So after the marathon, my two main pre-marathon injuries blossomed into epic proportions. ITBS, the main condition I was worried about, ended up subsiding within about 2 months or so. Plantar Fasciitis, on the other hand, hasn't. I can still feel the injury when I stretch my foot in certain ways. That, then, was the excuse I had to not run. 3 months after finishing the marathon though, I'm just too antsy to not run anymore. Plantar or no, I decided that I better get started again.

Did 3 sets of mid-distance intervals today and stepped off the treadmilly lightheaded after 12 minutes (alternating 2 minute jog at 10 minutes per mile, 1.5 minute fast pace at 6:40 per mile). Another set of bench presses and I was seeing spots and barely had enough oxygen to relax my muscles. Out of shape and time to call it a day!

But having finished the marathon, I know it's just a matter of discipline to whip myself into shape again. I know I can run 26.2 and I'm pretty sure the next time I run a marathon I could push 30 if I really wanted to. (50 is the eventual goal) but for now I want to actually work on speed, greater endurance, and proper running. I've always hated running very very quickly: I find it so much more painful than the slow calculated endurance of a marathon. It's as if you compressed the slight pains of the marathons into a much shorter time. Sure you're only running say 5 minutes (for a 1500, let's say) but it seems just as long as the 3-4 hours it takes to run a good marathon. To qualify for the Boston Marathon though (my eventual goal), I'll have to run consistent 6:30s for 26 miles. I've got my work cut out for me!

In the meantime, I'm aiming for a lot of training and a marathon next spring or early summer. Perhaps the San Diego Rock 'n Roll. Hope to drop my mile average into the 9s. 9:30 is the goal but it's ambitious so let's say I'll be happy with anything sub 10. On the other hand, the SD course is much easier than Big Sur. We'll see. Another adventure begins.