Running into the Holiday 12/20-12/27

[colby]

A week after my half marathon in October, it became clear that I was going to lose the 2nd toenail on my right foot. I have no idea how I damaged it. After more than 2 months, it's finally gone, and the new nail is looking pretty good! Weirdly, though, it seems alot smaller. (narrower and shorter). I can't remember losing a nail as an adult. I wonder if it will ever look normal again?

I've lost both the second toenails (before the big toenails, actually, probably because they are slightly longer than my big toes) and this will make both the big toenails.

My big toe nail grew back thicker, but otherwise pretty much the same. My second toenails grew back thicker in the middle part but are formed much more closely to my toe than they used to be (it's kind of nice). Shape-wise, I think they are pretty close, maybe a little narrower. It took forever for them to grow to their full size and look right again, even the second toes. It's like you grow back a super thick layer, then it grows out, and you get the real replacement nail behind it. They do put up with more stress now... the bright side I guess

Ran about 5k with my dog yesterday and picked up a wandering black lab (turns out she was 2). As long as we were moving, she was on our team, so I ran her home and got close enough for me to read her collar. We called her people and got her picked up.

[Bike Chick]

I got in a 2-miler yesterday morning before I started cooking again. My side of the family came over for our Christmas get-together. It felt so good to run and do something healthy before I got into the Christmas cookies again. Anything leftover and fattening is going into the trash today!

[katluvr]

With the holidays I have not been around the computer to log my runs.
Thursday AM was a 5 miler w/ farklets (sp?) around mile 2. So it was 1 mile WU, at miles 2 I did 5 X 2 min w/ 2 min recovery...that only took me 2 miles so I did 2 more miles = equal my 5 miles.
My "fast" runs were only around 9 min miles. I was very slow during the recovery time. But still testing out these workouts.


Sunday was THE long run....18 miles. We drove out to this place called Fort Desoto. It is a old fort and nature perserve/state park. Very natural, very natural beach. It was in the 50's, breezy and overcast. Actually perfect running temp.
I felt good/strong most of the way. I was running abour 10:30 - 10: 40 a lot of teh time. I did take a "pee" break (and keep time on watch running) around mile 4. Took less than 3 mins. I fueld w/ 1/2 a Gu at mile 4.5 ish and then did 1/2 a Gu and drank about every 2 miles from then on. Til the last 3 miles...things were not as scheduled. I would say I felt really good/strong til about mile 10 ish. I was disappointed that I don't feel GOOD and that it is "easy" to at least teh 13.1 mile place. But that is just how it is. I did my first 1/2 in about 2:23....nto stellar. But I was running at a pace I felt I could keep up teh whole way. Between mile 15 to 16 (at miles 16 I had a turn around place and knew it was only 2 miles left to go)...anyway at this point it was tough. I had to dig really deep and fight the "walk" urge. I was defiintely slower by this point and time. But I hit mile 16 way ahead of when I did my first 16 miler a few weeks ago. I thought as I was at mile 16...that I not only had 2 miles in me but at least 4 miles. But I must admit as I was in teh last mile to finish 18 miles...I was glad to be finishing.
I think it was 3:18. A 11 min mile avg. So that is about where I am and seem to always land. I think I may be a smidge faster for race day...but I know my 4:30 goal is a dream at this time. I will continue to do my training as if I was going to make that. But I still think it'll be around 4:45. But I am pretty sure I can make it.
My toe (2nd toe right foot) started hurting and shooting the pain down into my foot closer to mile 10 this time. Used to be earlier. I know it is how my shoe/foot bends and the top of the shoe hits my toe. My toes are very short, my shoes are a 6 1/2 and I usually wear a 4 or 4 1/2 in dress shoes and maybe a 5 at times. So shoe is long enough. I have more padded socks and put mole skin on end of toe/over nail bed to help pad. Not sure what else to do (except cut hole in top of shoe!).
For recovery...walked into the gulf. It is a bit colder than my pool. I think I only lasted 5 minutes. My feet do hurt the most after the run. Like I really don't want to walk on them.
After warm shower did the compression sleeves and rested/watched football.
Today I feel pretty good and the feeling of accomplishment of running 18 miles...well as many of you know--that is priceless!

Next Sunday is the big 2-0. Should be a piece of cake!