e-z-4

After a rough week at work (and no running since Sunday) I ventured out into the sunny and slightly chilly morning for a run. It was one of those runs that started out with me somewhat hesitant to even start, but I knew I had to try. I got geared up for the 24 degree temperature and headed over to the park.

What a truly beautiful day -- the sun was nice and bright and I was feeling better about my decision to run. Once I stepped out of my truck, I felt a slight chill, but knew it would be fine once I got started.

I stretched out a little, making sure my knee was feeling okay (and it had felt great all week) and then turned on some tunes and was on my way. My eclectic group of friends Usher, DMB, Eminem, OK Go!, Garbage, Gwen Stefani, Johnny Cash and a few others kept me company and kept me motivated the entire time.

I wasn't sure what my mileage was going to be when I started out -- my first thought was just 3 miles, but I thought I had run 2.5 miles both Friday and Sunday last week, so it was time to take it up a notch. 4 miles seemed about right - a little bit further, but not too much too soon. I so wanted to do 5 or 6, but I am trying to ease into this running routine again. I got to my turn around point and stretched a little more. The knee still feeling good. I thought about going a little further, but kept myself focused and headed back.

I wasn't keeping track of my pace while I ran, it felt pretty good, probably a little faster than I intended to run, but I wasn't tiring out. Towards the end of my run, I picked it up just a little to see how it felt.

Well, it felt pretty good.

When I finished, I was tired. That was it, I was done for the day. I pushed a little bit, but not too hard and felt better for it. I think 5 is doable for next weekend now. I am even contemplating a 5 mile trail run... may not be the best move though, but I will see how I am feeling...

My splits were very surprising to me:

• Mile 1: 8:42
• Mile 2: 9:06
• Mile 3: 8:54
• Mile 4: 8:40

My average HR is still a little high, so I have to try to do better with my running, but everything seems to be coming back together. I am feeling whole again...

Happy Running to all and Happy St. Patrick's Day!

back with a vengeance

I did my "recovery" run yesterday.

A recovery run from my "2.5 mile easy does it" run that turned into an "all I could handle run".

The good news: knee didn't act up the next day from it, so it seemed logical to try another short run, this time trying to keep my pace in check.

So I did the same loop. My time was almost identical, but this time I was consistent and I felt much better. The knee is doing alright so far. I remain hopeful, but since I just ran more Friday and Sunday than I did in the month of February (though it is a short month), I'll have to see if it proved to be too much.

But for now I am back. And thank you all for your well wishes!

P.S. Yes I am still a dork and have too much time on my hands. Just wait until my mileage gets back to where it was...

scratch

Yep, that's where I am.

That is where I am starting from.

I took my first run in 5 weeks.

That's right, 5 weeks.

It isn't to say that I have been doing nothing, just nothing relating to running, or exercise in general. Work has been my life, so to speak, for over a month. I left work at 4:00 yesterday because I was tired and already had 60+ hours in for the week, but also because it was in the 60's and sunny and I felt the need for a run.

I got home and changed and was out the door. I started my run too fast - no surprise there. I wanted to take it easy, go slow and just see how my knee would feel and how I would feel. It wasn't until the first mile that I felt spent. I checked my pace - 8:46... way too fast. I was glad to see I still had some speed, but that was not what I had planned. The second mile was slower at 9:03, and the last half mile was at 9:46. I was tiring quickly and probably couldn't have done any more than 3 miles total, so I just kept my run to the 2.5 mile loop in my neighborhood.

I have found that I am not even close to the shape I was in 3-4 months ago... so here I am starting from scratch. So far the knee is feeling fine. I am going to try to go for another run on Sunday, but I don't want to jump right back into running too quickly. If the knee is good, then I'll try for 3 miles - at a much slower pace this time. Until then, happy running to all...

m.i.a.

So I have been a little busy. Still no running, but honestly have had no time. I was hoping for a run today - the weather is beatuiful, but hi-ho, hi-ho it's off to work I go... I hope running and life is going well for the rest of you... until next time...

P.S. Yes, I know I am a dork and I apparently still have too much time on my hands...

no news is good news?

Um, probably not in my case...

I have not run in a week.

I had intended to run this weekend, but I was tired, I was busy and, frankly, I just was not motivated, although it was relatively warm (at least compared to the last two weekends I have run outside).

This week looks less busy and less stressful at work, so we'll see. It will also depend on my knee. It was acting up yesterday when I would walk. Still a bit problematic this morning. Not sure what is going on, but something is not right. I may need another trip to the doctor... yuck.

I hope to be able to report on some actual running some time soon - perhaps a series of runs. It really bothers me that I am not training for anything - not a marathon and not the Indy Mini Marathon - my usual spring race. I am out of sync with my life and just need to get things back to normal in some way...