TGIF...

Maybe it is a fluke, or maybe I just scared my ankle into feeling better by making a doctor's appointment to have it officially checked out. Anyway, this morning, my ankle feels pretty good. I decided to wear my brace on it this morning, just in case. I mean, I still 'feel' it, but it has more range of motion. I like that.

Oh, my doctor's appointment is not until Tuesday, March 3rd. I'll take it. I will continue to train and just take it easy and try to be nicer to my ankle as much as possible. And not to jinx myself, but I know dropping some pounds will help...I've been extremely good all week with my new nutrition plan. *fingers crossed* The next step is to make it through the weekend without too many slip ups.

One week till the GW Marathon on Sunday, February 15. My plan is to take it one lap at a time. There are three laps. I plan to start at the main time, which gives me 6 hours to finish. I will be like the tortoise and try to be slow and steady and walk when i need to, etc.

So...I'm dressed in red today, not to kick off Valentine's Day early, but in the school colors in honor of the District wrestling tournament starting this afternoon. Yikes! More red to follow tomorrow for the track meet, too.

The blahs...

It seems that I have the blahs lately. I've been sick since before the cruise, nothing major - just a cold and I am always tired. Then my ankle, which I hurt on Thanksgiving being clumsy getting out of the car (and not even doing anything remotely althetic) is still bothering me. I'm afraid to really have it checked out because I am afraid that something might really be wrong with it. I have all these race plans this year and don't want to have to sit out on any of them! I don't even want to sit out of training. But I am sitting out of training anyway. I've rested the ankle on several occasions. I think the work shoes that I wear most days aren't helping because I keep catching the heel on things and jerking my ankle more. I guess I need to break down and maybe get an x-ray and try to figure things out before it is TOO late. I'd rather bag some early races than IM USA! Ho hum... Time to call my doctor... But on a positive note - I just filled out the registration form for the USMS Colonies Zone Short Course Yards Championship Swim Meet for the 1000. Last year I did the 1650... That is already pretty filled, so... This will be fun - and a little less pressure. I hope! Anyway, I don't have my checkbook handy today, so it will have to go in the mail tomorrow...

On to more fun stuff:

Tomorrow night wrestling districts begins for my older son, who wrestles at 125 lbs. The tournament is between 8 schools and is on Friday and Saturday. He is a senior so this is the start of the end. Wow. He's wrestled for four years in high school - I can't believe this is coming to an end. Again...wow.

Then there is indoor track districts between the same 8 schools. Last night was the first night of indoor track districts - the field events and the 4x800 relays. Saturday morning is the second part - more field events and all the running events - in which my younger son is participating in. He will be running the 1000M.

I'm so excited for them both! Go Atoms!! Now...how to be in two places at once on Saturday? I'm gonig to wrestling on Friday night, then track on Saturay morning. When track is over I will head back to wrestling...That should cover it for the most part.

I'm baaaaack...

...in town, training, and to blogging, of course.

We got back from our fantastic Caribbean cruise vacation for my cousin's wedding on Thursday evening. We were lucky to get an early flight and shorter layover which put us in the DC area 3+ hours ahead of schedule. Whew! That made getting up for work on Friday easier. Once I download some pictures I will post them...

As for training...I did not train once while away. Outside of my 3+ mile walk in Grand Cayman and my woodsy hike in the mountains of Jamaica of course. I guess I consider that additional rest for my left ankle, which I keep annoying. I may have to break down and see someone about it.

Anyway, over the weekend I was scheduled for a 20 mile run on Saturday for the 2/15 marathon, followed by 2 hours of riding on Sunday. Since I had not been running in the past week I ran 15 miles solo on Saturday. It went very well. I nailed my nutrition, I think. I felt pretty good the next day, and went for another 5 miles with Jeff. This was a bit harder - my ankle was a teeny bit sore and I unfortunately stepped in a little pothole and stumbled. That hurt...ARGH!!! Anyway, I feel basically fine today with very little ankle soreness. *fingers crossed* I need to walk very carefully it seems. My everyday shoes do not seem to be helping my ankle, either. I need to find something else...

Saturday was supposed to be the last long run as this coming Saturday is the start of the taper. I might seriously try to go 20 on Saturday...just so I get that full 20 in...I will see how things go. Then come marathon day I will plan to do the entire course (3 loops of varying distance); if I must I will drop out after the second loop for my first DNF... but if I take it nice and slow and work the nutrition ANYthing is possible. :-) I just need to finish while maintaining my balance and sparkle!

Tonight is 'off' per the training schedule. Tomorrow morning is swimming followed by a 30 minute run tomorrow night...Wednesday is speed work at the track. I however need to go to the high school for my older son's wrestling match. It is 'senior night' and he is a senior. Want to catch this event! I think I will do speed work on Thursday and pick up biking (again) over the weekend starting on Sunday then hopefully next week I can begin the weekly Thursday night bike sessions either at home or with TeamZ. That is the plan anyway.