This morning’s run almost didn’t happen because I was lazy. However, I thought of the people I’m friends with who write post-run and post-workout reports on Facebook and of the times they wrote something to the effect of, “I didn’t feel like it today,” or “I didn’t want to, but I did it anyway.” They motivated me and I pulled myself out of bed and just did it.
Once I got outside, I did my push-ups (30 this time) and with my heart beating faster, I let my Fitbit sync up with GPS and I hit the road. I stretched out my legs a little more this time than normal and my pace reflected it: 4:24 for the first half mile, and 4:57 for the second half mile for a total of 9:21 for my first mile)! That’s my best time so far (since Active Duty)! I kept the pace for the first mile and a half and slowed for the last half to just over a 10 minute/mile pace. I’d like to get to about a 7:30/mile pace eventually, but for now, I’ll take the sub-10 minute/mile pace. It’s a good place to be after three weeks.
It is getting easier. My legs didn’t feel so thick today. I can’t describe it any other way. For the past few weeks, I could never shake the feeling where my legs felt thick, or as if they just didn’t want to loosen up. I’m not talking about stretching; they just felt like they didn’t want to run. That changed today. The only limit I felt was how hard I wanted to breathe. My legs were up to the task, and with the exception of a little bit of aching for the last 1/4 mile, it actually felt pretty good.
I can’t say I love it (yet? lol) but I do enjoy it. The music helps. A lot. I’m still fine tuning my running playlist, and may eventually post a link to it here (it’s on Spotify), but right now, I’m not sure I’m entirely happy with it. There are a few songs that have moments that just aren’t conducive to fast running.
I am backing off from the daily running thing for now, though. The day off really does help my legs heal and recover a bit, and I can feel the difference that day makes. I try to walk a little on the off-days that I don’t run, but I’m thinking four times a week is plenty of running and my progress so far has been pretty good, so I feel it’s enough to keep me progressing.
So, as I say on Facebook, I didn’t die on this run, so it was good. Now I find myself looking forward to the next run.
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