Will Run For Ice Cream

Since my last snowy adventure on the Appalachian Trail (you can read that here)   I haven't been back out running. I don't mind ( so much ) the cold on the trail, but running in the cold on the road, just hasn't seemed like fun. And, I'm pretty much over the treadmill at the moment. So I've been cross training But, with an upcoming race, I know I need to get some mileage in. So today, I forced myself outside.

*affiliate links If you've been following, then you know I'm injured. And people are getting on my nerves  giving  me a little grief for 'not resting enough.' So, let me just put a few facts out there. I had zero, zilch, none, absolutely no cardio for 4 weeks, where I then took a 15 minute leisure walk . I then gradually increased the speed and time until I was power walking 30 minutes 3 times a week with a rest day in between. I then started incorporating short runs (started with 5 minutes, then 10, then 15 and have plateaued at a 20 minute run, 10 minute walk) with a total time of 30 minutes. It has taken me 3 weeks  after my 4 weeks off to work my way up to a 2 mile run. I felt minimal pain (maybe a 2 on the pain scale) and will stay at 2 miles for another run or so to see how I feel. But as we were out on a family drive this weekend, I realized

I went for a short run this afternoon down by the River Front. I expected the path to be clearer than what it was. I ran into several snow patches. And then just when I thought it was clear I came up on a snow bank that was over 4" tall - ugh. I had to run through the mud to the other path. Today wasn't my best run, but it wasn't my worst one either. This is my first run outside at a faster pace in the last couple of weeks. I've been running on the treadmill. Apparently I'm going to have to get readjusted to running outside. I did ok. I averaged about a 10 minute mile. I do however have a 4 Mile race coming up. So I hope I am able to get some outside runs in before the race. I was struggling way too much with my breathing. But it was beautiful today. I'm glad I was able to get the 3 mile run in. My mood greatly improved after this run.

I went running yesterday for the first time by the river. It was beautiful to run by the frozen snow-covered river. My boss is a runner, and she and I went running after work. She showed me how to slow down my pace to try to increase my endurance to run farther. We ran 3 miles. It was good for me to run 3 miles at a steady pace. Usually when I run, I can't seem to keep the same pace. I want to run longer distances which means I need to build up my endurance. It feels good to get back into the routine of running/working out again. I packed my work out bag again today and ran after work. The scenery was breath taking. I could hear the ice breaking on the river as it is getting warmer here. I think my favorite part is running on the bridge across the river. Something about it is exhilarating to me. I think I'm reaching a place that I'm not running to try to 'lose weight' but simply running 'to run'. I enjoyed myself out there. Being directionally challenged, I ...