Running Program - Week 7

Life got busy...but I continued to stay committed with my training. I can't really remember a whole lot about what has happened over the last three weeks except for this week other than I have been having a hard time running slower (slower than 9:30/mile). The only times I've been able to run slower than that has been when I've used a treadmill. It may be time to increase my expected/planned paces (10:00/mile for short days, 9:30/mile for long, and 9:00/mile for medium) by 0:15/mile or so.

I did do something I hope doesn't come back to bother me, and that was increasing my overall distance by more than 10% for this last week. I knew with some things coming up in life that I was going to have a bit more time for running, so I decided to go ahead and up my overall times (20/40/60) to where I would like to hold it for a few weeks. It also brings me to the 20 to 25 miles per week average I'd like to hold until I figure out a specific date for a race. I looked for some races, mainly 10k races, but with how busy I'll be over the next few months I couldn't find one that matches my schedule. Maybe I'm being a wimp, but I just don't think trying to squeeze a half marathon in before the running season ends would be the best for me.

Physically, I'm still doing great. I was so excited to run longer and farther than I ever have before yesterday! Before yesterday, my previous longest was the 10k race last year in July (finished in 56:22). As I explained in a previous blog post, that was the race I injured my knee and couldn't run for quite some time. During my run yesterday, however, I did have something happen that I really hope doesn't cause me problems. For the first time, I got attacked by a dog while running. The owners had no fenced front yard, two dogs just out in the front, and as I ran by both came straight for me. One took hold of my right foot and began to the whole head shake while biting down thing. Thankfully, I was able to pull my foot free (with some minor tearing to my shoe...grrrr) and continue running while the owner came out cussing at his dogs. Whatever, dude, your fault for just letting two dogs that attack random people run loose.

As a result of that little episode my right ankle got tweaked. It just hurts a bit when I turn it to the outside. While the pain has been less and less, I'll have to be careful when I head out to run tomorrow. If it's still bothering me I may have to finally take a recovery week. Although I'd much rather be out running!