That crazy running thing we do...

I really wasn't kidding when I said I tore up my foot with the new shoes on Sunday. I told K earlier that it looks like a burn - it's now a medium size distinctly red patch on the inside of my left foot. Pus or some kind of fluid has oozed out occasionally, and it seems like there's still a little more fluid in there.

I was really looking forward to doing a short, easy run today in this cooler weather, especially when I found out that Sadie, who has been dealing with her own injury issues over the past couple of months, was up for a run today as well. I met Sadie for the first time when I joined the Performance Project with Mac last fall. I had just ran Chicago and immediately jumped into training for Austin...not the best idea after training intensely for over a year. I was initially intimidated about joining the "fast club" as I call it (with K as president), but Sadie really welcomed me into the group and I have enjoyed getting to know her and run with her since then. So, I was excited about the chance to run with her again today.

But, a run wasn't in the cards for me today. I was able to get my OLD running shoes on, but it hurt too much when I tried to run for a few steps. So, no run today. Hopefully, I can try again in a day or two when it has healed more.

We had the privilege of hearing Dick Beardsley speak tonight, thanks to Team Spiridon and Conley Sports. He shared stories from a couple of his first few marathons, including his 1981 win at Grandma's. It was a unique opportunity to hear one of the best U.S. marathoners speak about running and his life.
As usual, I've been thinking a lot about what's next in terms of my running. The reality of marathon training seems more realistic now that my lower leg pain has been, dare I say, eliminated. With November right around the corner, I feel like it's too late to play catch up with training for Austin in February. I know I can run the half there if I want, but running another half isn't my goal. So, I think we are now looking at running a late Spring marathon, possibly Big Sur in CA at the end of April. It's described as a "moderately difficult" course due to some hills, but I'm not trying to BQ there. It seems like a beautiful course along the Pacific. Rogue training begins on Nov. 10.

I've been hesitant to announce this publicly because of my failure to follow through with my previous goal of doing the DC (and running the Austin marathon). But, goal-setting is an ongoing process that evolves. I'm not quitting on my goal to run another marathon (or eventually to BQ), but I am also taking a realistic appraisal of where I am right now. And, this is where I am today...