Hope and cutting a little slack

When I last posted I had come off a very uncomfortable and very slow run. The run following that one was marginally better, but not by much. Time off and leg pain set me back a bit. After that second run I was really discouraged. BUT, the next run was better and the next even better and the one after that was better still. I did my last 3 miles in in 31:30. For me, that's pretty damn good. So if you're in a down spot, don't lose hope! You will get better. If you keep pushing, keep trying, you really will do better. I know it.

When I first started I had hopes of doing a 10 minute mile right away. Its supposed to be the norm, after all. In the beginning there were runs that came close to that time, but then I'd fade out. I think I'm still trying to find my average pace. I've only been doing this 3 times a week for 11 weeks and I've only run the full 3 miles for a few of those weeks. Slowly but surely I'm accepting that sometimes you have to cut yourself a little slack. And really, I've never been much for normal anyway :-) So, I'll be happy with 31:30 and give myself the challenge of maintaining that and finding my pace. Once I find the pace I consistently hit and do that for a bit then and only then will I push it a little more.

If only this stupid groin/leg pain would go away once and for all I'd be set...or so I think. I want maybe 3 months of uninterrupted run time. At that point I think my body will have finally accepted running 3 times a week as  normal and a few days off won't throw me off track....or so I think. There's still so much to discover and learn about running, about me and my body and it's capabilities.

And lest I forget to mention it:
THE COUNTDOWN IS ON! 6 Days until until my first 5K! Send good vibes, say good prayers for a healthy, pain free, wind free, feel good day on April 2nd!!