I'll Take a Double on Ice

Time: 77:43
Distance: 10.85 miles

Even though you're not supposed to run after getting acupuncture, I did so anyway. Sorry Dr. Greenapple for disobeying your eastern medicine techniques and "blowing my chi." I met up with Caitlin and later Aaron for some easy miles through relatively ice free roads. There were a couple sections that were dicey but everyone managed to stay bipedal. I didn't know Caitlin wanted to get 10+ until about an hour into the run so I ended with more miles than necessary.

I ran in a pair of K-Swizzy's for the first time tonight. Now that TGA doesn't have a footwear brand, we are being approached by various companies wanting to know if we're interested in working with them. Since we aren't eager to jump back in to the footwear market, though I do love me some shoes, we are able to take our time and will sign the right brand. So when a shoe maker comes calling, what do we do? Tell them to send us some kicks to test out. That's what tonight was, a test drive in the K-Swiss Blade. If I don't continue to be a slackass, I'll write a review once the shoes have 50+ miles on them.

Ice Skating

Time: 60:10
Distance: ~8.5 miles

Fortunately I was able to miss the worst of ice storm 2011 when I traveled to New Orleans, but I still got a taste of it this morning. I went out for my Medium Loop only to find the bike path of Freedom Park slippery and unsafe. I called an audible and ventured through the surrounding neighborhoods. Running through Dilworth was tolerable for the most part. I felt that the crew over at RFYL needed a visit so I ran in, gave high fives and left for home. My achilles is feeling pretty damn good and I get to see Dr. Greenapple this afternoon too.

Charlotte Sees Snow

Time: 46:26
Distance: 5.73 miles
Pace: 8:06
Map

I've had a pretty high volume week thus far and today I just wanted to relax. Meagan and I were greeted this morning with a few inches of snow. She thought it was fantastic, I thought it was going to work over my achilles. My days up in Providence taught me that running on uncleared, icy streets can be disastrous for training. The little bit of slipping at the end of each stride really adds up and causes extra stress to the achilles and calves. The marathon build up is going great so far and I don't want a little bit of snow to ruin things.

White stuff and ice make for a terrible running surface.

Ralphie's big sister?

Meagan and I ran to Run For Your Life and back for our route. We didn't expect there to be too much business, but evidently the snow didn't stop customers from needing shoes. The run turned into two, 20 minute runs as our break at the running store was at least 30 minutes. I needed a good day of recovery.

Snow/Ice Day?

Time: none
Distance: none

It's 8:30 am right now and I'm unsure if I'll be able to run today. The achilles was a little sore this morning but I think light running will help me loosen everything up. Currently there is a light snow or small ice balls falling from the sky. OU's classes have already been canceled and OK Runner closed early last night. Not sure when I'll be going in to work. Running in this stuff would not be wise considering my leg is still a bit banged up. I guess a forced day off is not such a bad thing right now.

Not a familiar sight in Norman.

I'll be making the first footprints down the sidewalk today.

12/7 to 12/13

Time: 0 minutes
Distance: 0 miles

A few days ago Tom and I decided not to run the Dallas White Rock Half Marathon and opted to take some time off instead. I have been able to focus on school work and let my body fully rest for the first time since late June. The few runs that I have done were nice knowing that I didn't have a workout in a few days and needed to be rested. I was just able to enjoy the run.

I thought about starting up the training on 12/10 b/c most of my work was already completed. However, when I got up I found out that Campus Lodge was without electricity. Not only were we without electricity but most of the state was too. There was no way I was going to put in some time on the feet, come back and sit around in dirty running clothes without the ability to take a hot shower. I was able to hang out at campus, Kristi's and Jilane's for a few days before leaving for Cali. On Weds. night when I went by the Lodge to pick up my clothes, the apartment smelled like Marijuana, was probably 40 degrees and darker than most caves. After grabbing a random assortment of apparel I was off to Jilane's to pack and go out for the last time of the running break.

Now that I'm back in Cali I have started running again. Slowly but surely getting back into things. The break was nice. But, not feeling useless is nicer. Also, not having to run in ice storms where power lines are snapped by falling branches is pretty nice too.