Back in the game...

I have signed up for the 500 festival race officially and filled out the NF Endurance team registration to fundraise for the event. I'm looking forward to getting back into the swing of things as far as training goes.

I am almost fully recovered from a "procedure" at Immediate Care. On Wednesday I underwent a toenail extraction on my left big toe. It was painful enough on Wednesday and Thirsday that I kept on a solid rotation of Extra Strength Tylenol. By Friday I was feeling quite a bit better and could actually wear a shoe!!! As of today there is no pain and the toe is almost completely healed. Back to running tomorrow.

My recipe for December is simple- get ready for the Race to the New Year on Saturday, December 27th. That will be my last race for 2008. I am hoping to come in under the 21:40 mark for 5K. My previous best time was 23:10 from earlier this summer. If I achieve 21:40 or faster then I will be seeded in a better starting position at the Mini. I am not sure how much "fitness" I have lost having only run 3 times in November due to the foot injury and recovery from the October streak. I think I can get the time I want and will be hoping for temps in the 40's with no snow or ice.

The plan for the upcoming week is to ease back into mileage. M-W 2 miles each day, Thurs 3 miles, Fri off, Saturday 5, Sunday 3. That will give me a weekly total of 17 miles. If I am feeling good then I will start to add speed work and longer distance back in to next weeks schedule and try to end the second week of December with 22 miles total. The following week will be more of the same with a weekly total of 26 and wrap up the race week with about 20 miles including the 3.1 for the race.

Tonight I will start back into my core workout routine using two Men's Health exercise posters. The first is the "Marine Corps" workout which features dumb bells and wide range of motion. The second is a medicine ball workout featuring UNC baller Tyler Hansborough. Swiss ball pushups and situps and pullups will also be part of the routine. Should be fun!