Running in Life's Slow Lane

1.75 mi total distance. Walked 1.25 mi and jogged 0.50 mi.

Returning to running for the first time since the doctor gave me the go ahead. Walked 0.5 mi then jogged 0.25 mi. I ran too fast and the knee proved tender. So I walked another 0.5 mi and ran another 0.25 mi, this time focusing on a slower pace. Knee did not bother me so much. Finished another 0.25 mi of walking before going home.

There it is. My return to running. I have had no pain or tenderness since (about 5 hours) so I am hopeful.

Okay, still seeing what my knee can sustain.

0.25 mi walking
1.00 mi run
0.25 mi walk
0.25 mi run
0.25 mi walk
0.25 mi run
0.25 mi walk
0.25 mi run
walked until I cooled down

The discomfort is still in my knee while running but not painful. No burning or stinging sensation nor anything to make me alter my stride. Afterward there has been no swelling or lingering pain. I am still taking the prescription anti-inflammatory medicine and plan to do so for the rest of this month. In Feb I will stop the drugs and see what happens.

If my schedule permits I hope to run a bit tomorrow for the first back-to-back workouts since the doctor visits.

Location: Lovely Lawton, Oklahoma

Knee felt tight so I was a chicken, too afraid to run for fear of hurting. Just as well though as the winds picked up to howling levels in the afternoon.

0.25 mi walk
0.75 mi run
0.25 mi walk
0.25 mi run

It was bitterly cold so we kept the total distance short. Just as well since my knee was a bit tweaked at the end of the first period of running. No lingering effects though so that is better that my last run.

For now I think I will keep everything at 0.75 mi segments or shorter for running.

Location: Lawton, Oklahoma

2.0 total miles. 1.25 jogging.

0.25 mi walk
0.75 mi run
0.25 mi walk
0.50 mi run
0.25 mi walk

Used the new ITB stretch before I started my first jogging interval. Felt no issue from the knee while running the 0.75 mi and kept my pace very slow. After walking a bit I stretched the ITB and calves before running again. Unfortunately after about 0.25 mi of running I felt the ITB tighten a bit so I kept it short. Here's hoping that tomorrow I feel no pain and can run another little bit.

Location: Lawton, Oklahoma

I did a series of very controlled jogs with a bit of walking between. My goal was to keep good form and posture while paying a great deal of attention to the troublesome knee.

So, the intervals worked out to be
0.50 mi
0.25 mi
0.25 mi
0.25 mi
0.25 mi
0.25 mi
------ total 1.75 miles

Yay! A nice solid 1.75 mi is my best so far. While I didn't run straight through without stopping, any increase in distance is good regardless of how it is accomplished. Here's hoping no jump in pain is felt this evening.

Location: Lawton, Oklahoma

Best run so far this year!

Two 1.0 mile jogs. The first was very fast, probably close to 10:00 since the hard north wind was at my back. Walked a big to let my poor heart and lungs recover. Started off on my way back to house and found myself not only fighting the hill but the 30-35 mph wind blowing straight from the north. Decided to be a bum and walked to the top of the incline so that I could let gravity help pull me towards home. As it was the wind still pushed me to a standstill twice. Still managed to get the second mile in under 12:00.

No issues from the knee. Here's hoping I am still pain free tomorrow.

Location: Lawton, Oklahoma

4.25 total miles on my feet but only 2.50 miles running.

Did the run in sections of 1.0, 1.0 and 0.50 miles. Felt like I could have done a bit more but now that I feel as though I can run without knee pain I don't want to be foolish and ramp up the miles too quickly. Didn't mean to cover the 4+ miles total distance yet ended my run a bit too far from the hotel.

Location: Warm and humid Orlando, Florida

1.87 total miles. Just 1.0 mi jogging.

Today was more about confidence building than any real workout goals. Today and yesterday marking the first consecutive days I have ran any distance in quite some time. While it seems that my knee is able to take the workouts I don't want to ramp up the mileage too fast. So this week will probably see several short runs and just one or two days above a mile.

Still, I'm thrilled.

Location: Cloudy and cool Orlando, Florida.

2.79 total miles.

1.50 mi running
0.25 mi walking
1.00 mi walking

It was hot and humid tonight in Orlando. Also a bit scary since it was decidedly dark by the time I got out for the run. Pushed it to reach the 1.50 mi mark before stopping as my calves were awfully tight but I wanted to prove to myself that it was doable. Slowly building up to the point where I can run the 5K nonstop.

Tomorrow will be another light day if I run at all.

Location: Orlando, Fl

In case you missed it ... new record for clowning around.

2.0 mi in 22:36 @ 11:18/mi burning 243 calories

1.0 mi in 11:20
1.0 mi in 11:16

Did an out-and-back run along Alafaya Trail this afternoon. A bit chilly for shorts and tech shirt while I was running into the north wind. Which proves a good point that in the winter I should always take long-sleeved running shirts and tights on a trip, even if it is headed someplace known for warm weather.

Location: Orlando, Florida