Tonight I was able to complete my second full run of four miles each since the infamous ankle twist.  The first run a few days back was quite an eye opener.  I did the full loop but found myself stopping to walk several times because my heart rate monitor was peaking way up above my aerobic zone and I could tell I couldnt keep the pace.  The run today I was able to maintain my pace throughout though my heartrate stayed up in the anaerobic zone more than 3/4 of the time.  I usually avoid running in this zone because im more interested in gaining stamina than speed but today I was more interested in the accomplishment of finishing than anything else.

On both runs my heart rate was pegged for most of both runs and my pacing was god awful.  I firmly believe, now moreso, that getting into shape is much harder than maintaining fitness.  I could do my entire 4 mile run without ever having my heart rate over 80% of max and at a pace of eight minutes a mile or under.   Now my longest time in the 80% zone has been 9 minutes and my pace is hovering around 10 minutes.  How I long for the glory days.

This weekend I definitely plan on breaking out the Raleigh and hitting the road for the first time in quite a while. If I dont pick up the pace I’ll be in poor shape for my first Livestrong Challenge ride in September.  Even though its a ways away I know from when I did the Ride for the Roses, the better and longer the training the more enjoyable the ride.

I got an email that I feel would be good to pass along.

If you’re looking for training information to help you prepare for the LIVESTRONG Challenge, take a look at our new Training Tips (http://www.kintera.org/TR.asp?ID=M716967189047337628765665) page online! You’ll find downloadable schedules for all distances and ability levels, safety and training tips, and more.

This is similar to Chris Carmichael’s training tips from last year that I posted a while back on this blog. I think these tips and schedules combined with those from last year will serve only to help train for the Livestrong Challenge.

So this week I attempted to play in a soccer game for the first time since blowing out my ankle last month.  Suffice it to say it was both a good time and a bad idea.  I started the game playing fairly gingerly and quickly realized that turning and cutting was going to be an issue.  As long as the path was straight I was running like I always have but every turn was another opportunity to practice my limp.

There was one shot at the end of the first half which was the worst but had to be done.  The ball was bouncing down the field straight to me with a few seconds to go.  Even as it was coming I knew it was a bad idea to take the shot the way i had to but it was too tempting and time was winding down.  Hence i caught the ball mid air on my left foot (injured ankle) with a pretty good shot but ended up landing on the left as well which left me on the ground again.  No lasting damage but still not fun.

There was no swelling or lasting damage the next day, just a bit sore and tender. There’s a week and a half between games so Im guessing it will all shake out.

I recieved notification in my email day reminding me that Wednesday is Livestrong Day to benefit the Lance Armstrong Foundation so i wanted to pass on the email to everyone.

Wednesday, May 17, is LIVESTRONG Day!

The Lance Armstrong Foundation will lead a group of advocates from each state to raise awareness on Capitol Hill about the issues faced by the 10 million Americans affected by cancer.

Volunteers across the country will also host LIVESTRONG Day activities in their local communities in support of people affected by cancer.

Wherever you are, you can make a difference in the fight against cancer. Here are several ways to participate on LIVESTRONG Day:

1. Wear yellow and encourage your family, friends, neighbors and colleagues to do the same. Official LIVESTRONG clothing and merchandise may be purchased online in the LIVESTRONG Store.
2. Participate in a LIVESTRONG Day event or activity near you.
3. Send an e-card to your family, friends, neighbors or colleagues and encourage them to join the team in the fight against cancer.
4. Take part in a virtual LIVESTRONG Day activity - Blog Against Cancer.
5. Send a message to your members of Congress and encourage them to make cancer a national priority.

Together, we can affect positive change in the fight against cancer.
LIVESTRONG^TM
Lance Armstrong Foundation
www.livestrong.org

© Lance Armstrong Foundation :: P.O. Box 161150 :: Austin, TX 78716-1150

For the first time in a month I actually got out jogging on my ankle.  I normally do a four mile loop but had to stop after two yesterday.  The bottom of my foot was aching and tightening up and I could feel a little twinge if I hit an unlevel piece of sidewalk, but overall it was good to be outside again.  I probably played it a bit too safe and waited longer than needed to get back on it but oh well.  There’s no residual aches or pains from the run yesterday which i also take as a good sign.  I think ill probably do two more short runs before Monday to help build it back up.  The new soccer season starts up on Monday and I’ll be basing my participation upon how my ankle feels after a quick run on Sunday.  If it gives me any issues or I feel any after effects on Monday, Ill sit out yet again but i dont feel like Ill have to.

The suprising thing I found on my run was just how quickly my fitness level seems to have dropped.  It has been over a month but I didnt expect my heart rate monitor to go off when going downhill on my first block.  If I hear a chirp from it its usually after my first mile to mile and a half and because im starting to go too fast.  Yesterday I had it going off within minutes.  Hopefully I’ll bounce back from that pretty soon and be back to improving my level rather than working to get back to the same level.