I will skip the truisms about planning and how it often doesn’t work out. Suffice it to say, I made my training plans and am now in the process of making revisions.
At the beginning of October I ran 26 miles of the Gold Country 34 mile run. While this was a less-than-ideal DNF, I was not discouraged. I planned to ease back into running, build up my strength and speed a bit, then ramp up the distance again heading into 2011. Instead, I went for an easy 3 mile run and found my left foot was not happy about it. The attachment point for the peroneus tendons was inflamed and aching. Not wanting to be one of those runners who refuses to listen to their body, I took a couple weeks off. Then I did another easy 3 mile run. It was still aggravated.
So, now I find myself five weeks out from my race and still not running. I’m disappointed to say the least, but I’m still trying to stay positive. I’ve elected to focus instead on strength training; if my back-body is having issues I’ll just work to build it up as much as I can. Â Thankfully we’re heading into Fall and Winter. The days are getting shorter and the mornings aren’t just chilly this week, they are downright cold. Mother Nature is trying to be encouraging as I stay indoors and count my push-ups.
Out of necessity I’ve adjusted my long distance plans. I’d originally hoped to build back up to another 50k attempt in late Winter/early Spring. With this setback though I’m tabling that idea and am determined to have a short-term focus on lower mileage with strength, speed, and injury prevention. Once I’m more comfortable with that base I will transition to a mileage ramp-up and be ready to face the longer distances once more. I will not be denied!
As we all do at these times, I’m trying to find the silver lining in a cloud of mild injury. Here’s hoping I can remain focused and upbeat through the days ahead. The slow, slow days where I can only get where I’m going by…walking. 
