First Run Post Hiatus

D-O-N-E. Done.  First Run after an extended vacation has been completed!  I knew that yesterday was the day the run would be completed so I spent some time first thing in the morning in prayer and reading the bible and mentally preparing myself.  I saw this idea from a running page awhile ago, and I thought I would try it out.  I took my running shoes and on the bottom of them wrote down a bunch of things that I was struggling with and trying to let go of.  It was hard to make out some of the words I wrote, but I didn't do it so I could read them again.  I did it so that I knew they were written down there, but they would be under my feet both literally and metaphorically speaking.

In addition to all of that, I recruited moral support and had planned my first run to be completed with a friend.  I met Kristal at her work during her lunch break so we could run together.  Now, anyone driving by us would argue that we did not run together, and that is true - sort of.  Kristal is faster than me so of course she pulled ahead of this slogger (that is slow jogger in running terms), but even though she was faster than me there was still something significant about looking up and seeing her ahead of me and that encouraged me to continue on.  To me, we ran together.

It was freezing cold.

There was snow on the ground.

When we started there were even flurries falling.  I had even mentioned that we might want to run inside, but Kristal refused.  She reminded me that we would be training for the Mini-Marathon in Indy in May during these next few months and that would mean time outside running in freezing cold weather.  We had to get used to it.  She was right.

I am glad she pushed me to run outside.  Once we got started it wasn't too bad.  I might even prefer running when it is cold compared to running in the extreme heat of summertime!  I had come prepared to run outside so I was dressed in layers.  My running outfit consisted of:

*leggings
*sweatpants
*running socks
*running shoes
*long-sleeved t-shirt
*hooded sweatshirt
*gloves
*hat that covered my ears
*iPod (because I struggle even worse when I don't run with music)

When we were finished, I was sweating, but I was not overheated.  I made sure to drink plenty of water all day long as well.

I went a little slower because of the weather conditions.  Some of you may not know this about me, but I have this intense fear of falling and getting my teeth knocked out.  It might have something to do with years and years of intensive orthodontic work to get my smile to what it is now, but nevertheless, I did not want to wipe out on the snow so I took it slow.  I was able to run approximately 2 miles with a 17 minute mile pace.  Not bad for the first run.

Yes, I lost speed, but I was still able to RUN (slog) the entire time.  There was NO walking!  That was an amazing feeling for me.  Last night I noticed that my right knee was sore and this morning my legs, mainly my quadriceps, are sore.  That soreness comes with the satisfaction that I got back out there and did it so I will bask in it and be thankful for it.