I ran 42 miles this past month (ok, Nike+ says 41.91, but I'm rounding up). I've made steady progress improving my pace, from 11:49 on that first run on June 8, to 10:21 today. I'm going to do the same run I did that first day on Monday (and at the start of each month) to see how I progress.
I also cycled 78 miles including my first ride to work in a very very long time.
I feel like I'm getting my old self back.
Things I've (re) learned:
1. I like numbers. I like tracking and I'll go a little further to hit a target. I've been using the Nike+ running app, and I wear a FuelBand, and I am motivated by the trends and streaks and data.
2. I am competitive. I don't have many "friends" on Nike+ (if you're on and want to play, please reply in the comments and I'll connect to you), but I will admit to going a little further than I planned today to retake the lead from Chris:
3. Don't touch the iPhone while running. I have had a problem with ending runs in the middle when I just want to pause or change music. Annoying.
4. I started out having the voice tell me time and pace every mile. I got depressed about my pace. So I shut off the pace narration and just had it tell me how far I'd run. Then that got annoying and disruptive too, so now I don't have the voice turned on at all, and I run as far as I feel like running, and I keep getting faster. I just keep reminding myself that I'm making progress and that's what matters. Some might say "just do it" (groan, couldn't resist)
5. There's still magic in a longer run or ride. I really missed that head-clearing time that comes after about the first half hour.
6. A three mile run is never a bad idea. I always ALWAYS feel better after. No matter how much I think I don't want to go.
7. Knowing that I committed to this blog really does motivate me. I know that I can't go more than 2 or 3 days without running, and know that I need to keep moving when I'm out on a run because the numbers don't lie, and I'm sharing the numbers.
8. I've actually had that feeling of "I need to go for a run" after taking a day or two off.
9. I'm starting to think about events. Not 5ks or 10ks, but marathons and 50ks. I know I'm getting ahead of myself but once I hit the 10 mile mark, I'll feel like I've turned a corner and I can sign up for a goal.
10. I'm excited about going for a longer, real run on my trip to SF this week. I've been running on my previous work trips, but that was more like walking with a few spurts of jogging. I'm going to go for a real run, along the bay. How long will depend on my schedule and how much time I have. I'd love to do 8 or 9 miles, but don't know that I'll have that much time before work.
11. My foot/ankle is actually feeling better! It doesn't bother me as much while I'm running, and I think I'm limping less overall (it usually stiffens up when I'm not active and I get a bit limpy when I start moving).
This week I did 13.25 miles - my most in a week so far. Next week's goal is 15. I'm going to do the short baseline run Monday, then a longer run Tuesday and Thursday, and will round out the week with whatever else I need to hit 15 on Saturday.
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