Since it is Thursday, I’m linking up today with Amanda for Thinking Out Loud Thursday.
Here’s what I’m thinking about today…
Did I dream it?
Last Sunday, I did my last long run. I used to only run 8 miles the weekend before my half but the last few trainings, I’ve done 10 miles. So that’s what I planned. Accidentally I ran 11 but at 4:1 intervals and I felt great afterward.

Then in the middle of the night, I woke up with an ache in my right Achilles. Of course I freaked. The first thing that came to mind was an injury I had in 2011 and the 4 weeks of PT and NO RUNNING. That would mean a DNS for this half marathon on Sunday and DNSing 11 shorter races in the next few months.
So I iced it, took ibuprofen and put on a compression sock.
The next morning, it felt fine but I was still worried so I wore compression socks to work. I even considered skipping my evening running practice.
Well, I went for a walk and it felt fine. No pain!
I decided to go to my running group and play it by ear. If it hurt, I would quit.
On the schedule were 8 400m intervals at 5k pace. They are hard if you are healthy. My coach recommended not going all out and running at a 15K pace. That’s what I did. No sign of soreness or pain. Not even a twinge. It feels perfectly normal.
Since then, I have played tennis and I ran 5 miles last night.
Did I dream this injury??
Tennis Elbow
Another strange injury. It’s hurt for about a month. I stopped playing tennis for 3 weeks and then played once. My elbow wasn’t improving. It wasn’t worse but it hurt all the time. So I tried to just ignore it. I even pulled weeds over the weekend.
Then Tuesday, I realized that the pain had completely disappeared. No soreness at all.
I played tennis that evening – no pain.
WTH!?
Next Half Marathon
Half #19 is almost here. The only thing I am worried about is the weather.


It will be chilly in the morning, I bet – 30’s but then warm up.

I will definitely wear a skirt and compression socks but I may be switching from the tank. I definitely will have a throw away shirt and arm sleeves.

I know the route and it is very HILLY. Too late now to train on hills!
I ran this course in 2011 and finished in 2:22:39. Last month I ran a hilly half marathon & finished in 2:22:40. So my guess is that I will finish between 2:15 and 2:30.
NO GOALS!! Just want to enjoy the race and not get injured!!!
Speed Work instead of Half Marathon Training
I have decided not to train for my next half marathon. (Do as I say not as I do…)
My weekends are too filled up with races.
- 4-30-16 – Spring Run Off 10K
- 5-01-16 – Cherry Blossom 5k
- 5-07-16 – Mastodon Challenge 15k
- 5-08-16 – Mother’s Day 5K (for GOTR)
- 5-12-16 – Albany Law Day 5k Against Domestic Violence
- 5-14-16 – Summer 5k Addiction Awareness Run
- 5-18-16 to 5-25-16 – TENNIS VACATION IN FLORIDA
- 5-29-16 – Vermont City Marathon Relay
- 6-04-16 – Freihofer’s Run for Women 5k
- 6-12-16 – Run for Help 5k (for STEM)
I am going on vacation. Weekend boating season is starting.
No time for long runs.
Hopefully my legs will not forget in 5 weeks how to complete 13.1 miles.

can’t wait for fun in the sun
I’ve never run a half (healthy) without all my long runs. So we’ll see if I stick to this new plan?
Happy Running! Have you ever had mysterious injuries? Do you always do your long runs before a big race? What’s on your mind today?



































































