Nagging injuries have been my Achilles' heel this racing season

For as long as I can remember, just about every one of my runs was geared toward a specific purpose, whether it was to build speed, strength or endurance, or to recover from a workout.

There were hills, long runs with fast finishes, track intervals, tempo runs and more. The only time I deviated was on vacations, where I would go out and explore.

But this summer has given me a new appreciation for just being able to go out and run. A nagging Achilles' tendon problem has prevented me from running any fast or hard workouts since early July.

A few weeks ago I realized I should be grateful I'm able to run easy without pain and to not try anything harder until the injury heals. It's also giving me more time for swim workouts and to surf.

So during a recent two-week vacation on Cape Cod, I went for easy runs by myself or with my wife and just enjoyed being out on the road or on the beach in the summer sun.

Success was based not on how fast I ran a workout but running without pain. It was also a mental break from training and racing.

The disappointment about getting into my best running shape in several years and then getting injured before being able to do a lot of racing has slowly faded. While I hope to race again this year, I don't feel any pressure to do so.

I'm just looking forward to my next run.

New 800 mark

• It didn't get much publicity but Kenyan David Rudisha broke the 800-meter world record for the second time in a week last Sunday and was just short of becoming the first person to dip under 1:41. In the IAAF World Challenge meeting in Rieti, Italy, Rudisha ran 1:41.01. That's an average of 50.5 seconds per lap. Until last week, Wilson Kipketer's impressive mark of 1:41.11 had stood for 13 years.

The race was also a good one for American Nick Symmonds, who ran a personal best of 1:43.76. While that was fast enough to win many world class 800s, he finished a distant third to Rudisha.

Big crowd expected

• John Bysiewicz, the director of the Niantic Bay Half Marathon and 5K presented by the Mohegan Sun says he expects more than 1,200 runners at this year's event, which is slated for Sept. 26 at Rocky Neck State Park. Last year there were 750 runners who braved the steady rain.

This year the half will host the state half-marathon championship and technical T-shirts will go to the first 1,000 entrants. More information is available at www.nianticbayhalfmarathon.com.

On the schedule

• The 13 annual Roger Schonning 5K will be held Wednesday, Sept. 8 at 6 p.m. beginning at the Westerly branch of the Ocean Community YMCA. Registration is available at the YMCA or at www.active.com.

• The third annual Artistry in Motion 10K and 5K will be held Saturday, Sept. 11 at 9:30 a.m. at Sound View Beach in Old Lyme. Both races are held on flat, scenic, certified courses with check-in at Lenny's On the Beach at 88 Hartford Road. Registration is at www.artistryinmotion5k.org.

• The free Charlie Stavros 3-mile On the Beach Run will be held Monday, Sept. 13 at 6 p.m. at the Pleasant View Inn on Atlantic Avenue in Misquamicut. This is an out-and-back course on the beach and is always one of my favorites. For more information, go to westerlytrackclub.org.