Every Race is an Adventure!

Walked 2.7 miles @ 17:04/mi with Karen.

4.25 @ 9:54/mi. Sub-10:00. I'm back moving in the right direction. My back hurt more at the beginning than at the end. I suppose that's a good sign.

I was thinking the other day about the old glass half full or half empty thing. The thought came to mind that that glass must be pretty big, because sometimes the empty half seems pretty big. I guess that just means I need to look for that other big half that's full. If it's that big it shouldn't be too hard to find, and it usually isn't. I just have to stop feeling sorry for myself and look.

Cascade golf course route. 5 miles @ 9:42/mi. The last half mile was @ 8:50/mi. That's the first time I remember seeing the numeral 8 at the beginning of a pace for a long time. I pushed hard the whole run again. I think my legs can handle it, and today apparently my back, but I sure have to work at getting enough oxygen to keep going.

Walked 4.1 miles @ 16:24/mi with Karen. It was our anniversary so I took the day off and we started by doing our walk up Provo Canyon from Vivian Park down to Bridal Veil Falls and back. We also watched The Avengers later in the day. Good day. Good decision to marry Karen 28 years ago. Good thing she hasn't given up on me yet.

6.1 miles @ 10:38/mi.

It was a little windy and chilly as I headed out with Larry and Wayne this morning, but it was good to be out with them. I'm feeling stronger and seem to be going a little faster each time I run. Thursday I saw an 8 at the beginning my pace on my watch, if only for a half mile stretch near the end. Today about 5 miles into the run I succumbed to the urge to push hard for about a 1/3 of a mile and saw a 7 at the beginning of the pace (7:50). It's good to know my body remembers how and is still capable of running like that. Now I just need to start gradually increasing the mileage.

I've only been running T,Th,Sat to allow my body to heal between runs. I think I may add some short runs on M,W next week, and bump up to 8 miles on Sat, and see how it goes.

Sometimes it's tough to find the right balance between "too much too soon" ("line upon line", "don't run faster than you are able") and "no pain, no gain" ("no risk, no reward", "no guts, no glory").

I'm just grateful to be back to where I am. Running is getting back to being an adventure again for me, instead of just a past memory and a future dream.