Am I Getting Too Old?

I will say this about Vegas - near perfect running weather for 8-9 months of the year. Last night took off for a near 4 miler. Perfect conditions. 53 degrees according to Weather Channel no rain - as if? It is Vegas baby. Shorts, long sleeve T was all I needed. However, the next AM?

This morning I woke up feeling less than stellar. Groggy doesn't come close. Very tired. Legs felt fatigued as well and felt a slight twinge of something in my left Achilles area. Only once though and it has been fine since. Overall as noon time has come and gone - really fatigued. Need to find a better time of day to run. I have typically been a weeknight runner and early AM Saturday. Living in Vegas when the temps can get caliente hot above 105 or even 110 in the Summer. Late or very early AM runs are a must. So, it can be a daily schedule tug a war so to speak.

More importantly the run itself was good. I have typical ankle pain in both feet after .5 miles. It will always subside walking it off for a few 100 feet and then back running. Why it happens with every run now is a mystery? I do a pre-run stretch that works my calves, Achilles, feet and ankles. Then I spend time working over my Ham's. So, stretching is out. Shoes are out. This is my third pair now I have tried in the last 6 months. Lucky me I now have three pairs of hardly broken in shoes from Brooks Beast, Brooks Glycerin (sp) and now NB 1032's. I like all three, but I think my favorite shoes in the past were Saucony. Not sure why but I cannot find newer Saucony's that are as good for my feet. I am sure they make them, but I just have not found them. Anyway, my body is beat up and I am getting old. Arthritis, muscle/scar tissues from past injuries not healed properly all adds up by the time you are 42.

Taking today off from running hopefully rest what ails me and work on a better time of day for my next run. It will be another mid range distance for me at this point 4-5 miler. Saturday AM I will try and work in a 7-8 miler, my long run for the week. 3-4 runs a week training schedule at this point. 2 mid rangers, one very short run (with my boys) and a long run. Give that schedule a month and then evaluate things. I am hoping to be beyond 13.1 distance by the first Sunday in May for OC Half. Which could put me on track for the Rock and Roll in Seattle barring injuries. Will see on the latter run. I still think that is pushing things. However, Precor buddy training has kept me Cardio fit to step right into this. Just hoping to loose 10-15 pounds along the way to make it easier on my body. Will see, but that is the goal for now. OC Half first of May, and possibly a full end of June in Seattle.