It’s been a month of ups and downs.

After RTB, my running has been really unfocused. I’ve managed to log a few miles here and there, but nothing really consistent or on a schedule, and I’ve had some really bad days with my PF-affected foot, and honestly, that whole thing has been getting me down.

But then there are the good days. Like Saturday, when Maureen and I ran a very informal 5K trail race in Millennium Park, and then tacked on another 5K after that. It was a beautiful fall day and a perfect run.

The weekend before, instead of running, Jillie and I hiked Mt Tecumseh, the lowest of the 4000-footers in New Hampshire’s White Mountains. While I was out of hiking shape and it was slow going, we had a great time just talking and climbing, and the dogs did, too. I posted a few pictures of the hike on Flickr. Jillie and I hope to get out again before the snow comes, and then there’s our weekend trip to Maine in November where I know we’ll see some good hiking if the weather cooperates.

Overall though, I’ve been feeling kind of down. Work has been very busy and while that’s great, I’ve been a little tired. There’s the PF, and the result of that, which is not being able to run the races I wanted to, like the Bay State Half, and even Tufts, which is tomorrow. My foot hurt today, but not bad enough to make me take Aleve or ice it. I’m wearing my splint now while I sit on the sofa and write this. *sigh*

I don’t know. Maybe this pain is just something I am going to have to live with. I feel as if I am doing everything I can to make it stop, but even 2 weeks off from running hasn’t really helped. I am stretching like crazy, trying to make sure I’m wearing the right shoes, and trying to wear my night splint when I can, even though it’s really difficult to sleep with it on.

But on the plus side, I’m off tomorrow and I have plans to take my bike out for a trip down to Westwood/Medfield/Dover, or something. Maybe that will cheer me up. If not, there’s always cake. :)