Adrienne Langelier Racing

Tonight was a sort of milestone in my return to training. After crashing the Strive session to do my easy 4 last night,; on the schedule was 8 x 300 with 100 recovery. This was a workout that 2 months ago I wouldn't have blinked an eye at, but currently it left me considerably apprehensive. My thoughts beforehand gravitated between "will my foot hold up", "how slow is this going to be" to "this is kind of exciting". At any rate, I was able to complete the quasi-workout with halfway decent results.

Starting out I hit my first interval in the fastest time of the evening (some habits are obviously hard to break!) in :58, not my best stuff, but not bad for post-hibernation slow twitch muscles! I cruised through the others not noticing anything in my left foot-a good thing. My splits ranged from :58 to 1:04 and I am optimistic that they will come down as I continue to readjust.

Was I tired and more winded than I would like? Absolutely. But it felt good to pick up the pace a little bit and hear the wind as I ran down the straightaway. 300s are not my favorite workout, but perhaps starting here will set the stage for the upcoming weeks. Upon reviewing the last time I ran 300s in February, I was only about +2 to 3 seconds off my times from then. Hopefully this is a good sign for how the rest of the Spring and Summer are going to go.

More sunshine, a little sweat, running shoes (with orthodics), and friends, I am continuing to enjoy being out and just running again.

Unfortunately this year I went to Boston as a spectator, but wow, what a great experience. I saw the sights at one of America's greatest cities, witnessed some of the world's greatest runners compete on the one of the biggest stages, and took in all the energy there was to behold of the 114th Boston Marathon. I left satisfied with the experience, albeit much more hungry to get there and do it healthy in 2011. There was only so much explanation I could give for what had transpired, but this experience was good for me.

I could write a book on the things I saw and did, but some of the highlights can be seen above, in addition to the scenery in Boston Common in Springtime, Cambridge and Harvard Square (couldn't help but feel more intelligent just by being there!), and Faneiul Marketplace. The salmon at Legal Seafood wasn't half-bad either. Of course, the sheer power and determination by the athletes was incredible. Jon and I were stationed at Mile 23 and had a great view from a hilltop watching my Brooks ID teammates, the likes of Ryan Hall, Meb, and Erkeyso.

Now back to the real world, work, and my own training. I put in some easy miles in Boston, well, because I was in Boston, and went to the track tonight for the second consecutive week. I wore only a neopreme brace and averaged between a 6:56 and 7:30 pace for and easy 5. I did a few mild accelerations, and so far, progress seems good. I walked off the track a little more tired but considerably encouraged as well.

Run Happy.

Coming out of the water....

Yesterday was my scheduled first run outdoors since March 1st. After 6 weeks of Aqua Running (I have trouble calling it aqua jogging for whatever reason) and a couple easy treadmill "testers", I laced up my ankle brace after work and met up with Team Strive and Co. last night (thanks guys!) to spin out a few easy miles.

I was scheduled a maximum of an easy 3, granted everything held up. I was a little nervous at first, not wanting to aggravate anything. I easily took off at first in my new shoes, dry clothes, Garmin, and all-I forgot that running outside made you thirsty! I used the GPS just out of curiosity to test the benefits of the 6-week science experiment I have been doing in the pool. According to Pfizinger and others, your VO2 Max is supposed to be basically maintained through vigorous aqua running. In layman's terms, it is how efficiently your body uses oxygen during activity.

I kept going at a comfortable pace, checking in with my lower quadrant periodically. Upon checking the GPS again I was moving easily at about a 7:17 pace-not what I would have expected after not spending any time on the roads for over a month. Aqua jogging so far has my absolute endorsement! I ran the first mile in around an 8:00-8:20, the next 2 in around 15:00, feeling as if I could take the pace up, but I was adamant not to. I usually don't take 3 paragraphs to talk about a short easy run, but getting out there again made me feel like a runner again for the first time in weeks.

This morning I was in the pool again, as I am still transitioning to road and track; 45 mins steady plus warmup, foam roller, core and stretches. More low miles tomorrow and I am hoping the positive trend continues.

Friday morning I leave for Boston, not this time to run, but to learn more about the historic race, reconnect with old friends and teammates I have yet to meet for my sponsors, and most importantly take time off with my family. It should be a good trip!

I ran in dry clothes for the first time in over a month today, it was short, on a treadmill, but it felt good, mentally and physically (so far).

Before returning to training, I need to test the waters of impact and make sure my tendons, connective tissue, skeleton, hair, nails (just kidding on those!) are amicable with impact again. After tightening my brace, just for safety, putting on a brand-new pair of Brooks Ravennas, I smiled as I went through the first 10 mins getting into a groove. Even though it's just been 5 weeks, it feels as if I had not run in much longer. I think what could have caused some of my foot problems is not using stability shoes for some of my training. That error will definitely be corrected, as at least for the next several months I will basically be using the Ravennas and Racer St-4s.

I could have gone faster, my cardio fitness still seems pretty much intact as when I was training this winter, I could have gone longer, but 20 minutes at an 8:30 pace (my old warmup pace, which is encouraging) was enough to make me smile. Hopefully, I will feel ok tomorrow and the weekend as I go into the next week, If only the rest of my day went as smoothly.....gotta take your victories when you can!

Run Happy.

What a crazy week it's been. Surprises around every corner at work, a car full of aquatic gear, changes of clothes, towels, and other random items I need throughout the week as I drive in early from Spring to The Woodlands to get my workout in, go to work, perhaps put some more time in the pool, head to the apt. for a bit, and repeat the next day. I've gotten into a little rhythm with all this, although I look forward to the mornings again where I simply get up, tie my shoes, set my watch and head out the door....if all goes right, I may be doing some of this starting next week, according to my healing schedule.

Speaking of shoes, I have started using an old pair of racing flats in the water, which really gets the job done in the resistance department. This is a good thing, especially when I am slated to run a summer race and I want to maintain as much fitness as possible. I've recently found a system that feels almost like the real thing, only cooler and you don't get as far.

As of today, I have just shy of 5 hours in, with two interval workouts of 10 x 90 seconds and today's ladder of 1-2-3-4-4-3-2-1-minute intervals. The latter, I must say, is quite challenging. As I start planning hitting the road again, I can't help but be excited and nervous. I think a happy medium of cautious may be the best approach.