Getting there

Yesterday, I ran 3 miles in the afternoon. Some of it was really fast (crossing Academy at Austin Bluffs), but most of it was easy.

Today, though, I feel like I've confirmed that I've made it back to a habit. I ran to our couples Bible Study with Curtis in the jogging stroller. It's about 5.25 miles, and it felt fine, though the last half mile was uphill and pretty steep. I feel like I'm going to be able to keep it up.

5k in the morning

Yesterday, I fit in a 5k run on the roads near my school. It was pretty good, and it was about 26 minutes +. I took it easy, and it wasn't too bad. I was late for class by 2 minutes, but it was worth it.

The Long Run

Probably the single most important run of the week is the long run.

Thanks to a snowy day that socked in a different part of town, I had the day off with perfect weather. I took advantage of the weather (and the spare time) and ran 6 miles for the first time in a long time. I have a Garmin Forerunner 301 which is super-handy, and--including a pair of stoplight rests--I ran those six miles at an average pace of 9:28 according to its calculations.

This was one of those runs where you just feel great the whole time. I was going easy, but for a long time. I listened to a motivating speech by UT-Austin's distance coach Jason Vigilante for most of the run, and it kept me pumped up but not so much that I blew my workout by speeding up.

While I'm a little disappointed that nearly an hour was only 6 miles, I still ran for nearly an hour and could easily have done more. Soon enough, I'll be back to a long run of 11 or 12 miles in 90 minutes.

Weekend Update

We had a big track meet this weekend, and I ran 4 miles on Friday before the meet started plus 3 miles Saturday, all around 9:00 - 9:20's). Even though those miles are slow, I know I've got to be patient. I'll get there.

Taking today off.

Consistency is the key

Once again, I could only fit in one mile, but that's still one mile. I'm trying to reestablish that old habit of running every morning before school. If I can get that going again, then I'm sure I'll be able to run 30-40 miles a week again.

3 days in a row!

Better late than never

I got up late again, which means I needed to get in my run faster than I'd like. I ran two miles and not too fast, but once again, in the gym.

That's several days of running in a row. Better than it's been.

1 fast mile

Yesterday, I got to school late, but I'm committed to rnning, so I did just one mile fast (6:45). Not bad for inside the gym. I know it's not as good as doing 30 minutes, but right now, the habit is more important than anything else.

Night running

Last night, I ran to the one-mile mark of my usual loop (8:30) and then back (7:45). It's mostly uphill, so the way back was easier (and faster). It felt good, but I've got to be patient.

2-a-days...

Saturday morning was a big track meet, and I managed to squeeze in 2 miles on the AFA track before the meet started. It felt okay; 2 in 17:40. Then after the 1600, I ran about 2 in 17:-- with my miler (who won his heat but lost to someone in a previous heat who was clearly misplaced).

I felt good for both runs, but later that night, my calves felt pretty tight. I'll survive.

Starting to train again is hard

This morning, I ran 24 mind-numbing laps around a high school gym.

I had knee surgery in December, and getting back in shape has been slow going. I've still got good foot speed, but my endurance is shot. The hardest part about it is being patient. I'm not fit like I was in November - running 7:30's for my easy miles. I probably ran 10:00 miles today (assuming the gym is 12 laps to the mile).

Part of me is embarrassed to be running so slow, but I'm glad just to start up again.