The Next Step

It was very warm (78) and very humid this morning.  As usual I started off easy and gradually picked up the pace.  I had some stiffening and pain in the hip during the first mile but it went away and felt fine the rest of the way.  Nothing special about this run.  I am just trying to get in the miles and get back in shape.  I feel pretty sluggish in most of my runs but figure it will take about a month of solid running to get back to where I feel like I can get into the serious training again.  I won't to be careful on introducing speedwork back into my training.  Another thing that I need to work on is my diet.  I have picked up 7 lbs during since Boston.  Partly due to decrease in mileage but also not been eating the best.  I would like to get back to my normal weight over the next couple of months.  Just hope I can continue to build up the miles and stay free from injury.

63:55 (8:00 avg)

It was pouring rain this morning so I put off my run until after work.  I actually didn't get out until after dinner right before sunset.  I was a pretty nice day around 80 and not as humid.  I felt good today and running felt a lot easier.  I started off slow and picked up the pace until the last couple of miles were close to MP.  Probably was MP for me now since I am out of shape.  I did have some pain in the hip but didn't last very long.

53:44 (7:41 avg) 

It was hot (79) and very humid this morning.  I was dragging getting going today.  I ran late last night so this was quick turn around for me and just didn't have much energy plus the heat was taking it out of me.  Because of this I just took it real easy.  I felt ok but had more problems with my hip.  It was dull pain for the last three miles.  I hope this is not the start of the same problem again.  I will continue to stretch, massage and ice to see if I can keep from having a set back.  Ready to be healthy again.

57:49 (8:15 avg) 

It was cooler this morning (71) and less humid plus it was windy which felt good.  I was concerned going out today after having pain in the hip yesterday.  Because of that I started off real easy to try to get loosened up real good.  I felt ok the first couple of miles so picked up the pace.  I did have some tightening in the hip and a little pain but it was much better than yesterday.  Most of that was during the middle miles and actually felt better toward the end.  This is my longest run since getting going again and it felt good to get in some extra miles.  Still trying to get built back up.  Feel like I am starting to make some progress if I can keep this hip from acting up.

1:13:16 (8:01 avg) 

Nice morning.  It was 66 but humidity is creeping up again.  I felt good this morning.  Did the normal easy start to get warmed up then eased into a comfortable pace.  Had a couple of issues with the hip but for the most part it was good today.  I can actually start to feel my fitness coming back.  It is exciting to feel like a runner again I just hope I can stay injury free.

63:07 (7:54 avg) 

AM:  Our church had a 5k run/walk to raise money for missions this morning.  I ran about a mile warmup and then ran the 5k at around MP or maybe a little faster.  My time was around 22 min.  Most of the miles were around 7:00 pace.  It was really warm and humid since they didn't start until 10:30.  It felt good to run a little faster and I didn't have any problems with my hip.  

 After the 5k and picnic lunch I went with some of the teenagers and we played soccer for about an hour.  It was blazing hot during this time (around 90).  We played pretty aggressively so it was a good workout.  One of the other men that went with us dislocated his shoulder and one of the teenagers cut his knee pretty bad.  I guess everyone was fired up for the world cup.  Too bad USA lost.

 PM:  I waited until almost dark since it was so hot and went out for an easy run.  Just took it easy and enjoyed the beautiful sunset that we had today.  I was tired from all the activity today but felt pretty good running.  Again I didn't have any problems with my hip.  I am definitely pumped up about that and hope it is behind me (no pun intended) for good.

56:02 (8:00 avg)