Back outside - finally!

I ran outside yesterday and today for the first time since my birthday (Jan 3). My heel felt good for my 5 mile run yesterday and the 4 miles today. The sky opened up during my run today, but I was not discoraged. I was just thankful to run outside without pain.

I will set my sites on another Gasparilla event, perhaps the 1/2 marathon.

Treadmill Miles

I've been running on the treadmill the last few day's with my achilles brace. So far my runs have been pain-free and I've been running 8 minute miles on the machine. It's definately not like running outside, but better than the eliptical and stair machine. I think I'll take a test run outside later this week to see how my heel feels.

The brace I have provides good support and I'll make sure to quit running at any sign of pain. I sure don't want to extend the duration of this injury. Can't wait to get back outside.

Staying motivated while injured...

I've been going into the gym at lunch, switching between the stairs and the elliptical. I'm not very fond of either device, but I need to do something and they don't hurt my heel. Everyday, I see the usually runners and long to be outside enjoying the mild winter weather in Tampa. I've been passing time in the gym by listening to Khaled Hosseini's Kite Runner. The book is interesting so far and has received many good reviews.

I also received an achilles support brace in the mail today. I couldn't find one at the local Sports Authority so I ordered one online. I'm not sure if it will help me to run pain free, but I will give it a try when I feel ready. When I last tweaked my heel (January 3), I decided not to run until February, but I don't know how much more I can take without running. If my heel is feeling a bit better next week I may put my new brace on and go for a jog.

No running but still heading to the gym daily

The good news is that my heel seems to be ok with the stair machine in the gym, the bad news is that my achilles screams everytime I jog. I won't try to run on it again until February which means Gasparilla is a lost cause, but I'm trying to stay possitive.

I saw that the new Garmin Forerunner 205 and 305 were announced at CES. I can't wait for the buzz to wear off a bit (prices drop). I'm motivated to get back on the road, even if my first marathon won't happen as planned.