Hello! I’m checking today with my weekly recap, which includes a lot less running than in the past…which is a bummer! But I’m working through Achilles tendinitis. It’s getting better, but lower mileage and slower paces for now.
Here’s how this past week went:
Monday: No running, as I ran four days in a row before this; have to be careful with this Achilles injury!
I did do a virtual 1:1 strength training session with Discover Strength after work. I started a new workout “card” and it was tough! My abs were sore for a few days, which is a great feeling.
Tuesday: 7.3 miles before work with my ‘quarantine’ running friends, 9:30 min/mile. The Achilles was at about a 2/10, with 10 being the worst pain I’ve had with it.
Later that morning, I actually went to an appointment with an actual podiatrist at Twin Cities Orthopedics, Dr. Langer.
He did x-rays, had me walk barefoot on this sensor/computer thing to analyze my gait, and then did his own evaluation of the Achilles. He essentially confirmed that I’m doing all the right things and recommend I continue with 1-2 more shockwave treatments and PT.
Another recommendation of his was to vary my shoes; he suggested something like a Hoka while I’m injured. I actually had started wearing Hokas when we first were sheltering-in-place, and I thought they were part of the reason for the injury! But he really didn’t seem to think so, so I decided to start wearing my Hokas again!
Wednesday: I snuck out between meetings for 5 miles, 9:20 min/mile pace. It was great to get some sunshine. Have to savor what’s left of summer!
I did another virtual 1:1 strength training with a Discover Strength trainer after work.
Thursday: 7.6 miles before work with a few friends, 9:30 min/mile
Friday: I had an early morning EWST (shockwave) treatment. Oh man, it HURT this time; he told me he cranked up the intensity.
But then it felt amazing afterwards!
The treatment was with a new practitioner (for me), and he recommended that I do a short run after the treatment. I squeezed in a quick 4 miler with Ruth at lunch, 9:05 min/mile.
Then, we took the afternoon off of work to head up to Itasca for one last camping weekend while the weather was still nice! Camping is also a relatively ‘safe’ activity with friends too, so our two friends met us there.
Saturday: We had the most glorious fall day: sunny, 60 degrees, just perfect.
We did a ton of hiking- our friend’s FitBit said we covered 11 miles!
Itasca State Park is the location of the headwaters of the Mississippi, which is a popular attraction for visitors.
After a full day of hiking, my friend Sarah and I ran 4.3 miles together along a paved beautiful trail in the park. It was so nice to run with her- I hadn’t run with her since before the pandemic!
Sunday: We packed up camp to head home, but stopped for one last hike. Another beautiful fall day in northern Minnesota!
Summary: Just 29 miles of running, 2 strength training sessions, lots of hiking!
Overall a low-key week fitness wise, but a memorable weekend with friends in the great outdoors.
We’ve camped more during the pandemic than ever before! Our trips to Bhutan and Patagonia in 2020 were cancelled, which was still a bummer, but weekend getaways have helped keep things interesting. And the dogs definitely love it!
In race news, I saw this list of races posted by Run4PR’s this week, which is a helpful look at some ideas for races that are currently still on the schedule. I’m definitely looking forward to seeing this list grow as organizers figure out a safe way to move forward.
I’m linking up with Running on the Fly and Confessions of a Mother Runner Check it out below:
Yep, my Prairie State Half Marathon is on your list!!!
“Just” 29 miles is pretty sweet. More than I normally run! You’re doing great.
Interesting! I hope it happens!
It is looking very fall like there! Glad to hear that your treatment is going well and that you are still able to keep up your mileage. Feel good this week!
Thanks Deborah!
Oh my goodness I bet your pups are loving all of the camping trips! Our dog is happy with a regular walk but she’s in heaven when we go hiking. There was an in person race in my area this weekend and it looked really good. Everyone was spaced out on the start line and I am optimistic that my October races will be in person (though totally prepared for the “abundance of caution” cancellation email). It sounds like the healing is going well, and of course always gotta love it when the recommendation for right after treatment is to… Read more »
Haha, right? “Go for a run!” My kind of advice 🙂
I am glad to hear about the in- person race in your area and that it seemed safe. Fingers crossed on your October races!
Look at the fall colors in some of those pictures! Your achilles doesn’t seem to be slowing you down much. Glad the podiatrist thinks you’re on track too.
I see the Richmond Marathon is on that list, but it’s a do-it-yourself thing now. You can run the course on any of those days using their app.
The colors were already much more vibrant just a few hours north!
Good to know about Richmond, that list might be outdated a bit.
Ok it’s SO weird to see my hometown on the not cancelled race list! Haha!
Glad to hear your achilles continues to heal. Your hikes and camping trips look so beautiful!
Thanks Marcia!
I’ve had the Good Life Halfsy (11/1 in Lincoln NE) on my radar for several years.I was considering doing it before the stress fracture was a reality. I doubt I’d be able to run 13.1 miles on my recovering foot that soon. I’m pretty sure my endurance wouldn’t be a problem, but the foot might not appreciate it LOL All of your hiking sounds so fun!
I wouldn’t put your foot through that so soon! November 1 is closer than you think!
“Just” 29 miles made me giggle slightly, too. I’m doing another marathon week this week and that’s enough for me! Well done on your commitment to capturing your life experiences with running, getting a photo on the treatment couch! And I love your hiking photos. It’s supposed to be sunny and warm here until tomorrow but it’s just super super misty right now!
It’s all relative!
Haha, it was sneaky to take a pic on the treatment table. I should have just asked for a better picture of the tool itself.
Glad those treatments seem to be helping! 29 miles is still great, especially with all that hiking! I saw that list of races and its nice to see so many places are trying to make it happen. There’s nothing close to Maryland though. To be honest, I think I want to see how some of these races play out before jumping into one. Hopefully next spring they will be a more common occurrence!
It was a lot of time on feet with all the hiking!
Agree about next spring!
I wouldn’t be surprised if some of those races end up canceled, but good luck!
All the hiking sounds so fun. 🙂 The camping, not so much, LOL! I’d need a cottage. The park I stopped at last week does have cottages (who knew?) but sadly no pets allowed. 🙁
Sounds like the Achilles is slowly doing its thing and you’re doing all the right things.
Well, I’m not planning to attend all those races, haha! just sharing in case anyone else was! My achilles is not in racing condition 🙂
I’m glad that your achilles tendinitis is feeling better. Sorry that the shockwave therapy was painful but it seems like it’s helping so that’s a good thing!
Wow, that’s a great list for in-person races. I didn’t think that many in-person races would be available right now, but as long as they can keep the numbers low and take a lot of precautions, I’m sure the races will be great, especially for those runners that are really missing racing right now, especially in the Fall!
Yes, I’m fine with some pain if it works!
That’s great that you’re recovering so well from your injury and that you’re able to be so active during the process. Keep up the good work!
Your hikes look and sound wonderful!
Staying active helps! The hikes were great!
Oh man, I had Achilles tendinitis back in 2016 and it was no fun. I had to take 6 weeks off of running but I maintained cardio with biking. I never tried the shock wave treatments- those sound intense! I just did lots of yoga, PT and stretching. Now whenever it starts to feel stiff again I go back to hot yoga and make sure i focus stretching on my calves. I hope yours heals up soon so you can get back to regular training!
That park looks so pretty!
Good to know about your experience, thank you for sharing. I need some hot yoga! I swear, I never got injured back when I was a lot more of a yogi!
I hope the Hoka’s help! Your treatment sounds so uncomfortable but I do hope it works.
I love all your camping and hiking trips. So much fun and I am super jealous of your gorgeous fall foliage.
It was incredible how much more fall foliage there was just a few hours north! Minneapolis will be in peak season soon.
I had no idea there are that many races still scheduled to take place. Wow!
I am glad your treatment is going well. Pretty soon you will be running all of those “crazy” miles again.
It might be awhile until I’m back to high mileage!
It is a bit unfair to show those Hokas in a top-down view. You really ought to show them in profile to adequately communicate their monstrosity.
Glad you are seeing improvement with the Achilles – I love that 29 miles is a cutback week for you.
Good point about the Hokas. They are a BIG shoe 🙂
[…] rented it Thursday to Sunday and invited us to come along, as the boat sleeps up to 10 people. Last weekend, we were at the headwaters of the Mississippi camping at Itasca; this weekend, we slept on the river for three […]