Back In The Saddle, and Feelin' Fine

When I announced my plans to run a half marathon on 5/31, my pal Kat chimed in, "Hey, can I train for this with you?" I excitedly told her yes, and we made plans to start training today.

I woke up today, after having the death plague for a week, still sniffling and was dismayed to see rain, overcast skies, and 25 MPH winds... it was about 45 degrees, but UGLY out there.

I knew I didn't want to cancel, but I also knew I didn't really WANT to run in this weather. Plus, I am so out of shape and out of practice right now -- having not really run since the elbow break in October, I wasn't even sure I'd be ABLE to run 3 miles.

Just 3 miles. How easy it is to lose that ability, even if you've run the full 26.2. I've stayed active through the winter -- walking, treadmill, elliptical, swimming laps, lifting weights, yoga -- but I haven't been running. Mostly because I just desperately loathe running on the treadmill, and clearly lack the coordination to run in the snow and ice.

But Kat didn't bail, and neither did I. And outfitted in running clothes, my HR monitor, iPod in my pocket, and new New Balance shoes on my feet, I met her at 9 AM at the Lake Calhoun boathouse. Lake Calhoun in Mpls is a great training location, because it's 3.1 miles exactly -- so we walked for 6 minutes, and then broke into a run.

Now, I gotta tell you -- I have spent my running career "hating" to run with other people. So I was nervous about how today would go, but I loved it! We both had our iPods on, and we set a very moderate "conversation pace," and we ran the whole way without stopping -- so we walked 6, and ran 34 minutes... because we finished EXACTLY as my watch was clicking over to 40 minutes flat. So, 3.1 miles in 40 minutes... for my first run in 4.5 months, say nothing of the wind and rain, I think we kicked a helluva lot of ass!

And once home... albeit shivering... and I poured myself into a super hot shower, and then into a pair of comfy pants, sweatshirt and slipper socks, I found a sense of peace that I haven't felt in a VERY long time. The peace that comes with a slightly fatigued, but healthy, body. The peace that comes with feeling like I accomplished something great, something challenging, and something I didn't think I was going to be able to do.

The peace that comes with realizing that not only did you just outrun your expectations, you ran them into the ground.

Training plans for the week:
Monday: 3 miles
Tuesday: rest (11:15 Restorative Yoga class)
Wednesday: 3 miles
Thursday: 3 miles
Friday: rest (pasta for dinner and an early bedtime!)
Saturday: 4 miles
Sunday: rest (dog park, walk, etc)

Needless to say, it's early bedtimes for me as I get back in the swing of things with a training routine.

It feels good to be back.

Off and running,
~Jessica