They feel the same to me as the previous model so I am hopeful of having the same success with the new ones. Why do the shoe manufacturers have to change the model so frequently? So you buy multiple pairs when you find a shoe that works for you-yes. So they can raise the price-yes! Anyway, I look at the cost of a few pairs of new shoes every year as much cheaper than doctor bills, so if good shoes can keep me running I will continue to buy them.

Quick 1.3 mile at 85 strides per minute

I just did a quick 1.3 mile run at the Rose Garden using the metronome holding an 85 stride per minute pace. I am getting better at concentrating on my stride, breathing and maintaining a good form. Last Sunday I ran a 5k a little faster than I had been, could it be the intervals and shorter run days using the metronome improving my time for the 5k?

I had to put my dog Reba down last night.

She was my best buddy, I am going to miss her.

Intervals at the track.

Today after work I headed out to the track at Muhlenberg College and did intervals. I ran one lap at 85 strides per minute then walked one lap. I did this for about a half hour. I bought a Seiko metronome from the Internet for $20.00. It is easy to set up and loud enough for me to hear while running. I read in Chi Running that you should try and run at 90 strides per minute which is tough for me to do so I am going to try to work up to that by doing intervals once a week.

Hot weather doldrums.

I have been doing Tai Chi and calisthenics indoors during this heatwave and limiting my outdoor activity to a few early morning runs and early evening bicycling. Waiting for the late summer early fall to ramp up the running for the 5k races and get ready for the spring half marathon.