As always the morning run does it's job: clear the head

Dear James, Daniel and Emily,

Did my 4 miles today, got a little tight at the end, but I did push more at the beginning so that is still progress. One of the things I love about the morning run/walk is how it clears the head: literally & figuratively.

As the weather turns cooler my nose starts to run a little, but when you start the week feeling you might be catching a cold, and then you around someone who most definitely is sick, that is a good thing. Clear some of the gunk out with a little runny nose, keeps the body working.

And it is a good feeling to start the head with that time to clear my head of everything, so I'm not thinking/obsessing about what happened yesterday or last night. I think one of the problems I had Monday was I didn't get out to clear my head, so I was more on edge in the morning.

Today I was also thinking through what my plans are. My goal is to get back to 20+ miles a week. And I think that will be doable here in the not to distant future as I rebuild my leg strength. Since I run 4 days a week, and walk at least 2, and my walks are always about 2.5 miles then that's 5 miles to start, and if all I did was 4 miles each run I would have hit that 20 mile mark. Of course I want to be able to do more, but I need to be patient and wait for the recovery to progress before I can hit that number. I mean it was only a couple of weeks ago that I couldn't hit 3 miles without pain.

Returning to intervals, having to listen to my body on way to #fitwinning

Dear James, Daniel and Emily,

Today's workout

Today I got back on the coached workout wagon. I had just been doing free workouts since the half marathon, but today I got back on the coached workouts. This means a regular training program, with certain workouts, following a set time to follow a certain pace etc. Today was intervals, which I did fine at, but running that much harder did mean that the leg soreness kicked in a little earlier (3 miles). So I listened to my body and slowed down and walked home. I'm not too worried that this means something bad has happened, rather I kind of expected it. Increasing the intensity of the workout was going to result in the soreness showing up earlier. But adding these workouts will help my gradual recovery.

I am so glad I got out of bed and did the run today though. Even though I did not get a good night sleep: dog, kids, Kim all were restless and interrupted my sleep to some extent. But I feel so much better mentally today after having gotten out and done something that it was well worth any soreness. And as we get into Fall, and eventually winter I will rely more and more on my workouts to keep my mental self straight.

Had a successful week, still recovering, but always #fitwinning!

Dear James, Daniel and Emily,

2 runs of 4 miles or more, 2 morning walks of 2+ miles, it was a good week from an exercise perspective. Still recovering from the stress of the half marathon, so having to build back up to my goal distance of 6 mile average runs. But you know what? I am nearly 45, and I am getting out there and running, which is really the point of the whole exercise. If it takes me a little while to recover my goal running pace and distance that's alright so long as I am still getting out there and doing something.

Still fighting the eternal battle of appetite versus healthy eating. My meals have become pretty well balanced, no problems on the digestion front. That's the good part. Now need to recover the eye of the tiger as far as will power on reducing what I actually eat. I know I can do it, just need something to help regain that mental strength.

Different route, flatter, knocked out 4.5 miles, it took longer for the pain to come, which is the plus side, must endeavor to persevere