Snails pace build

For nearly two months I have been slowly building my strength and endurance. I have been at a level of fitness for so long I've forgotten how it feels to be this out of shape. Of course, this is a relative and compared to most I am very fit. It has been nearly 7 years that I've been able to run 7-8 miles without issue any time of the year. I am not there yet, but I am making baby steps.

Run: I am up to 4.5 miles without pain. I am still slow, averaging just under a 9:30 pace for this distance. The important thing is that it is pain free. When I do get pain it is more discomfort rather than PAIN. Part of that discomfort is my feet and ankles re-adapting to the pounding of running. I've forgotten that process. This week I completed the Dover Raid which involved run-walk in snow, ice, wet trails and pavement for a total of 13 miles. Then I ran 1 mile on the treadmill, 2.8 on road, and a 5k (Marathon Sports Jingle Bell Run). A grand total of nearly 20 miles of running and walking. I've not covered this distance since late January. My foot and medial ankle are a little angry today, but it is tolerable.

Bike: I am riding inside right now. The weather has been icky and cold. I've discovered Paincave bike workouts on line. I am feeling stronger with each week on the bike. I did one spin class and did like it. I plan to go once a week starting this coming Saturday. It will be nice to have some variety to my bike workouts. I am hoping that the weather will hover around 40 with clearish roads. That I can handle. Maybe even some trail riding! I think I need to get in for another bike fitting. There is a chance that some tweaking will help to keep my foot and ankle healthy.

Swim: I am swimming three times a week. I've gradually been building to a mile or so of stroke and free. I've been focusing on form mostly. This week I will begin to add some speed work into the mix. I hope to start going to a Masters class once a week once I'm able to easily swim for 45 min three times a week. The goal is to begin in January. For some strange reason I have fallen in love with Butterfly. I am not sure that my stroke is super pretty, but I am fairly efficient! My ability to feel the water and my movement through it is right on target right now. I have started closing my eyes every now and then to work on feeling the water and swimming in a straight line.

Strength: I am doing a long strength workout twice a week and a core workout once a week. I am feeling stronger each week. I am focusing on hip and core strength, as well as single leg balance and stability.

I have finally gotten back into a rythm of working out. For months when I've been tired I've talked myself out a workout. Part of that was being tired of "having" to do a workout for whatever race it was I was training for. Part of it was being in a new environment and living with Amy. There are more distractions now! I've forced myself to do my workouts regularly in order to get back into shape and get to that point of loving it again. There have been days when I've been tired, but the result is not a crappy workout. Instead, I've felt good and surprised myself!

I am in a good place heading into the Christmas -New Year holiday rush. I've built a solid base for the upcoming season. If I continue to be smart I feel that I will be in a great spot to be bad ass next season.

Possible race schedule 2015: Challenge Family Quassy 70.3, Mass State Oly, Westborough off road with Sun Multisport, Cranberry Oly, and maybe a late season half!