Allez, Allez

Well, it was NOT another of those typical frozen February weeks for training these past few days. Michigan winter training was replaced by some running in France this past week. While long pants were still required for early morning runs, there were no freezing temperatures in Celsius OR Farenheit. Fun runs all on the streets of Bordeaux and Nimes and on the shores of the Mediterranean in Nice but maybe the very best was in the French countryside near Fontenay Le Comte on a beautiful morning with Jen Fracassi while visiting her mother Charlene and Jen's four delightful and welcoming children Katie, Gabi, Joey and Ellie (who gave me a drawing). They are Americans there for the school year and they're finding the cultural differences a fascinating learning experience.

Back to a frigid 20 mile run here at Kensington yesterday carrying an extra five pounds from the past week's fabulous cuisine. So worth it.

Depths of Winter

So, another week of winter training. Repeated snowfalls, but again and again the guys and gals at Kensington Metropark keep sweeping off the snow almost as soon as it falls to keep the trail as safe as possible for us. Nothing remarkable really for the past week as I attempt to catch up to the training schedule after starting this training cycle later than usual and with the Paris Marathon earlier than usual. The swimming on my two off days is still feeling good.

Fortunately, there have been still no significant injury issues to date and a nineteen mile run today felt surprisingly easy. The knees were nearly painfree today. The next two weeks will be more challenging in terms of getting in the daily runs as we leave for France next Thursday night for eight days. What will running in 30 degree warmer weather feel like anyway? A preview of April in Paris!

Winter Training -Footprints In The Snow

With the left knee still sore at the holidays, it was time to determine if a spring marathon was going to be a possibility or just a nice thought. That is to say, I felt like I needed to start the training cycle and see if upping the mileage would make it better or worse. At the same time, I met with Clarice Brown, Chris's old boss, the physical therapist who had made my first custom orthotics four years ago for a new pair. After nearly five thousand miles my old ones have definitely given me admirable service.

Mostly, so far, so good. So, on the horizon is the Eiffel Tower-- the Paris Marathon is the goal on April 10th. I'm a few weeks behind my usual training plan, but we'll see.

It's bitter in these parts. 4 below zero for the run this morning with sticky, then icing eyelashes that actually started to limit my visibility toward the end of the run.

Joining a fitness center three weeks ago, I have been heading over there on the mornings of the two off-running days of the week, mostly for the swimming which is still a struggle, but hopefully improving slowly.

On another optimistic note, the days are getting longer and we're all getting more Vit D. Yeay!