Last Friday, March 5th, I ran 4.5 miles in 45 minutes. I've run faster - even recently - but I think that's the furthest I've run this year going that fast. It actually felt good, and I could have gone further but I'm trying to not overdo things. Btw, yes, I did walk the remaining 15 minutes. For some reason I always seem to have to do at least an hour run, regardless of speed. :)
Yesterday though... I RAN OUTSIDE for the first time this year!!! It was in the mid-60s and I donned my shorts and one too many shirts and headed for the greenway. I did a 5k in 29:25 - which I think is my fastest 5k this year (maybe). I wasn't killing myself, but I was winded by the end. I walked a quarter mile then slowly jogged until the 4-mile point. That took me right at 40 minutes. I then walked the remaining 1 1/2 miles home. It was a beautiful day and felt sooooo good to run outside.
At this point I am feeling pretty good in my legs and feet. I guess I'm just always going to have an issue with my right foot/ankle, but it hasn't been terrible lately. I do think taking a 6-week break from alcohol allowed my lower legs to clear out the contaminates and they are feeling good. I'm also trying to be more conscious of using my glutes to lift my legs. Hopefully this will put less strain on my calves.
I'm not sure if my lack of speed is a mental or physical thing at this point. I mean, I can go faster, but I seem to tighten up or something. It could be that I'm afraid of injuring myself. Or I could just be that slow. I don't know. There's really no reason I need to go faster than a 10-minute/mile pace, but it sure would be nice again someday. Whatever.
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"He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful." - John 15:2
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