More planless running

 I am continue to run without a plan.  I am going to make some type of plan for the new year.  Rough plan is to run a couple half marathons then the St George Marathon in the fall.  There are some actual races popping up but I am staying out of any kind of crowds for now.  I know too many people who got COVID and have been careful and have no idea where they got it from.

I had an email from St. Louis Senior Olympics.  It is 6 months from the planned 2021 Olympics Memorial weekend.  In 2020 it was postponed from Memorial weekend to Labor Day weekend then was cancelled completely.  I think that they are being overly optimistic with a Memorial Day event.  The fall is more realistic.  I do plan on competing.

Today Jim and I went to Sherman Beach.  He tweaked his knee again so we are running on flat until it is feeling better.  My foot is feeling great.

Black Friday

 Catching up on my blog:

Wednesday I planned to run.  It rained most of the day.  I dressed for a run but did not find a time between rain showers to run.  40 degrees and rain is not fun so I ran inside on the treadmill.  I don't use the treadmill enough to be completely confident.  I picture myself sliding off the back and ending up on an episode of "America's Funniest Home Videos".  I did get in a workout.

Yesterday was Thanksgiving.  We met Jen and John and Willow at Castlewood State Park and took a nice hike.  Then they came back to our house to eat.  They have friends that have been staying with them a couple weeks who also came.  Since we have know a few people who have been very careful and still got COVID and the COVID rates in St. Louis are extremely high, we had ours guests eat outside.  Jen and John have had students in the classroom so are nervous about exposure to the virus.  We ate early so they could get home for Willow's nap.  I wanted to go for a late afternoon run but Jim ate too much.

Today is black Friday.  I did not shop.  I will do most of my shopping on line.  Jim and I took a nice easy run on the Al Foster Trail.  Jim's knee is still bothering him so he doesn't want to do hills.  I ran negative splits.  They were slow negative splits.  Jim ran 3 miles then walked because his knee hurt.

Hot Hands

 Today is was 40 degrees.  Not exactly cold but I couldn't wait to try my new running mittens.  I ran 5 easy miles in the subdivision.  My hands were hot.  The mittens were too warm for today but will be great for cold weather runs.

Rainy Day

 It was a cool rainy day but we got a 5 mile run in between rain showers.  When we got to Sherman Beach Jim said he felt  rain.  I told him we needed to run fast before it rained harder.  We did not get very wet.

More Slow Running

 Right now I do not have plan.  There are lots of virtual races.  I don't see the point in paying to run a "race" by myself when I can ran for free any day.  There are a few in person races.  Most of them are in St. Charles County or Jefferson County. St. Louis is much stricter on covid restrictions.  The in person races have so many restrictions that they don't sound like much fun.  I have decided to just run for myself until this COVID thing is better.  

Today Jim and I went to Sherman Beach and ran 6 miles on the Stinging Nettle loops.  It was a beautiful day for running in shorts.  It was successful run - we did six miles of dirt trails and neither of us fell.

Foot report - my foot is much, much better.  I would say 99%.  

Being beat by a 5 year old

 Yesterday I ran 5 easy miles from Sherman Beach down the Al Foster Trail.  At one point I passed and woman and little girl.  They were staying on their side of the trail and I was on mine.  The mother was holding the little girl's hand.  When I passed them the little girl let go and sprinted past me.  She was really fast.  She ran for about 20 yards then stopped abruptly to wait for her mother.  I told her she was really good at running.

Running in trails

 Jim and I are back to running on trails.  Today it was in the high 40s - perfect for capris and a long sleeve shirt.  We were about 4 miles into the five mile run and I am thinking this is a great run when Jim tripped over a root and fell splat.  He said a choice 4 letter word but seemed fine.

More Running

 Jim and I ran on Monday and Tuesday.  We are back on dirt trails.  Easy, flat dirt trails but dirt trails.  My foot has been doing okay on the trails.  It is slowly getting back to normal.  Yesterday's run was one of those that I was glad I had on black shorts - no details needed.

More Easy Running

 Yesterday Jim and I went for another easy run.  My foot continues to get better but I am not going to push the speed or distance until it is 100%.  Jim's knee is better and he ran 5.4 miles.  He has been turning around at the 2 mile point lately.

Today we took a hike.  We parked at Sherman Beach and walked the Stinging Nettle Trail toward Castlewood.  We took the little trail that leads over to Castlewood.  It washed out in the spring.  There is a big gulley.  Someone has fixed ropes on either side so you can lower yourself down and then back up the other side.  We turned around at that point.  Here is a picture.

More running in shorts

 Today was another beautiful day in the 70s.  A great day for running in shorts.  I ran 5.4 miles easy on the Al Foster Trail.  I still feel tightness in my foot if I am on uneven terrain; therefore, I am staying on flat trails for a while.  Jim went with me but turned around at mile 2 because his knee was hurting.

50 days until Christmas

57 days until 2021

331 days until the St. George Marathon

I am hoping that by fall of 2021 racing is back to normal.  I saw that the Boston Marathon for 2021 has been moved from April to a fall date if they determine that it can be run.

Running in Shorts

 Today the temperature was in the low 70s.  It was a beautiful day to run in shorts.  Jim went with me and we ran show and easy on the Al Foster Trail.  My foot is still tight and Jim's knee is still bothering him so we kept it slow.

Running with Jen and Willow

 Today we watched Willow.  Jen worked from our house.  When she was done working she wanted to go for a run.  We went to Sherman Beach.  Jen was pushing Willow in the stroller.  Jen runs faster than me but pushing a stroller slows her down a little bit.  We had to stop because Willow's hands were cold.  We put them in her pockets and ran on.  Then we stopped to look at a really cool spider.  It was a nice run.

Rock Hollow

 Today it raining again.  But it finally quit long enough to get in a late afternoon run.  Since it has been raining a few days I though the trail may be muddy so I went to the paved Rock Hollow Trail.  I did a walk run since I have not been running much.  My foot is not 100% but it is pretty good.  Jim went with me and ran about 2 miles but had to walk because his knee started hurting.  It was 45 degrees and breezy.

Golds Gym

 I have a gym in my basement.  It consists of an elliptical trainer, a treadmill (compliments of my slug sister), a recumbent bike, kettle bells, a couple weights and a yoga mat.  Yesterday was 40 degrees and raining so I worked out in my basement gym.  Today was also cold and rainy so I worked out in the basement again.  It is supposed to rain again tomorrow but I am hoping it will be done in time for me to run outside.

I'm Back

 I have been on vacation in Utah for over two weeks.  I'm back.

Here is the update on my foot.  It has slowly gotten better.  I did not run while on vacation but did a lot of hiking.  Hiking on flat ground was good.  Any time my foot twisted was not good.  However, it has slowly gotten better.  It is about 90%.  It did not stop me from hiking mountains, canyons, trails, and climbing over rocks.

Today we got home and I unpacked then I went for a very short run in the neighborhood.  It was cool enough that I wore capris.  I also wore new shoes - Brooks Glycerin.  The are white so they will show the dirt but they were on sale and the only color left.

Trying to run

 It has been 9 days since I hurt my foot.  Nine days since I have run.  It has been 11 days since Jim hurt his knee and 11 days since he has run.  My foot is still a little swollen and bruised but feels much better.  I decided to try a short run with a 4 minute walk and 1 minute run to see what would happen.  Jim went with me and we went very slow.  My foot felt tight but no worse after a 3 mile walk/run.

A couple days ago my Facebook page came up with a picture from 3 years ago.  It was my slug sister and me at St. George.  St. George race was magical.  Everything went right that day.  Today I wore my St. George shirt.

My foot

 I am beginning to sound like a broken record talking about my foot over and over and over.  Last year it was plantar fasciitis.  It is not nearly as serious but equally frustrating.  I am hoping to be running a another week or two.  It is slowly getting better.  Swelling is way down but it is still bruised and sore.  At least I still have 10 toenails.

Note in the picture that Willow painted my toenails.  She likes to paint toenails and fingernails when she is here.  I cleaned off all the polish that was not on my nails.

A little better

 Every day my foot is a little better.  Today we paddled our kayaks, took an easy hike and a short bike ride.  I can't run but I can do lots of things.

My aching foot

 I did something incredibly stupid.  I wasn't going to admit to it but this is my running blog and I need to tell you why I'm not running.  I hurt my foot.  I wish I could tell you I hurt it during an incredible run.  But I can't.  I was sitting at my computer Tuesday night.  I had my leg curl underneath me.  My foot fell asleep.  I got up and stepped wrong and my foot collapsed under me and I fell hard.  I immediately felt pain.  Each foot has 26 bones 30 joints and over 100 tendons and ligaments.  I was sure I broke many bones and tore all the ligaments.  I went to bed and did not sleep worrying about not being able to run or even walk.  The next morning I was in pain.  I was watching Willow then we were leaving to go camping.  No time for doctors.  I used lots of ice and hobbled around.  My foot was swollen and many colors.  Each day it has gotten a little better. The swelling is down and I can walk without grimacing.  It is far from normal but I think it will be okay.  Looking forward to running again but being cautious and letting it heal.

Zombie Trail

 On Sunday when Jim and I ran he fell and scraped up his arm.  He also bumped his knee.  He has been complaining about his knee ever since.  Today he did not want to run because of his knee.  I went to Sherman Beach and ran to the Zombie Trail and up the hill then back for a total of 7 miles.  It was a nice 62 degree day.

Today I wore an old pair of Champion shorts that were on the bottom of my shorts pile.  They are oldies but goodies.  I wore my official Boston Marathon Qualifier shirt.  It is really cool because it is meaningful but it is not the most comfortable.  The fabric does not breath well.  I should save it to wear with jeans and not for running.

Crazy Runners

 Today Jim and I went to Sherman Beach.  We were running the Stinging Nettle Loop and connector trails.  Jim caught his toe on a root and went down hard.  He usually falls gracefully, rolls and springs back up.  This time he went splat.  There was blood on his hand, elbow, knee and forearm.  We ran some more then he wanted to go home.  We had a discussion.  He wanted to give me the keys to the car and he was going to walk home.  I insisted that he take the car and I would walk/run home.  Then I said that we would both go home I and would run the subdivision to get in a couple more miles.  He said that I should stay and run the trails.   In the end I ran off so he took the car and I ran some more trails then headed home on the road.  I have always seen people running on St. Paul and thought they were crazy.  Today I was one of those crazy runners on St. Paul.  I was careful and made it home just fine.  The hill up St. Paul is a challenge.

Today's running outfit - black Nike.

Easy Saturday

Today was an easy run on the Stinging Nettle Trail.  The trails are more crowded on weekends. The county has kept the trails well maintained.  I previous years the weeds grew so much in the summer that we were bushwhacking our way through the Stinging Nettle.  This year the trail weeds are cut back so there is a 5 foot wide path.  I think that because of COVID they are keeping the trails wide so there is room to pass.

Today's running outfit - bright green!

No Races

Due to COVID 19 there are not many real races.  There are virtual races but not real races.  Wildwood put out in their newsletter that they were going to have a real race on October 30 - the Shivering Shadows 7K.  I was ready to sign up but when I went to sign up they had cancelled it due to COVID.  Right now the Wildwood Trail Marathon is on but subject to cancellation.  I don't want to waste my time and money signing up for a race that will probably be cancelled.  So I just run for fun.

Today I took Willow to the zoo.  It was a nice 6 mile walk.

Zombie East

Today was a beautiful day for running.  We started at Sherman Beach and ran down to the Rock Hollow Trail then we ran up Rock Hollow and ran the east side of the dirt trails.  It made a nice 7.5 mile run.  There are lots of hills on the trail but they are all runnable.  Staying with an easy 4/1 run/walk.

Today I wore a pair of Brooks Shorts that were buried at the bottom of my shorts pile.  I really like them.  The fabric and fit are comfortable.  I also wore my West County Spine and Joint t-shirt.

Finally Fall Weather

 We have had some nice fall weather lately.  It is great for running.  Today we ran from Sherman Beach to the Zombie West Trail, up Zombie West which is dirt then down the Rock Hollow (Zombie) Trail.  It was a total of 7.6 miles.  All my miles have been very slow.  I have enjoyed running for the fun of running and not worrying about pace.  Someday I will sign up for a race then I will have to think about training.  Right not I am just running to keep some level of fitness.

Global Trail Running Day

 Today is Global Trail Running Day not to be confused with Global Running Day which is in June.  Therefore, we had to do a trail run.  Yesterday Jim and I went to the store and I talked Jim into buying some new trail running shoes.  He was complaining that the rocks hurt his feet.  He actually tried on several pairs and settled on some Asics which he thought felt good.

Today we ran from Sherman Beach toward the Stinging Nettle Loop.  We crossed back and forth on the trail connectors to get 7 easy miles.  The weather was beautiful.  I wore a short sleeved t-shirt.

Chubb Trail

I have been wanting to go to the Chubb Trail for a long time.  Today Jim and I went to the trail head near Lone Elk Park.  The trail head downs a hill then it flattens out.  We decided to leave the Chubb and do the Castlewood Loop which is on the other side of the Meramec River than the main part of the park.  Many parts of that loop were mowed grass.  We should have sprayed for bugs.  After getting home we took showers hopefully to wash off and ticks and chiggers.  We will go back another day to run the entire length of the Chubb. It was a nice run.

Today I wore an Athleta brand tank.  I like it because it fits my long torso and the fabric is comfortable.  I also wore a pair of Nike shorts.  These earn a place in my running gear drawer.

Castlewood

 Today Jim and I went to Castlewood and ran the Skippo course with one modification.  It was a little cooler today than it has been.  We have been enjoying running trail nice and slow.  At one point I thought I was going to fall.  I caught my toe on a rock and was flying through the air with arms and legs flailing.  Somehow I landed on my feet.  Jim was not so lucky.  He took a tumble.  Jim is good at falling.  I think it is from years of playing football.  He is able to roll and spring back up.  I usually go splat.

It is doubtful whether there will be a Skippo race this year.  They have not obtained permits.  I have done this race so many times that I have a stack of shirts to prove it.  

Today's running outfit -my favorite Nike shorts and a Nike tank.

Drag a toe, down you go

 Today's run was from Sherman Beach to the Bluff View Trail.  Being Sunday there were a lot of bikers on the trail so we had to move off the trail for them to pass.  About 5 miles into the run I caught my toe on a root and went down.  I fell flat but caught myself with my hands and ended up with a little scrape on my palm.  

Today I work some light blue Nike shorts that I seldom wear.  I like them but usually prefer darker colors for shorts for a variety of reasons.

Short Run

 Today I had Willow so I did a short 3 mile run after Jen picked her up and before dinner.  It is still very humid here.  The only good thing about running in the summer is that I don't have to think about what to wear.  I just grab shorts and a tank and am ready to go.  When the weather gets colder I have to think about what layers to wear.

Today I wore some shorts and a tank I have not worn this season.  The shorts will be washed and sent to Goodwill.  I don't like the fit or the color.  The tank only reason to keep the tank is because it is the only yellow one I have and sometimes you just want to wear yellow.

Running Clothes

 There is not such thing as too many running clothes; however, there is such a thing a running out of room in your dresser to store running clothes.  I decided that if I have not worn something this season it's time to donate it.  So I dug through my clothes and found things I had not worn.  There was a pair of Brook shorts in blue with green stripes and an Under Armor green tank.  

Jim went with me and started at Sherman Beach and ran down the Al Foster then up Zombie West back down through the connector then up Zombie East and down the connector.  It was a slow, fun 6.6 miles.  We have been enjoying  trails lately.  It was in the low 80s but humid.  We brought our water shoes and cooled off in the river afterward.

I really liked the shorts.  They are a little longer than the Nike shorts I usually wear but were very comfortable.  They dried quickly after soaking in the river.  I also liked the tank.  It was cool and comfortable.  They both earned a place back in the drawer.

Right now I am not trying to train or run speed.  I am just trying to maintain some fitness.

Willow Wednesday

 I have my adorable Granddaughter on Wednesdays.  I do not get out for a run but do play, run, jump, and march around a lot.  She keeps me active and busy.  Of course I wear running shoes to keep up with her.

Cross Training

 I have been running every other day.  The alternate days I walk, bike or hike.  Today I did something I had not done in a decade - I played golf.  We have friends that invited us to play.  She promised she was a beginner.  We played on a little par 3 course and didn't even keep score.  I really had fun.  I did better than I thought I would.  I did wear running shoes for this event although there was no running involved.  We did walk carrying a heavy bag of clubs.  Hot and humid here today.

390 Days

 It has been 17 months since I have posted my running blog.  I am not going to try to catch you up on everything that happened the last 17 months but here is a short summary:

I ran the 2019 Boston Marathon with a bad case of plantar fasciitis.  It was painful but it was fantastic.  Boston was a great experience.  After Boston I rested a little then ran a 5K because it was put on by Wildwood and my slug sister came to run with me.  Then I ran in the Senior Olympics - ouch.  Not smart.  After that I went to the podiatrist and had shockwave treatments which worked miracles.  After resting for weeks and very gradually getting back, I was running again in the fall.  It was wonderful to run without pain.  I closed out 2019 with the Skippo 10K.  

2020 started with the Wildwood Frozen Feet Half Marathon in January, then the Castlewood Cup in February.  I was feeling good and looking forward to my year of running.  Then the pandemic hit and everything stopped.  Races were cancelled.  They even closed some parks for a while.  I kept running every other day.  

You may wonder why my blog title is 390 days.  It is One year and 25 days (390 days) until the 2021 St. George Marathon.  I am going to run this with my favorite running friend.  I have been such a slug lately that it will take a lot of training to get into form but I have 390 days to do it.  I have been running regularly but slowly.  

Today's run was 6.25 miles of trails.  It was hot and humid.  Jim has been running with me.  On hot days we have been taking a dip in the Meramec River when we are done.  It really cools us off.