I'm doing a good amount of running, and having fun with it. My health seems to be getting a little better. I have very little problems with my Achilles tendons and the soft tissue around them. Those things seem to be OK now. I ran 3.5 miles in 32 minutes tonight, the grass trails in Eastlake. That is going to be basically my home field. I really enjoy running out there. I don't like the pounding on asphalt or concrete. I can't run that way all the time. The other thing I need to keep in mind is that I can run once a week on the treadmill. That saves the stress on my legs.
My knee, the left one, which I believe is probably arthritic, gets cranky sometimes. But I am trying to strengthen the supporting muscles -- quads, etc. -- to take some stress off the knee. I am doing some dips and it seems to be helping.
I've been very involved with running also this spring through my coaching. Working with the WACO kids has been interesting -- a great learning experience. There aren't what I would call many "runners." I have good athletes, even good track athletes. But there aren't many people who might run for a lifetime activity. That's what I'm seeking.
That being said, some things will change next year. I won't be teaching at WACO, this little farm community in southeast Iowa. I will be moving to Columbus High School in Columbus Junction, where I will be teaching a variety of English classes, as well as advising students on production of the school yearbook and having the kids write some articles for the Columbus Gazette, town newspaper. It will be a good experience. In addition, I will be coaching middle school cross country. I am so pumped about it. They have a good cross country tradition. Last year, 17 kids ran middle school cross country.
This is a good change for me.
