Consider Me Back

Running Update

The last time I wrote about my weekly training I was just consistently breaking 30 minutes on my 3 mile runs.  I have been setting small goals to hit since I started running again after surgery.  I've found that has kept me from trying to do too much too soon.

My new goals for the past few weeks were to increase one run a week to 4 miles and to do some speed work in some of my 3 mile runs.

Week 1

The first week I ended up very busy and only hit half of my goals.  I finished my weekday runs at a good pace and added 2 quarter mile pickups at a much faster pace.

This was the week we went to my nephew's birthday in Pittsburgh.   I kept up during the week, but didn’t actually run at all over the weekend.   It happens sometimes.  No big deal.

I really think playing Dance Party with my nephew on the Wii should totally count as a workout... yes? no?  🙂

Week 2

I’ve been trying not to aggravate my asthma or allergies again, so I still do my weekday afternoon runs on my treadmill if it is too hot.  Fall has been great though because I’ve been outside more.  This was the first week the weather was a bit cooler and I got all three of my runs down outside.

I tried some pickups on my 3 milers but I was just not feeling it either day.  I actually struggled to finish both weekday runs and both times were closer to 31 minutes.

I regrouped and refocused for my weekend run and finally ran 4 miles!  I felt like I could have kept going and it felt so good to finally get in a longer run.

Week 3

I had a great first run of the week… hitting 3 miles in 29:20.  I did 3 quarter mile pickups at a near sprinting pace.

I had signed up for the Pink in the Park 5K on Saturday so I wanted to get my longer 4 mile run in earlier in the week.   I’ve always found running longer during the week is much harder for me, but this time I had no trouble.  I ran my second 4 mile run at a slightly quicker pace.

Week 4

My runs the past week were going so well that I decided to push a littler father last week.  I did my third 4 mile run and didn’t have any problems so I set my sights on a 5 mile on Saturday.

Saturday morning I woke up with a goal of running 5 miles in under 51 minutes.  I wanted to pace myself slow enough to start that I could finish the run with some confidence.  My plan worked and I pulled out a faster than expected first post surgery 5 mile run.  I easily felt like I could have pushed faster or farther.    I felt great and I’m seriously considering running the Thomas Wolfe 8K this Saturday morning!

I’m still not running as quickly or as long as I was running when I got sick last February… but I’ve come a long way in this comeback.    You know what?  I finally feel like I can say… YEAH, I'M BACK. 

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QUESTIONS:

HOW IS YOUR RUNNING GOING?

DO YOU SET SMALL GOALS FOR YOURSELF?