9 weeks to go; easy week before stepping up the training

February was an ok month training-wise. Threw in the week of hiking in the Smokies, but made the mileage on the last week: just over 22. This week was the "step-back-easy-week" before stepping up the training in the month of March. I thought I could go ahead and do 4x 5 milers this week instead of the recommended 3x 5 milers. But Monday had other plans.

Running 5 miles outside is really not a problem for me. But Monday, March 2, was 16 degrees outside with a 14 mph wind. I couldn't remember the coldest that I had run (probably colder than that on New Years Day!) so I opted to run inside. The logic was that it couldn't be that bad running around an old factory with 6 laps to the mile. Well, it was that bad. After 4 miles, I was feeling a pain in my left arch. I kept pushing through it, but only made it 4 more laps as it got worse and worse. In the end, I examined my foot and found the beginnings of a blister! Oh great! Well, only running 3 days this week would give me 2 days of rest before trying another 5 miler.

Miles = 4.67; Time = 37:55; Pace = 8:07; running indoors on factory concrete floor ... ouch!

Thursday, March 5, weather looked promising outside. Another shorts day! Weather wasn't bad. Cloudy and 52 degrees with a south wind at 17 mph. Not a bad run. Used a bandaid on my foot just in case, but found out afterward that the bandaid had moved. Wore long sleeves with my shorts and fortunately brought my light gloves along. Wind was relatively strong that day, so depending on the direction I was running, it was a variable workout. Still a decent easy run.

Miles = 5.32; Time = 44:13; Pace = 8:18; ran from work to park and back on bike path

Saturday, March 7, had pretty nice weather. Started day out walking the dog, then went out and did a run/walk with Katie and the dog. Again, the wind was relatively gusty, so it depended on the direction of running. In the morning the weather was 60 degrees with winds SSW at 20 mph. Later that evening (after pigging out at NightSky coffee house) ran my easy 5 miler. Even though it was breezy, it was a nice evening out, and the grills were out in force. I think everyone was ready for the warmer weather!

Miles = 5.28; Time = 46:23; Pace = 8:47; ran around neighborhood

Total miles for week = 15.27

So far, all looks to be on track for the 500 Festival Mini Marathon! We will see how this week goes stepping up the training (especially tomorrow's tempo and Saturday's long run). Until then, I'll just keep plodding on ....