50k - 1 week later

So after looking at my recovery after my last knee issue (1 year ago) - I took off 4 days from running, and by that time - my knee felt fine. Aside from a little muscle soreness in my hips - no other problems. Not one blister or toenail issue - thank you smartwool and size 12's!; I did wear my road shoes for this as my new trail shoes weren't quite broken in and the trail was not technical at all).
I began with a 6 miler outside my work (around ICAR), followed by 4 more there the next day. Worked out for me to run Christmas day after lunch and got a good 10 miler in. Took me 2-1/2 weeks to get that many miles in after Harbison.
I wore my watch (basic Timex Ironman) and my brother's Garmin he's letting me borrow. I wanted to check my route and see if the mileage I have been writing down was accurate (or at least as accurate as the Garmin). Turned out - my distance was exact! Whew - I've always been a little worried that my actual mileage was not true. I adjusted it down once a year or two ago - but now I can worry no more.
Oak Grove Lake: 1 lap = 0.85mi.
One lap + hill loop = 1.15mi

During my nice 10 miler yesterday - I was also thinking about the Mount Mitchell Challenge. I am still undecided...full refund by the end of the year, or only $30 lost if I wait to cancel by the end of Jan. Guess I'll wait to decide. I like the challenge, but want to see how my knee holds up at Harbison. Maybe I'll take a trip up there in Jan to look at the course.
With my motivation back - looks like I'll keep my current schedule for 2012 - running thru early June before taking the summer off from races.

My year in review is coming up soon! Will I break 1500 miles finally? (Not telling!)

Post Race recovery

So I took off 4 full days after the Marine Corps Marathon. After a tour around the National Zoo the day after the race and another full day of soreness, I took 2 more days just to be safe. My next run (Friday) was a very easy 5 miler. Felt a little rusty and sluggish, but no real pains, so that was encouraging. Times weren't really that bad at all, even though it felt like I wasn't moving at all.
Sunday, I finally made it back out to Paris Mountain to run some trails. With the Camp Croft Trail Half Marathon coming up in another week or so (at that point) and my desire to do another trail 50k, the sooner I got back out there, the better!
Wow - it felt good to be out, running alone with beautiful leaves on the trees and the trail, dodging hidden rocks and roots. And my legs?!? Fresh. Can't say I've ever felt that strong running this ~6 mile loop. I usually power hike up some sections, but I never felt the need. I know I was a good 4-5 minutes off my typical time. Go figure.
Of course, a little ankle-twisting episodes caught up to me a few days later with some tenderness on the outer part of my calf. After another 6 miler early this week, I skipped my run today and it feels much better. No more of that!!
Camp Croft Half in 2 days! Not looking for anything other than a nice run and seeing some of my Chattooga 50k friends. Congrats to Dan and Weezy for finishing their 1st 100 mile runs last weekend at Pinhoti (Alabama). So excited for them...what an amazing accomplishment.

Chattooga Trail 50k Elevation Chart

This was taken from someone's Garmin at the race Sunday:


My soreness has slowly increased - feet, right calf, both quads, and a nice purplish bruise finally appeared on my left thigh/hip. The worst of it is still my knee, but nothing that some rest won't cure.

Still wondering what's next for me. Not sure I can take the time to keep the momentum up, but the Triple Lakes 40 miler (or at least full marathon) is high on my list for early October. Stay tuned!