After yesterday, this was a breeze

With all the hills and such yesterday, today was by all accounts easy. I laced up and headed out my usual route that provides a good combination of terrain, including two good hills. I laced up and headed out, the weather was pleasant, 6C and a light wind. It was clearing as well so the chance of rain was gone. I started out really well but around 5k the fatigue from yesterday caught up with me and I backed off about 20 sec per km to find some relief. The two hills I ran a strong controlled pace keeping within myself. I finished strong and enjoyed the little walk home. Feels so good to be running. I stood in the elevator as the high washed over me thinking that the only other high I have experienced like that almost killed me. I'll take this one anyday. 53:21 ~ 10k, 5:18 per km. Run long friends.

I'm thilly, I didn't think it was that hilly

Wow, I suppose next time I set a new route, I should have a look at the course first. I picked a new 8k loop that I knew had a couple of killer hills one at 2k another at 4-5k mark but what I didn't realize was that at 7.5k there is a long steep climb that kicked my ass. So as I was out there having a good time and all, I looked up and wished I'd picked another route. As I ran slowly up for what seemed like forever, I wondered when it would end. Finally it did but it hurt, good hurt. My day was done when I got home, I was tired. 46:24 ~ 8.6k, 5:24 km pace.
Tomorrow, 10k with only one long hill. Peace.

Just a little run around the park

I was thinking today that I haven't found anything on any of my runs of consequence in a long time. You know when you are out there for as long as I am sometimes you are bound to come across something interesting. Well not today but it was on my mind. The weather is much better than it was the other day and I made the most of it thankfully. I laced up and headed out into a slight headwind, around 4C and mostly clear. I ran easy, trying to stay within myself but I felt quite fatigued. Not sure why, I think work bored the life out of me really. My pace wasn't as good as I would have liked but I pressed on, just feeling it out. It was nothing special but this week I go back to five days, so everything counts. Oh yeah, I went over 600km today. BFD!!! Not bad for only five months of running and taking 7 weeks off. Today is the beginning of the big time. 26:31, 5:15 per km. Not too shabby for a old guy like me.

Man did the weather take a turn

Had an early day at work and took advantage of it. I laced up and headed out for an impromptu 10k run. The weather was cool and overcast, about 3C. I went out easy and wishing I'd worn a jacket I tried to keep an even pace as I warmed up. At 4k in the weather got darker and colder and the wind came up a little as I got closer to the water. By 5k it had started to snow and was decidedly windy. I was as far away from home as I could have been so my only option was to keep going. That really isn't a good feeling you know, halfway cold and wet, snow coming down and your only choice is to keep going. Imagine the character that one built. Needless to say I was happy to get home. 54:55 ~ 10km, 5:27 per km. Peace friends, hope for better weather soon.

Bring on the global warming

Running in shorts and a tshirt in January? Only in Victoria!
Awesome run on an awesome day. I was going to run early this morning but decided to wait for it to warm up a bit. I laced up just after 1 pm and headed out for my favorite loop through Oak Bay. I felt free and easy and a little bit chilly in the shadows but with the sun in my face it was sweet. I ran a little faster than anticipated but no matter. 10km ~ 51:42, 5:08 km pace. Peace friends, till tomorrow, enjoy the sunshine.

I'm having those elemental feelings again

Simple. Basic. Good. I ran today easy. Just to run. Nothing more. To be with myself, for myself, by myself. It was pleasant. 4C and no wind. Easy pacing. 10km ~ 56:32, 5:34 per km. Easy. Like I said. Peace.

I found a little inspiration

I'm not sure where it was hiding but I collected up what I could and decided to make a stab at something in the future. I won't talk of what that is yet as I am still not confident in my injury being fully healed but I will continue on. I ran today despite the weather, cold and raining, around 2C. I headed out with the intention of running for 40 minutes and just to see how far I would go, trying to keep an easy pace. I was pretty nice out actually, perfect for running I thought. I went about as far as I expected I would. My ankle was hurting but not like before, I think the wound that I suffered from the poor tape job at the physio is what is causing the discomfort. Either way it is manageable just annoying. 40:00 ~ 7.3km, 5:30 per km. Till we meet again.

It's funny sometimes

How old tendencies creep back without you even realizing them. I suppose the key is what we do about them once they are there. It's been awhile since I've run regularly and well documented the details of beating the past demons that would rather have me sit on the couch than run. I think that I had even beaten them, rid of them for good. Well, this is not the case. I was scheduled to run yesterday and put it off until it was either too late or too akward to fit. I had four excuses and a couple in reserve if they didn't hold up. Now there is some validity to not wanting to reinjure my leg, true, but if that was really a concern I should just take some more time off and make SURE that it won't be an issue. What the key problem here is the one in my head. So today I decided to not listen to the ongoing reasons as to why I shouldn't run and just got ready and went out. I ran slower than usual for personal reasons but I ran. That simple. 27:02 ~ 5km, 5:22 per km.

I don't want to get too excited but...

I ran the fastest 5k since I started running again last August. My injury has been feeling fine lately so I figured it was a good time to see just far I have come. I laced up and headed out into the rain but it was reasonably warm, around 7C. I pushed the first km hard enough and ran into a hill that slowed my pace somewhat. By 3k I was really moving but my fitness isn't where it should be so I was labouring. 4k was faster than all the others then I died on the last one home. Fuck I was beat. But my time was great and I feel AWESOME. 24:23 ~ 5km, 4:51 per km. Physio tomorrow, wonder what the doctor will have to say about all this? Till then, peace.

Isn't this way supposed to be slower...

When I run a looping route, say clockwise, it leaves me another run some other day, say counterclockwise. So two days ago I ran the said clockwise way in a respectable time. Today, same route but backwards. Are you following me? The route run this way has considerably more uphill than down. But strangely enough, I ran it faster, not by much but a little bit quicker. I felt great, the wind was down and it was about 4C. I wore a sock that rode up higher on my shin to help defuse the rubbing of the tendon. Seemed to help. But I was very fluid except for the last 500m where I was just bloody tired. 15:01 ~ 3km, 5:00 pace per km. Till the next run friends, peace.

Finally.

It took nearly six weeks and alot of fortitude not to do something I wasn't supposed to but today I got the green light from the doctor and I can resume running, albeit less distance and with some clear rules to follow. So after my treatment today I laced up once again and got outside on a windy, and I do mean windy, pleasant and sunny day, somewhere's around 10C. I ran a short, flat 3 km route so as not to cause any damage. I was tentative obviously as any sign of pain would mean more rehab. By the end of it I was smiling and feeling great, like the something that had been missing was now returned. 15:10 ~ 3km; 5:03 pace per km. Pretty good way to start back on the road. Peace.