Countdown to the Army Ten Miler (ATM)

Yesterday I started my training program for the ATM, which is on October 24, 2010. Well, I did my long run, which I plan to do some variation of every weekend (usually Saturdays) until the race.  The rest of my “training program” is still in the planning process.

First, about my run.  I generally planned on running 8 miles on the bike path, but I toyed with the idea of doing 9.  For me, toying with an idea and doing it are just about the same thing. To add the mile to my planned 8 mile out-and-back route, I decided to run 0.5 mi north of my usual starting point, and then turn around and run 4.5 miles and then turn around and run 4 miles back. That way, the mile I was adding “mentally” was at the start of my run – I didn’t have to keep going after my usual “finish line.”

I also bargained with myself that I could do the 9 miles (instead of 8 miles) if I promised to go slowly.  I’m not very good at that, although I’ve gotten better after being sidelined with more injuries than I care to remember, most from over-training. I aimed for a 10:30 pace, but ended up doing most miles @ 10:08. My average was about 10:15, including the first mile that I did manage to hit at 10:30.

Everything felt great until the last two miles.  First I felt a bit of twinginess in my right foot (I have a history of PF). Then I felt *something* in my left leg, below my knee, on the outside. Neither pain lingered for too long and both were gone completely after I stopped. Still, today I did some time with the foam roller (OW!) and lacrosse ball just in case.

My “training program” will include running T/Th/Sat. While most race training programs include at least 4 running days, a three day program worked well for me for the GW Parkway Classic.  I originally was going to do WTs M/W/F (like my current general fitness program) but I am toying with the idea of doing WTs M/W and yoga or pilates on Fridays to give my legs more of a break before my long run.  In this case “toying with the idea” may not mean doing it because, Type A that I am, yoga and pilates just do not get me out of bed the way the promise of a hard run or solid WT workout do.

I got new shoes yesterday afternoon. A “fresh” pair of the same model I’ve been using relatively injury-free for a while now: Mizuno Gel Inspire 6. I took them on a short test run on the treadmill this morning, and they felt good.