Progress

Added on 6/14...trying to see if I can get this to work from "Nike+"



I was thinking during my run today, just how thankful I am that I've been able to run consistently for 6 weeks now and how far I've come in that time.

Today I ran a "tempo run". For my friends who don't know what that is, it just means that for either a set distance or a set time you run a pre-determined pace that is faster than your normal training pace.

I warmed up for 2 miles, then ran a 2 mile tempo at 6-flat pace, then ran a 2 mile cooldown. A few years back and that would have been nothing I'd have been excited about. After the last 2 years of injuries though, this was a real nice step for me.

What's even better is, regardless of my times, I'm just so thankful to be running at all. Praise and thanks to God for His blessings!

Why do I do it?

I'd never be able to clearly articulate what it is that motivates my passion for running (particularly trail running). Had some thoughts on that a while ago, but they only represent a small part of my love for running.

Just a few of the drawbacks...

• Chafing (nipples, stomach- have my earphones cord to thank for that one- , legs)
• Ridiculous amounts of sweat. My guy-friends can sort of attest (especially former teammates who've seen me on long runs). I'm a faucet.
• Getting up early or staying up late to get in a run
• Tenderness and stiffness of varying sorts (for me it's usually...Achilles, calves, hamstrings, hips, back, and IT band)
• Burning lungs while running
• Feeling like puking while running
• Fatigue

There are many more. Yet, they just don't matter. It doesn't take anything more than just the thought of running in the woods to make my insides calm down (heart slows, breathing gets deeper, etc...)

When I was a kid I dreamed of playing basketball. I was the kid on the street who played for hours in the rain, because I couldn't get enough. Now I don't even miss basketball (mostly anyway). I just want to realize some fun goals I have for running.

First it's the Cape Mountain Trail Race coming up 6/23.

I'm not sharing my other goals yet, because I've had too many past setbacks, but so far I'm very encouraged with my training this time around. I've had to let go of my competitive fire (for now) as I'm not training to run fast. Just training to run 'period'.

Still not sure why I love running so much, but for now I'll go drink more water and enjoy my "runner's high" from today's 7 miler.