26 Or Bust!

After exactly a month of rest, relaxation, riding the stationery bike more than I’ve ever wanted and tearing up when I saw others able to run, I’m finally back to training. Last night was my triumphant return to the team, though I didn’t time it well as it was the night of Test #2, our second timed mile tests. The first test was in mid-January and my mile times were faster than I expected at 8:01 and 8:10. Since then, Tuesday trainings were dedicated to hill workouts to make us stronger, smarter about pacing and therefore faster. In theory Test #2 times should be faster than the first go round, though for me they were understandably not.

As my first run since getting my new orthotics last week, my coach advised I just run the course at a slow leisurely pace and definitely not push it. With no interest in aggravating the tendonitis, I took heed and ran the 3 mile course nice and slow. I’m happy to report all went well and I’m looking forward to another short run tomorrow morning. Saturday will be my first long run and I plan to take that slow as well. Listening to my body, my foot especially, will be key and let me know when it’s time to call it quits that day. Hopefully, I can run 11 miles, as that’s where I was in training when injury intervened.

If all goes well, I’ll try to add about two miles each week to catch up to the group. In the event of pain, I’ll take it easy, even walk if need be. At the end of the day, I’m not running this marathon to win (I’m at least 5 minutes per mile too slow to even be a contender). All I’ve ever wanted out of this is to say I crossed the finish line and support a good cause along the way. Should that mean walking part of the way and taking 6 hours, so be it. On April 26th, come hell or high water, I’m going 26.2 miles…or bust.