Slowly going back to normal around here. Kids went back to school last Thursday for pretty much a normal schedule. They leave fifteen minutes earlier but otherwise it’s the same routine. I start working weekdays tomorrow and will begin run commuting again. These commutes, although short, really boosted my fitness last fall so I’m looking forward to cranking up the easy miles. 

The Arc of Attrition 100 is in 21 weeks, the last weekend in January. I’m hoping to get a solid training regimen started after this week. I’ve procured a stout but do able training plan via Uphill Athlete that I’m hoping to execute. My main focus will be the strength work and the long runs. I’m planning to take time off work in order to do it right. Too many times I’ve attempted to run Sundays, or around family, and it just has never worked. I feel pressured to be back or feel guilty about missing family time. I know my boss will let me take a random (or consistent) weekday off to train. I already work 6 days a week anyway and it’s not like it isn’t work related since I work at a running store! 

I’ve figured out some hilly routes that will enable me to get in the required vertical and miles, and also a solid enough hill for muscular endurance workouts. So I’m excited get it started hoping I can execute it appropriately.

My feet are still bothering me. Second toe on my right foot and around the navicular on my left (upper inside above the arch). I can run on these things but they are there, I just wish they’d go away. Fortunately it’s time to build a monster aerobic base so easy running it is. Both feet feel like they need a good stretch, so I’ve been trying to just get them mobile. 

So life is feeling a bit more normal, things seem to be smoothing out a bit, so let’s hope it stays that way.