Tweak, tweak

I tweaked my right calf while racing on Sunday.  Near-panic ensued.  It was, after all, only two weeks before the long-awaited Colorado Marathon.  I soaked my legs in cold water and swallowed some ibuprofen.  And, waited.  On Monday morning, I walked 3+ miles.  There was soreness but no real pain.  On Tuesday, I did a very slow and very easy one-hour maintenance run.  Again, the calf was a bit sore but not painful.  The near-panic began to ease. Today, I did another one-hour maintenance run--this time not as slow and easy.  And, most of the soreness in my right calf seems to be gone.  Tomorrow is cross training so there's another day of recovery.  I'm hoping that by Friday's one-hour maintenance run I won't even think about my calf. 

There's a tweak in the long-term weather forecast for Ft. Collins.  As of today, Accu-Weather is forecasting warm, sunny conditions for May 6.  Warm as in a high temp of 80 degrees.  Close to 50 at 6:15 when the marathon starts.  That is not optimal.  I am hoping for a starting temp closer to 45 and a temp no warmer than 60 at the finish.  But, it's early yet.  The forecast will change several times between now and May 6. 

Here's more dog bites man news: http://news.runnersworld.com/2012/04/22/keitany-and-kipsang-triumph-in-london/
The Kenyans dominated the London Marathon.  Who knew?  Wilson Kipsang convincingly won the men's title with a 2:04:44--over 2 minutes ahead of his closest rival.   Fellow Kenyan Mary Keitany won the women's race in 2:18:37--the third fastest women's time in history.  They have to be the favorites to win Olympic Gold three months from now in--where else?--London. 

Here's a bittersweet news item from the London Marathon: http://worldnews.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2012/04/24/11366341-runner-who-died-in-london-marathon-inspires-500000-donations?lite 
Thirty-year-old Claire Squires collapsed in the 26th mile of the marathon and died.  An autopsy is being done to determine cause of death.  That's the bitter part.  The sweet part is that Squires was running the marathon for a local charity that works to prevent suicide.  News of her tragic death caused contributions to soar.  At last count, she had raised over $500,000.

Check out the North Face Endurance Challenge updated website here: http://www.thenorthface.com/en_US/endurance-challenge/ 
They now have complete info on all the races in the series including detailed Course Guides.