This week begins the building of my mileage to prep for my full marathon training plan, the Pfitz 18/55 (18 weeks, building to 55 miles per week). The requirements ti begin the full training plan state: able to run 25 miles per week and can comfortably run close to 12 mile long run. I can do both of these, but while I wait for June for my plan to start I want to build by mileage base so that I’m closer to the starting mileage of the full training week 1 mileage, which in the first week is 34 miles. I don’t want to make a jump from 25 to 34 immediately. Instead I would like to increase my weekly mileage gradually.

As a part of preparing for the full training I also wanted to get my gait re-evaluated. I wanted to see if there was any new insight with going to a different place for evaluation, also just in case there have been changes in brands/models that I should consider. Friday we went for an analysis and new shoes. I received the same report as my last gait analysis. I slightly over pronate, but my left foot is a late stage over pronation. Result: I can stay in my existing Mizuno Wave Alchemy 8s. However, they did say I could try out Wave Nirvana and Wave Creation. My previous analysis had recommended the Wave Inspire and that didn’t work well for me and I ended up back in Alchemys. Since I knew Alchemys work I figured this is a time to test out another model and see if I get any improvements. I guess I always hope for magic fairy dust to be implanted in a new pair of shoes. You know the saying “If it ain’t broke don’t Ef with it?”. Yeah I should have taken that advice. The store where I got the analysis done didn’t have the size I needed so I ended up back at our local store. I got the Wave Creations and they fit like a glove. I ran 4 miles total (2 Friday, 2 Saturday) to start breaking them in for my 9 mile long run. Nothing to report on these short runs, all felt normal. Then Sunday morning came with knee pain and stiff arches. I knew exactly the culprit. Thanks to a great return/exchange policy I swapped my Creations for new Alchemys and put my trusty Super Feet Berry Insoles in. I had to ice my kneed and take Aleve. My long run was now a gamble. I settled on the treadmill and taking it easy so that I could save my run. Afterward I did a 13 minute ice bath to help speed up any healing. All feels slightly better so hopefully no major set back was made. I’ll keep an eye on things and just take it easy if needed.

Also on Friday I had a feeling like something was in my eye, I thought I had it resolved, but then later my eye got red and irritated. It hasn’t improved so if it’s not better tomorrow I’ll get it checked out.

Weekly Data:
M: 2 Miles Easy Run (Treadmill, 1% incline, 7:58 pace), Abs, Arms and Shoulders
T: 5 Miles Tempo Run (Treadmill, 1% incline, 8:38 pace)
W: Rest
R: 4 Miles Easy Run (Treadmill, 1% incline, 8:34 pace)
F: 2 Miles Easy Run (Treadmill, 1% incline, 8:02 pace)
Sa: 2 Miles Easy Run (‘Hood, Windy: 30-35mph, 9:12 pace), Abs
Su: 9 Miles Long Run (Treadmill, 1% incline, 9:01 pace)

Total Miles: 24