As I expected, this past week was going to wreak havoc with my training schedule. But despite that, the week actually had a couple of high points:
Mon/Tue/Wed 11/19-21: Nothing. Truly beyond my control. On Monday I turned 56, and if I could have had a more miserable birthday, I can't imagine how. Not whining, just saying.
Thurs 11/22: As noted elsewhere, I did the local Turkey Trot 5K. First ever barefoot race, and I bested my old 5K (shod) time by a little more than 2 minutes. I'm still sort of stunned by this. Best part is that my wife joined me for her first-ever race, also barefoot. Best. Thanksgiving. Ever.
Friday 11/23: 32 miles indoor spinning, just to loosen up some stiffness in the right calf from the previous day's race
Saturday 11/24: 7.2 miles barefoot run, incl 1 mile warmup walk, then 6.2 miles at training pace. Felt remarkably good considering the low training volume over the past two weeks. Cold, clear morning, and both my feet and legs felt in great shape, just a bit of lingering calf soreness. Great run, followed up by a yoga class w my favorite instructor.
The coming week should allow a return to a more normal training schedule. The takeaway for me this week was Thursday's race: I wanted to see how I would do under race conditions, since I'd previously (as in, pre-barefoot) signed up for a half-marathon in January. I know that there's a huge diff between 5K and 13.1 miles, but, based on how I felt before, during, and after the race, and how my post-race run went, I think I can build up to the necessary mileage between now and race day, and be ready to run my first half-mar barefoot. Besides, if I don't make that race, I won't get to meet Rick W!
