Last week I started running again. Two short runs during the week went well — minimal pain and my legs felt good. While I could still feel that spot on my heel, it was only sporadic … and I didn’t have any pain afterwards.

I was a little nervous about my long run on Saturday. I joined a few people from my training group to run an 8K course that was mapped out for a race the next day.  It’s a cross country route, going through fields, asphalt and trails. While they’d be doing three loops, I figured I’d be happy with two.

I was hoping to run one loop and run/walk the second, but I felt good enough to run both (with walk breaks at the biggest hill … which I always walk even when racing this course).  While I was running out of steam at the end of the second loop, I finished only a minute slower than the first. I’ll call that a successful run!

Still, I’m a bit behind in marathon training. I took off three full weeks, plus the last week before the break I cut my long run in half. I know I need to be careful as I jump back into training.

While my long runs aren’t where I want them to be at this point, my base was good up until my injury. I’m optimistic that  I’ll still be able to get back on track, but I am also aware I may have to make some changes.

When looking at my calendar this week, I realized I have a conflict on the day of the 50K I wanted to run.  Turns out I have a choral performance that night; there’s no way I will be able to be ready to perform at 8pm. The race is an hour away, starts at 8am, and has an eight-hour time limit (that I may need to use all of — being my first ultra, I have no idea!).

So now I have a decision.  Do I want to find another 50K? There happens to be one the next day in Virginia, though again the concert the night before is not ideal race prep. There’s another nearby in December , but then my marathon placement isn’t right.

With my training setback, I also realize that this might not be my time for a 50K. I can try again next year or in the spring.

But where does that leave my marathons?

I originally was only going to do Baltimore (October 15), but added Marine Corps (October 30) thinking it would be a good training run for the 50K.

Without a 50K, do I still want to run two marathons in two weeks?

I can drop Baltimore to the half but would have to decide soon — once the race is sells out (it’s close!) I won’t be able to switch. If I do drop to the half, it gives me more time to get into marathon shape for Marine Corps.

Then again, my mileage will be up to ~20 miles by then anyway … so I can change my strategy and run Baltimore as a training run.

Or I can drop Baltimore to the half, run Marine Corps, and add a late-November marathon to train for the December 50K.

What would you do?

I’m pretty sure I’ve made up my mind as I’ve been typing up these scenarios, but you may be able to talk me into a more-sensible (or ridiculous!) decision!