I think I'm Back!

Officially I will say that it took seven weeks for me to "come back" after the Leadville 100. Seven full weeks. It was not until last weekend and earlier this week that my runs started feeling faster and I've even been lifting again and that is even feeling good too.

Seven weeks.

I didn't just sit still all that time either. I kept trying get going but I never could find a rhythm, a pace, or anything that felt decent. I could have a nice run one day and the next would just blow. All my joints hurt most of the time... even my hands. It was sort of like having a flu for a long time. All of the aches and pains also made me contemplate and sort of consider the fact that maybe I am feeling like crap because I am older? Maybe...

But things are better now. A good week of running. Some impressive times (for me) and I am feeling great. I feel more solid and intact. I know that is a weird way to describe it but that is how I feel.

Running in the new New Balance MT101's for two weeks now and for the most part I really like them. My only complaint is that they seem to be a touch larger than my MT100's fit-wise. I might go down a half a size and see how they work. Regardless it is nice to be running in a shoe that let's ME run the way my body wants to run (mid-forefoot strike) as opposed to all of the other shoes and stuff over the years that didn't work with me or for me.

I'll never go to barefoot running or wear those damn VFF's... but I am really digging this minimalist shoe design. Now if they could only make them in GTX.

Fall running is turning out to be fun. Two races down in the fall series so far. I am running a part of the AT next week in MD and when I come back I am running a 5K with Melissa. She has been working really hard for this one and I am excited to run it with her and take pictures. Then the day after that is race three of the fall series for me.

Right now my goals are to increase speed, increase strength, and god willing, drop a few pounds in the process. Short term, that looks like a sub 6:30 mile and being able to bench 225 again. Weight... I don't know... If I lost 8 lbs I'd be happy.

So really all in all, things are good. :)

More Goals...

I was talking to Melissa tonight about the "concept" of moving out of Colorado. We both pretty much agreed there would be too many things here that we would miss. The conversation reminded me of a time a few years ago where I seriously considered moving out of state. This was in 2006. As I contemplated that move, even then I knew that if I did it, I would NEVER get to do the Leadville 100.

It took me four years to get there but I finally did it this year. Even then in 2006 it seemed like an impossible goal, yet I eventually got there and it happened this year...

So past what I talked about last night... I am still kicking around the big "what's next?"

I have three ideas now... three more big goals... One is already in the cooker which is the San Juan Solstice next year. The other two... they could very well be a ways off yet. But on the bright side... both of those races are in Colorado as well.

It's nice to have something bigger on the horizon to look forward too, plot and scheme... my plans will be more clear come the first week of February. :)