After taking several weeks off from running to let my calf muscle recuperate, I am once again out running. Over the last 12 days I have ran 5 different times, and unfortunately gained about 5 pounds. I started out with a 3 mile run, then 4, then 5, then 6 miles, and yesterday I ran about 10.5 miles on the Shoreline Trail with my son Josh. Today I feel quite good, I was a little stiff first thing this morning but after just a few minutes I felt great. So far all of my runs have gone well. I did get a bit of a knot in my right calf on the long run yesterday, but I'm not to concerned as this is not the calf that had the tear.
I am confident enough with where I am right now that I entered the "Speedgoat 50K" that will be held July 30th at Snowbird Ski Resort. This race is billed as "The Toughest 50K in the United States". although 31 miles doesn't sound much further than a marathon, this 50K has 11,693' of elevation gain and the same amount in descent. It is also at high altitude with all of the race above 7600' and most of the race about 9200'. This will be a very tough race but will involve a great deal of hiking in addition to running. Hiking has always been one of my strong suits and I'm optimistic that I will be okay with this type of a race at this stage. I obviously will not be breaking any records but am optimistic that I won't come in last place.
Over the next several weeks I will get at least 2 or 3 mountain runs in a week and beginning this coming week I will be running a minimum of 4 times a week and will quickly be at 5 times a week until later in July when I will taper down prior to the race. I am holding my breath that my calf will continue to get better and stronger each day and that I will be in prime condition heading into the Speedgoat 50K. Time will tell.
