Saturday, March 8, 2014

Running again

Well it's been an interesting few months and I've now made the decision to adjust my race plans.

Last year finished as the New Year began. I was strength training and feeling strong. My motivation for Ironman training was low but I was OK with that. I was focused on swimming and running and knew that I'd get around to cycling soon.

The second half of January proved a tough two weeks for me and in hindsight, my body was telling me to take a break. I hurt my hip while skate skiing, hammered it a second time a few days while walking Luka and then got a full-body rattle several days later when the car I was driving was hit.

Xrays showed no bone damage to the hip, which was great. But I could barely move for a few days. You'd have thought I was the one set for a hip replacement, not my Dad.

So I did what I always recommend: I reached out to my chiro friends to accelerate the healing process. Huge thanks to Tim back East and Leah here in Squamish.

Thanks to Margreet I've begun a 'return to running' program written by Pete Pfitzinger and in the weeks ahead I'll gradually increase my running time.

Yesterday I ran 5 minutes, walked 5 minutes and then ran another 5 minutes. The first running I've done since a solid 20+kms on January 18th. Almost seven weeks.

I've had to rethink my race plans for the next few months. I already missed the First Half half marathon in February and I've downgraded my plans for the Sunshine Coast half in early April. A few moments ago I shifted to the half marathon in early May in Vancouver from the full. I'd rather target the half and run hard - plus it will save my legs for summer.

What lies ahead beyond early May? I haven't signed up for anything else at this point. The sked on the right side puts me in triathlon race mode but I'm not yet there.

Ironman Canada is there. Not yet sold out. I am keen to race it again, not sure that it will be this season.

While I missed several weeks of swimming, I'm back now and regaining my feel for the water. I do love to swim and the time change tonight opens the door to more pre-work morning pool visits. I am looking forward to this Wednesday's 400TT.

I'm back!