A Fresh Start

Time off has officially ended...not just winter break, but running-wise as well. I wanted to get this year started on the right foot, so January 1 I met up with Kristin and we had a nice four-mile run in the evening. It was my second 4-miler that week.

A very blurry (and green?) photo...first run of the year and we both just happened to wear our GGM tanks!

After time off, it used to be that I'd start all over. I'd run no more than two miles and take ages to build back up. But it seems in the last year or so, four miles has become my comfortable minimum. I'll run fewer if necessary, but I like to push for four.

Maybe how quickly I lose fitness is partially in my head.

Anyway, I started the first full week of the year by running another four, this time with Matt. I compared my last three runs and was pleasantly surprised by the results.

Last run of 2014.

First run of 2015 (with Kristin).

My most recent run.

Running with someone versus running alone may be partially to credit for this increase in speed, but when I ran with Matt he was comfortable going slow and I purposely ramped up the pace in each mile I just wanted to test my legs. (And he stopped at 3 miles; I ran the last one by myself and it was my fastest. It was nice to run sub-10 again!)

So...let's ignore my REALLY TERRIBLE POSTURE and focus instead of my super glowy shoes!

My new headband matches these shorts perfectly!

The good news is that my lungs felt great. The bad news is that my knees and hips are a little mad at me and I should remember not to overdo it too soon. (I may have been a bit overzealous about my IT band exercises this week.)

I also started the year with a batch of new headbands, which is super motivating!

I think I own too much neon pink and yellow...if that's possible.

Matchy-matchy!

I definitely feel a renewed sense of purpose and a sense of longing. I miss being fast. (Relative term, I know.) I'm excited to see progress and to stick with it.

I was hoping to know by the end of this week if I'll be comfortable running a full in February, but as of right now I still haven't decided.

Besides seeing some progress so soon, and getting running goodies in the mail, here's another mood-booster I got this week:

I've officially been a runner for five years! And to think, I used to swear I'd never run! That's all the proof I need that any goal is attainable as long as we're willing to put in the work.

How has your first week of January been?
What are your favorite colors to run in?
How long have you been running?

ABK