I ran eight miles for this weekend’s “long run.” I designed this half marathon training plan with two long run maximum distances of 10 miles. I believe in not running beyond 10 miles in a single training segment when gearing up for a half marathon race distance. This weekend was supposed to be the first of the two 10-milers.

Two weekends ago, May 17, I ran 8 miles at the park, right on as planned. However, it was the first time running with hills in about 13 weeks. This run was challenging, a warm afternoon, and even with stopping a few times to stretch, my left Achilles acted up in the days following. I essentially took a week off of running. I took slow walks on lunch breaks and skipped the tippy-toe moves in hot yoga.

The following weekend, the long run was replaced with a long hike up north. Being Memorial Day weekend, to avoid traffic congestion and the highway turning into a parking lot, we left the house at 5 am, planned to hike, and head home the same day. We hiked the Jordan Valley Pathway, a loop supposedly 18.00 miles. For some reason, I was certain we should go counter-clockwise. This elevation chart shows clockwise may have been easier. My watch recorded 2,884 ft in climbs.

The views weren’t particularly stunning and the overlooks were few, mostly obscured by the foliage. The 9-mile-long run was replaced by 19.6 miles. This took a total time of 7 hours 42 minutes. The watch had us with a moving time of 6.5 hours. The good parts – there were fewer ticks and it felt like good “training” for the hikes we are planning this summer out west. I had only one little blister and I am overdue for a new pair of hiking boots.

In the days following, I felt a little knee pain, particularly when going down the stairs. I began leg lifts and skipped all runs. I eased back into running exactly 7 days later. I ran gentle runs this week at slower paces (~30 seconds/mile slower than prior to the Achilles flare up) and that is OK. The point was to get through the run without any added injury or problems.

With all the hikes we have planned for vacation this summer, we may do a few more local area hikes. I’d like to get a hiking pole(s) to try out. Remember, nothing new on race day – so similarly, I want to try the hiking poles at home on a training hike. I’m saying no to hikes that have potential to have me miss a week of running again.

After Friday afternoon’s long run, we read our books at the park and ordered take out authentic Italian food for dinner. This week’s schedule includes hot yoga, a “speed” workout, two “easy” run distances, and another long run of 8 miles.