To many rest days makes for a rough beginning!

So, up this morning and out the door!  Granted, there were multiple pushes of the snooze button, but I headed out the door this morning none the less.  The humidity was so thick I felt like I was going to drown, but running in the low 70s (compared to the 90s) was nice.

I took the weekend off (see previous post for all of my excuses) which brought me to 4 days in a row without running.  This causes a couple of unfortunate side issues.  1) It's hard to get up and go running.  It seems that past 3 days off - is where my motivation takes a hit.  It also seems to be length of time off before my surgery site (for those who weren't here in January, I had a left inguinal hernia repaired in Jan.) starts to cause me pain.  The Doctor is a little stumped that lack of exercise causes it to hurt - but regular exercise keeps me pain-free.  I figure it beats the opposite way - even if that would make more sense.  Not many people have built-in motivation like that.

All tangents aside however, it was a pleasant (if slow) run.  For the first two miles there was no one around, then the last mile I went by 5 or 6 runners.  Apparently a lot of people head out the door for their morning exercise at 7!  Must be nice, I am supposed to be headed off to work at 7!  My Achilles tendon was still tight - the first .5 to 1 mile I had a noticeable limp until it loosened up.  Not painful, just really, really tight.  I need to figure out what to do about this...

Tonight I am trying Yoga for the first time.  My work has a "Health and Wellness" program, and this session is 8 weeks of Yoga. I am looking forward to it - as its something I have always wanted to try. I haven't been able to touch my toes since long before my age went to double digits.  Maybe this will help me get a little bit closer to reaching those wiggly things I can see at the end of my feet (even when wearing shoes thanks to VFFs!)

[caption id="attachment_646" align="aligncenter" width="601" caption="My friend Marna out in California... Maybe Yoga will make it so I can do this?"][/caption]

Complete subject change now - (I feel its nice to warn you) - I have been looking over the race schedule for this year.  I miss road races, and have done very little of it this year.  Partially because I don't wish to push and injure myself, and partially due to simple timing issues.  I have always enjoyed the 5k distance, but think I need to be doing longer races (or longer races as well.)

Looking ahead, some of the races I am considering:

• Aug 14 - Warrior Dash (this one isn't considering, the wife and I are running it - but we are running for fun, not for speed.)


• Aug 28  - Chris Thater Memorial 5K - I have run this the last two years.  The only issue could be that there is a 10k the day before - 3rd Annual Time To Sperr Memorial Run - and I wonder if I might be better off doing that one.  But the Thater is a couple blocks from my house..


• 4th of Sept - Monster Marathon and HM Trial Runs - I was thinking a half-marathon on trails could be fun. I wouldn't concentrate on being FAST on this one, just enjoying the run.


•  11th of Sept - Ithaca 5 & 10 Mile Runs - not sure which I would do, probably the 10 miles.


• 15th of Oct - 29th Annual Octoberfast 5K and 10 K - Prob. the 10k.  I have run the 5k, but it was over 10 years ago. The course was great and pretty (leaves change around this time)


• 30th of Oct - Marine Corps Marathon - Now this is a definite - and what I am training for! WOOT!

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