Monday, February 6, 2012

Getting Back At It

Injuries are so frustrating!  The worst part is when people rub it in by running down the streets that I travel on.  Needless to say, it's been a long couple of weeks.  With the Wasatch 100 lottery taking place last Saturday though, I felt like I needed some good karma so I made it a point to get out.  Nothing big, just some miles on the Jordan River Parkway near my house.  I definitely felt the ankle every step of the way, but it didn't really get any worse as I progressed throughout the run.  A step in the right direction for sure.  So this week I'm focusing on getting back at it.  I don't have a plan in place other than running roads the first few days, then hopefully progressing to trails by the week's end.  Oh yeah, and ditching the extra 10 pounds I'm currently sporting.

With such uncertainty and such little time to prepare, I've decided not to run the Buffalo Run this year.  I'm not too bummed though and I really think I'm making the right decision.  I don't know how the ankle will hold up over the next few weeks and I don't feel like I have enough time to prepare for a good performance there, so why waste the money?  Plus I've got some really fun stuff in the months of April and May so I'll save my energy for that.  And now I don't need to stress about shoe selection either.  I'm sticking to the Altras and won't even contemplate another shoe unless I feel like I need 'em late in a race.  My hope is that I won't but I'm leaving my options open just in case.

The biggest news is that I drew out in the Wasatch 100 lottery.  I still have a smile on my face and I'm so excited to run my "home" race again.  The fact that I get to train on the course is huge, so I'm looking to put up a good performance there.  I have trouble committing at times unless I can be held accountable, so I'm holding myself accountable right now by stating my intention to go sub-24 at Wasatch.  That dang Crimson Cheetah is going to haunt my dreams for the next 7 months so it's time to put up.  Talk is cheap though so I plan on doing everything in my power to have the race of my life in September.  I have no commitments and no "special someone" in my life for me to feel guilty about ditching out on for a run.  No excuses!  This is the year I make it happen and it all starts with me getting back at it right now.