June 23 Update: Beaches, Directions and Speed Bumps

Ok, quick update here... I told you I was going to attempt to travel from my home to the beach in Porter County on foot, hopefully on the trot, and yesterday that small goal was met.  Never before in my life have I gone so far in one outing, and, I must say, I was pretty pleased with myself.  Just under 17 miles from front door to the shore.  I didn't set any land speed records - I hit the sand in a little less than 3 hours - but, I did it.  The first twelve miles were pretty steady and not too bad.  The last five were more of a challenge.

A few lessons were learned along the way: 1) sunscreen should be applied everywhere (even the little hard to reach spot just under your shoulders near your back), 2) write down the directions given to you (especially when they are provided by your wife!) before setting out on a long run, and 3) the Xavier Rudd cover of "No Woman No Cry" is a great tune.

Not only are many of you paying for the run in pledges, but you'll be happy to know that I am paying for the run today too.  I am sore and my niggling calf injury has flared up.  I have a great training staff at VU so I am sure they will keep me upright and mobile, but I do fear I will be forced into some shorter, slower outings for a few days while the calf sorts itself out.  Injury is part of athletics, as we all know, and the key to healing is a positive outlook... so I will choose to view this as merely a speed bump rather than a road block.  I now have great excuse for a massage, so it isn't all bad!

Gotta run (walk, limp, crawl),

Mike