I'm Back!

The last ten days have been a mix of highs and lows.  I was disappointed that they found issues when I went in for surgery.  I was happy after surgery that I didn't feel bad at all and it was much better than the last two times I had this type of surgery.  I then got down again because I became sore as the days went on.  It then got worse when I couldn't even hill sprint on Thursday.  Running steps yesterday put me back on a high and today's run took me even higher.

Originally I wasn't planning on doing any running today.  I couldn't get up and join Dave's run this morning.  If I was running, I could've drug myself out of bed, but I wasn't too eager to do so to hike.  After reading all the fun everyone had, I got the itch to try a run.

As the day wore on, I passed on running.  I decided to give it a go after dark.  This was partly due to me eating late (Arby's) and partly due to the heat.  I decided that I would stay close to home and run the Blue Eagle 5k route.

I walked briefly to start and then began with very slow running.  It is always amazing how much harder it is to run slow than it is to run fast.  Taking all the extra steps just puts so much stress on the legs.  I felt awful in the first quarter mile, but it was great to be running.

My wound wasn't bothering me too much, but it was causing me to change form.  Somewhere between a quarter mile and half mile, I noticed I was running a pedestrian 12:34 pace.  It seemed like I'd never get done.  Then something amazing happened.  I was feeling better so I increased my stride a little.  When I did that, I felt even better still.  I knew I was going to complete the run and I knew I was back!

By biggest concern up to that point with regard to finishing wasn't actually my wound, but my shins.  That slower, awkward form was causing me some shin discomfort and it was still early on.  Once I picked up the pace, I felt free and that discomfort was gone.

Of course at this point I still had two miles to run and this isn't the easiest course either.  Nevertheless, I was ecstatic.  I cruised along at a comfortable, but still fairly hard effort.  My pace really began to increase.  With the slow start, my pace was 10:56 for the first mile, but I ran a 9:18 second mile.  My third and final full mile, I was booking and ran a 9 flat.

The only thing that was disappointing was that I was close to breaking 30 minutes and actually could've done so with a better start.  The run was still very encouraging.  I certainly felt a little rusty too, like I had not actually run in ten days.  Although the temperature wasn't bad, the humidity was pretty brutal.

It was another great run for me and I continue to exceed expectations.  I thought I might be able to complete a 5k, but never thought I could still have this kind of pace this soon back without fully being healed.  I'm also amazed at how the wound is responding to this running.  I guess sitting around a doing nothing makes it stiff and exercise loosens it up and makes it better.  I feel great now even an hour after my run.  The doctor said running could help it heal, but I didn't know it would work this well and be this noticeable.

I signed up for the Quadzilla again early last week.  Even though I had not run, I was still fairly confident I could run the race.  I began doubting myself a little with some of the setbacks last week.  Now that this run is over I KNOW I can run the race in three weeks.

From here on out it is all about preparing for Quadzilla.  I need to work in a lot of hills and even run the course itself a few times.  I want to be able to run more of the hills than I did during the group run a couple weeks ago.  There is a steep hill near the main building that has become my nemesis.  I had to walk up parts of it both times that I ran there this spring.  I might try some repeats there in the coming weeks.

I'd love to also beat my 5k time from the Blue Eagle 5k last year.  That race is in the beginning of August.  I'm not sure how much speedwork I can do between now and then, so I'm not sure how possible that is.  Looking at my last two miles today, it wasn't much different than most of my recent workout times.  The hard workouts and races were faster, but this was on par with most of my other runs.

I don't know what I'm going to do next.  I need to get to Trexler sometime this week.  I should probably take tomorrow off, but I'm so hungry to run.  I'm not sure I can get myself to commit to rest.  Maybe I'll do some core work.  I definitely need to do that.  I'm putting on the weight now and developing a bit of a belly.  I'm already 150 pounds and I'd like to get back down to 140 to race at.  Starting to eat healthier is definitely a must too.

3.16 miles - 30:31 (9:40 pace)