Logging the miles....

Taking a break from the half marathon training for a section hike :-)  And Becky's first backpacking trip.  I needed to fill in a section north of Damascus to Damascus, VA - 25 miles in all.

We had gorgeous weather on our first day!  We climbed Whitetop Mountain and enjoyed breathtaking views!  If that isn't how you hook someone as a new hiker carrying 25 lbs I don't know what is.

After cresting Whitetop Mtn we started our downhill - and followed the white blazes painted on rocks when there were no trees.

We hiked a bit over 8 miles on day one and had a very uneventful evening :-)  Lasagna for dinner and no animal visitors.  We did start packing up in the rain tho, but once we set out for our longest day the rain held off.  We came across this gorgeous forest that was different that the rest of the forest we hiked through.

Our hike did bring us up to the VA Creeper Trail that we shared for about 1/2 mile.  We found a dry(ish) area to sit (on the creeper bridge) for a snack.  Little did we know as we continued on the Trail we passed 3 or 4 benches :-).  No wonder we got funny looks from the cyclists.

Becky tried to hitchhike - but didn't get any takers.  I think she was just looking for someone to carry her pack :-)

As we closed in on our second day we had three climbs - up and downs with no breaks.  But we walked the ridgeline, which is my FAVORITE!!  

We are walking on the very top of the mountain and the mountain falls away on each side.  On the way down we stopped to take a break and it started to sprinkle on us.  It only rains when we stop :-)  We'll take it.   A few more miles and we set up camp between the AT, the Creeper Trail and a river.  Listening to the river was very peaceful but we never considered that we had no privacy for bathroom business LOL.  We had to wait for the sun to go down and beat the sun coming up :-) But Monday we set out on our last day - heading to the car parking in Damascus.

We met up with the Creeper Trail again and followed the white blazes that were painted on telephone poles for the longest mile into town.  

And of course the obligatory final picture - be thankful you can't smell us!! That pink shirt I was wearing had to go through the wash twice!!!

So, now it is back to normal and back to the running schedule.  

I have to say that when I read the advice to run 6 days a week and work out the mileage so you don't go more than 10% a week I was sceptical, but we ran Saturday 4.1 miles and I didn't have any problems with my shin splints.  I think I've turned the corner.  

So, a few weeks left to focus on running until I hit the trail again.

4 more months...

It has been a while since my last post - I wasn't sure I would keep running.  My shin splints are still there - and I actually told Becky I was done.  But, she said - you can walk the half marathon if you want or walk the first half and run the second half..... well - when you put it like that!!!  So, basically she wouldn't let me quit.  Plus there is the nice metal at the end of the race - which of course is already paid for, and the cabin.... so.....

So, I started doing research.  I have done all the research on how to treat shin splits, how to prevent shin splints, how to not get shin splints, exercises to prevent shin splints.  I mean I am basically a walking encyclopedia for shin splints.  If anyone wants to know ANYTHING about them - you come to me.  But, I found a triathlon forum with people suffering like me.  One of the participants had shin splints for a YEAR!!  Lord help me!  He recommended running 6 days a week and being strict with how much you run and how fast you add mileage.  So, I went to the middle of August and worked my way back decreasing my mileage by 10% every week.  So, the plan is to run 3 days a week at 1/3rd of the long run, 2 days at 2/3rd of the long run, and then the long run.

So, last week was my first week - 3 miles was my long run and I ran 3 days at 1 mile and 2 days at 2 days.  I also found KT tape and wrapped my shins.  I have never gotten "better" from the shin splints - but they aren't getting any worse - so I figured that was good.  It was actually kind of nice just knowing I had a mile to run. I have been starting to conquer the hills on the short days and work on speed.

This week my long run will be 3.3 miles, 2.2 miles 2 days a week, and 1.1 mile 3 days a week.  Today I did the 2.2 miles by myself - uphill both ways - and had an average pace of 11.06/mile.  I'll take it :-)  I have 4 months to the day! until the half marathon and will be diligent about the runs and being careful with the mileage.  After each run I have a series of PT stretches and exercises that take about 15 minutes, but the guy on the forum said that when he was consistent with all of it - the mileage, the stretches, and the exercises he noticed improvement.

I'll let you know.

The hiker and runner clash

My first love is hiking.  I am slowly but surely section hiking the Appalachian Trail.  I am about 540 miles (2186 total give or take), so I still have some mileage to go. Last year I broke my leg and sprained my ankle and that put me out of the game after only getting 72 miles last year.  This year I am ready!!  I have been doing the PT exercises to strengthen my hips and working on my cardio all year at the gym and of course weights - bring on spring!!!

For non hikers - I plan my hikes with AWOL's AT Guide.  It shows the elevation, parking, shelters, water sources, etc.  So I know from the elevation if I can do 15 miles that day or maybe even 19.  Then of course I have to arrange a shuttle.  I park my car where I am going to finish my hike and get a shuttle to drop me off at the start, then I just hike back to my car.  I don't have to worry about anyone else's time schedule to pick me up or if I finish early I am not having to wait or reschedule my shuttle.  So, I have 3 hikes coming up this year that I am planning, hopefully 160-180 miles if I can swing it.  My first hike is with Becky, her first overnight backpacking trip.  It is only 23 miles - I got snowed out last year and have to fill in the gap.  So we can go at a speed comfortable for her and take our time over a long weekend.

The section section will be with my youngest son - his first backpacking trip as well.  We are going to attempt 50 miles over 5 days and the terrain is not bad at all so I think we should be able to get that finished.  

Now, I was planning to do 70-80 miles around Labor Day.  That would put me a good way up the trail :-)  But, that is right before the half marathon.  I sent Becky a message - easy miles - 75ish miles before the half marathon - good?  Nope - she nixed that.  Apparently I need to push that back until after the race so I "save my legs".  So, I guess I will just take a week in the fall and enjoy the VA foliage.

Today we ran 3.6 miles in my new shoes.  I got Asics Nimbus shoes to replace my Altras.  Everyone I talked to said to change your shoes when you suffer from shin splints so I am praying this does the trick.  We are doing 5 miles Saturday so I should have a good idea after that run.