January 30th,  Monday,  p.m.

Celebrating a joyful jaunt on the beach !!!!

Running on the St. Augustine beach has always inspired me. The venue has no equal in my running experience.  As I glide along the tightly packed sand, all my senses are engaged.  The surf hums a soft tune.  The air smells salty as it gently embraces my face.  The wide, flat, endless expanse of the beach stretches endlessly in both directions. The blue sky and late afternoon sun complete the visual.  The smooth, firm sand is easy on my legs.  The 58* moist air is refreshing. I could run for miles and not encounter a single obsticle. I am rarely more immersed in the moment.

So today I had my first  beach run.   Given the anxiety I have been experiencing recently because of some core aches and pains,  my goal today was to move for one hour.  I had not run for six days because of these issues and the drive to Florida.  I walked and jogged alternatively for the whole effort.  I experienced no discomfort in my upper thigh, groin area or abdomen.  I have been taking ibuprofen three times a day for the last two days and I plan on continuing for a few more days. This is intended to treat inflammation in the muscles that I believe is causing my problems. It is my hypothesis that the exercises, both leg and core, I have been doing for the last few months have exerted unsustainable stress on the muscles in the area of my recent (3 years ago) hernia surgery.  I hope I am right.            That is the current state of my training.   Regular posts and stats resume tomorrow.