Saturday, February 21, 2009

Again, from the beginning

I started off today's run at an easy pace. I was on the track and decided that I'd run 6 laps counterclockwise and 6.5 laps clockwise (to keep from putting too much stress on one knee/leg) for a total of 3.1 miles. I timed myself so I could track my progress -- and boy, will I need to progress! I timed in at 30:04, which is terrible. Of course, it was only an easy run, but I don't think that I would have been able to have done it much faster. It's a starting point, though. In 7 weeks, I should be able to run a lot farther and a lot faster.

Time to start training

Between uncooperative weather and family obligations, I haven't had the opportunity to run very much lately. I didn't turn in my sneakers entirely this winter, so I'm still in fairly good shape, but I'm not as fit as I could be. My last run was about 3 miles 1 week ago. I think that now I'm ready to begin training again. The next 5k I'd like to run in is 7 weeks away, and I would like to do some long runs, tempo runs, and speed work on the track in order to prepare for it.
I began re-reading Lord of the Rings, which is an added motivator for me. It makes me want to get outside and put some miles behind me. I just got to the end of book 1, where Frodo and his friends flee from the black riders to get to Rivendell. I am going to continue reading this morning. It will give me something to think about on my run this afternoon.