Ever heard anyone say not to leave your best run on the trail/road? Well after a hardish run on Monday, then another harder than I would have liked run last night, I now have the perfect excuse concern that I will not be fully recovered by the Hot Chocolate Race on Saturday. Let me introduce you to my fast friend, Susan D. from the Frankfort Running Club. Yes, this is the same Susan D. who did the guest post on the Monster Dash yesterday. Let’s hope she doesn’t block me as spammer isn’t tired of me after so much interaction in one week! 
Sometimes your partner is feeling good and well, you aren’t. The “plan” was for a slow, easy pace but Susan was ready to RUN! I tried to inconsipuously drop some rocks in her shoes to weigh her down remind her of the pace. I also tried to throw a harness around her shoulders and let her drag me a hint by running a couple of steps behind her…… but alas, when a girl has fast feet, it is time to fly! I just hope some of that speed and bounce rubbed off on me as I prepare for race day! If not, then I will TOTALLY blame her know to go at it easier before the next race!
We ran west on Old Plank Trail. This is by far the trail that I run the most so I am very familiar with it. I love this trail because it is very long, straight and flat. If you are a non-ultra runner, then you mostly likely won’t run out of trail over the course of one run. If you are a biker/triathlete then this is a good trail for you up to about the 1/2 Iron distance (round trip), then after that you will need to make some laps or maybe just go home cuz you’re crazy. Even though its flat, it is still beautiful and generally has decent tree cover from the sun on those warm weather days. Here are a few photos of our journey.
Thanks Susan for getting out there with me and making it happen. Now please excuse me while I tend to my recovery. 
5.05 miles – 47:14 – several stops for photos, road/car crossing stop x2
“Run”way Fashion – RunningSkirts.com RunLove Fleurs Triathlon Skirt – photo below is of the RunLove Fleurs print but my skirt doesn’t have the capri pants underneath. 
2011 Sunburst Races (Notre Dame) 1/2 Marathon A4 shirt – I’ve received several A4 shirts this year and the ones that are women’s specific fit and feel really nice! “Under the Skirt”, cuz you’re dying to know, is the SkirtSports.com Hipster Briefs. As for my recovery, Blue Moon Pumpkin Ale & CEP Compression calf sleeves. LOVE the CEP sleeves! I haven’t tried the full socks due to the Plantar Fasciitis issues and not wanting my heels compressed but I really love the sleeves. I wear them around the house, sleep in them, wear them to work, etc. Great product and since they aren’t “socks” I don’t worry about constantly washing them. After the success I’ve had with the compression calf sleeves and the compression 3/4 tights, I would probably consider investing in a full length pair of compression tights for year round continuous, non-stop wear winter.
P.S…..after a night of sleeping in the CEP sleeves, I’m feeling good! So let’s race!
Who’s racing this weekend? Where?
Cheers, Amanda – TooTallFritz
TooTallFritz 
Once again I find myself looking for a new blog post from tootallfritz. great post, and Susan is sonic! I love it, keep up the writing!! -too short healy 🙂
She was really great! And she didn’t seem miffed at all about all of my, “hey, stop so I can grab a photo” moments! LOL!
I’m running the Palos Park Turkey Trot 5K on Saturday! Good luck at Hot Chocolate!
Thanks, Good Luck to you too, Maggie! Are you doing the Running For Kicks 4 miler on Thanksgiving day too? Sign up if you are going to be in town!
amanda that looks like a nice place for the kind of walking i do. i basically walk to my mailbox then down to the pond, back to the mailbox, back to the pond and then home. takes about 45 minutes. includes the times i stop to dance to the music.
Lots of walkers on the trail….with and without dogs!
Ah-ha, you have discovered that everyone running together at the same pace are not training at the same intensity! It took me a long time, but eventually I got to a point that when my comrades were pushing the pace and my training schedule did not dictate it, I just dropped-back.
Regarding the compression socks, full compression would be great for plantar. I have been working on healing it in the L-foot for past 3-weeks and closing in on 4th. Actually, treatment for plantar resorts to “supporting” the arch, which compression socks would do, as well as promote greater circulation to the injured plantar. In fact C3Fit makes both short-socks and full-compression with built-in arch support. They are made in Japan and they had reps at Chicago Marathon Expo. Seemed pretty good product, but money is tight, so have to wait a bit before I give them a try. Brochure says they are available at Runners High ‘n Tri in Arlington, Heights. Not sure if you can buy them online or what. You might want to try these for that plantar.
I also saw somebody do a write up on some compression heel cups that also contained copper. Supposedly she had heel pain before using them and then it went away? I need to look that up too. And mine is at such an advanced state that I’m kinda in a “special” place right now. I did get the call last night though that the orthotics are done so I pick those up on Friday. Of course, I’m hoping for a miracle with them at this point.
Thanks for making me sound fast, Amanda 🙂 I still have not mastered the advanced skill of pacing myself. I’ll work on that! As for the Old Plank Trail…that’s the BEST part of living in this area. I love that the trail goes so far in both directions, and the fall leaves are beautiful this time of year, although I’m still a bit paranoid about twising an ankle on sticks or acorns. I have noticed that they seem to “sweep” the trail on the weekends. I’m dreading the coming of snowy weather and hope to learn some strategies for running in the winter. Sticking to subdivision streets in the snow is fine, but I really miss the peacefulness of the trail in the winter. Hoping to find some more runners to brave the winter with this year!
I run outside year round, so if you want to run, I’ll be out there. I keep a base of 10 minimum. So it’s one 10 mile “long” run once a week. But hubby works SAT morns, so it has to be after he gets home on SAT or on SUN morn.