Alan, which toe did you break? I realize now that the little toe is very, very important. I have to go for another xray this Friday. All the doctor did is tape it and he said that I should not run or swim. It hurts to bend my toe. I can bike though, but not for long -- at least I have a shoe for protection. My friends going to the Sado Long Distance (2k swim, 105k bike, 20k run) on September 2nd were bummed out when I told them the news. We have been planning on this race all year. The time limit for the race is incredibly generous, meaning I would have tons of time to finish the race, but I think with every 1k of the 127k race, I would be doing more damage on myself. Also there are two killer hill climbs on the bike course which would require usage of my little toe -- I don't think I would survive the final run, even by walking. I rode my road bike down to Kamakura & Enoshima on Sunday to watch the 2.5k ocean swim race and cheer for all my friends. It was just a 25k ride but by the time I got home later that day my left foot was throbbing with pain and swelling up again. Walking on the sand in my bike shoes, also even riding with my left foot bike shoe cleat released from the pedal starts to hurt after a while. That's good to hear that you are running again after 3 weeks Alan. I was still thinking of a marathon in November, but now, I think next February or March looks like the smartest choice to make now. I will probably be able to swim and bike first which will be just fine. Another thing I have come to realize is that my body has it's timing to reach it's peak condition. I race better during the cooler months, late fall, winter, and during spring, but not well during summer. I look at everything now and think that I was pushing it thinking I could do the Sado race. You live and learn!

I've really been slacking. It's all sorts of reasons, the heat, nagging injuries, lack of motivation. Maybe I overdid it the first half of the year. If I want to make a serious attempt at BQ this Fall I need to get going.