Well, I finally logged some miles for December. I decided to go for an easy 2-mile run today to see how my heel felt. I had no idea what to expect. I had two main concerns:

• How would my heel feel
• How would I feel while running when I haven’t run a single mile in almost 7 weeks?

For the first quarter mile or so, I could feel a very slight discomfort in my heel. It wasn’t really painful, but I just know it certainly didn’t feel like my left heel which is perfectly fine. After a quarter mile, I stopped feeling any discomfort. Maybe it was because other parts of my body started to feel uncomfortable

I could definitely tell that I wasn’t in the same shape that I as 2 months ago. I didn’t have a HRM, but I know my heart rate was much higher and my breathing quite a bit heavier. I started to notice different parts hurting be it under my feet, my knee, my hips, etc.

One thing I’m glad about is that at least it wasn’t like the first time I started running, but I do know I have to take it easy for a while, if only because of my heel.

My plan is to run 2 miles for the next few days. If I make it through the weekend and Monday without any issues, I’ll go for 3 miles on New Year’s day.

I just signed up for my next race, the Dallas White Rock Half Marathon on Dec 9th.  By the time the race comes around, I would have completed 7 weeks of my marathon training.  I would be a couple weeks shy of the mid-way point, but it would be a good time to assess how my training is going.

I don’t have a specific goal as yet as that would depend on that first 7 weeks of training, but it would be nice to break 2 hours.

This week has been a one of the best running week’s I’ve had in a long time.  Except for my marathon week and the week I did a long 20 mile run, I ran the most miles I’ve run in several weeks and I did it with runs of just 6 miles or less.

I ran 32 miles and I ran every day except for one rest day.

The best part of the week were my last two 6-mile runs where I did them both without walking at all.  It has been several months since I last ran anything more than 4 miles without taking a walking break.

This is just the kind of week I’d like to have as I start my next round of marathon-specific training this coming week. The weather has been cooling down nicely which is also providing a much needed boost in my confidence.

Looks as though I’m back in the saddle!  I was planning to try and do my first post-marathon run on Thursday, but at around 8am, I looked at the temperature outside and it was only 60F!!  I couldn’t resist.  My legs have been gradually recovering and I had very little stiffness this morning so I went out and ran 3 miles.

I did the 3 miles at a 9:26 pace.  While I was running, it felt so easy, but that’s a pace I haven’t run in quite some time.  What a HUGE difference the cooler weather makes.  The last time I ran in 60F or cooler weather was back in April.

I am so psyched now!  I’ll probably run 3-5 miles each day for the rest of the week and then ramp up some more next week.

I’m excited and I’m looking forward to cranking out the miles in preparation for my next marathon.  I’m going to love training through the fall and winter!