Well I can remember running last year on Halloween. This year bit of pain. Did four mile run tonight and kept the pace under 8 min miles. Bit of a wind tonight but warm enough to wear shorts which is always nice. Temperature was 15C(59F) with a 31km/h wind from the south. My running path is an East to West out and back so I wasn’t really running into the wind. Ran my 4 miles in 31:34 min for a pace of 7:53 minute miles. The shins both hurt tonight, have to make sure I keep stretching them when I’m not running, lots of ice, elevation and wrapping.

Well it was 3C (37.4F) for my run and when you stop running for that 30 min walk home, let me tell you you freeze! Legs didn’t seem good when I started out but they loosened up real well. This run was to be a test to see if I could get through 10 miles and have shins still intact… Guess what, legs are good (sore but good).
Keeping the pace above 8 min mile and below 9 min mile seems to be good for recovery at the moment and allowing me to push up the mileage week after week. Ran a 10 mile run tonight in 1:27:54 for a pace of 8:47 min miles.

Well glad tonights run was a short one. My legs took forever to loosen up and the weather was that to warm to dress right up and to cold to be comfortable not all dressed up. Did a three mile run tonight under cloudy sky with clear breaks. That Halloween sky with the wind and leaves blowing around. The run took me along my usual short path down Stonechurch up to Upper Paradise and back.

Ran the three miles in 25:24 for a pace of 8:28 min miles. My shins feel pretty beat up, we’ll see how they feel for the long run this weekend.

Well another crisp night, wore running pants tonight although it was same temp as yesterday 8C. Before I forget to write it, saw shooting star tonight. This was a beautiful night to run, fresh air and it wasn’t to late. Thing is I needed the mileage to make up for the beer I’m drinking now

Well ran 6 miles which was 1 more than I had planned for. Did that in 45:35 for a pace of 8:15 min miles. The shin didn’t feel as bad tonight. Just need to keep the pace just above 8 min and I seem to be able to get by.  Three mile run tomorrow and see what we have in me this weekend for the long run.

Well tonight is a bit crisper 8C(46F), still wearing shorts though. The main problem with running at night in the fall is visibility is poor and on a night like tonight where we had rain there are wet slippery leaves along the way. I ran along Stonechurch moving between sidewalk, gravel and road. Ran 3 miles in 26:16 for a pace of 8:38 min miles. Shin is still bothering me but no where near as bad as it was. Keep icing, taking the Advil and giving my shinds deep tisssue massages. Can’t wait for disney!

Man I’m really stressing my shin. It starts to feel good part way through the week and then these long run days just kill me. Will ice and do the full RICE routine. The compression really seems to help. Slowing down my pace has helped quite a bit. Today I was supposed to run a 9 mile but I just didn’t want to push that left shin to far (I might have). We’ll have to wait an see how it’s coming along. I’m going to hit the gym and see if I can strengthen and stretch it. Also do some swimming and see if that helps. Today did 7 miles in 58:25 for a pace of 8:21 min miles. Tried to avoid hills as well so ran a very different path. Will try the soft track for my long runs over the next couple weeks.

Well another run along the lake at 17C(62.6F) with a breeze coming off the water, perfect for running. Tonight is a 4 mile run and I’m still and will most likely be for a while teatering on the verge of shin splints. I have no choice, I have to push ahead and just adjust pace accordingly and do all the right things to make sure it doesn’t get to that point. Good stretching before and after, Ice, elevation when possible, wrapping the area and deep tissue massages. Did the 4 miles in 32:33 for a pace of 8:08 minute miles which isn’t bad considering. Tomorrow is a 3 miler and this weekend need to get a 9 miler in. That will be the decider I think. Stay tuned!!!

Well there are 88 days left before marathon weekend. Yoopie. My training is off an on. It would be on 100% if I didn’t still have these nags, sore shins etc. Need to book my flight and I hate the though of the tickets, race already booked etc and being injured. I’ve slowed my pace down a bit and am doing  more stretches through the day hoping it’s just that. I’m going to be going with my friend Paul Preston who I introduced to running last year after he came down to watch me run the Disney Marathon last year. He just did his first half marathon this past weekend in Toronto and is roaring and ready for the Disney Half this winter. Baring any further injury 88 days from now we’ll be in the heat (better be warm), the sun (better be sunny) and at the starting line (my legs better hold out!). If you came across my blog because you are searching for articles on the marathon weekend and you’ll be there also drop me a message or comment on this blog. disney@sergegingras.com

Had to take a few extra days off to rest up the left shin, nice ball lower left shin (shin splints again). Anyhow went out for a 3 miler at a slower pace. Going to keep the pace slower for the next 3-4 weeks to work past this and to avoid further unjury. I absolutly can’t afford another major injury or Disney just won’t happen. Anyhow the weather tonight was 10C(50F) with little clouds and little breeze, perfect for running. Ran in Shorts and longsleves. Did 3 miles in 26:47 for a pace of 8:56 minute miles. Didn’t feel like I was doing much by way of cardio but could really feel my shins on the edge. Ice and rest when not running.

Well 9C should say it all. It was drizzling when I headed out but it pretty much stopped right away. Was cold compared to last week and beginning of this week. I still wore a pair of shorts with long sleve shirt. Legs were warm but upper body was very cold, especialy when I was finished. Did a 4 mile run tonight in 32:07 for a pace of 8:02 minute miles. Shins were quite sore for that last mile. Did some good stretches after and lots of icing. Well see how they feel tomorrow. This is only week two after all!!!