When I woke up this morning, the sun was shining into the bedroom through the blinds and I thought to myself, "Hey, it's been a long time since I've had a good run. Today is the day that I'm going to start again and I'm determined to make it all the way around the lake!"
Since this is my first blog entry, I should give you some background info! I just moved from NYC to Orlando with my husband, E, and we're living right by a wonderful lake. In the few weeks I've been here, I've jogged to the lake several times, but have only run in one direction for a bit and then turned back -- never making it more than a quarter of the way around.
Now, I used to run a lot and just completed my first half-marathon in San Fran last fall (raising over $4000 for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society!), but have had knee problems ever since and was instructed by my physical therapist to stop running altogether. I've been working to build strength through various exercises and eating healthier, so I'm finally back on track!
So this morning, I ate an Access bar and headed out. It was 7:30am and there was nice cool breeze. I jogged through the park and reached the lake, which looked huge and a little intimidating, but I started my run. What I love about my new 'hood is that there are always other joggers, people walking their dogs, and parents pushing cute babies in strollers around and they actually say HI to you! I never got that in NYC! :-P
About a third of the way around, I started to huff and puff. Luckily, I remembered what my mentor from Team In Training taught me, and I slowed down a little to regulate my breath. Soon enough, I was past the halfway mark, and then I could see the starting point again! I was so happy that I made it around, no stopping! It took me about 40 minutes to do the 2.5+ mile run, so that's my benchmark... when I do it again (and I will definitely do it again soon!), I'm going to try to beat that time!
Here's to the beginning of a new life in a new place, as well as a reNEWed relationship with running!
Total time: 60 min
Total distance: 3.5 miles
Mood: Freakin' awesome!!
