Start time: 01/30/06, 6:00pm
Location: W&OD Trail
Distance: 4 miles
Run:Walk ratio: 6:1
Average pace: 8:58min/mile

Well, after a week off due to being sick with a nasty cold, I headed back out onto the trail today. Part of me was saying, “Wait one more day, know you’re really better.” The other part was saying, “It’s in the 60s in January. It won’t be tomorrow. Go running.” Well, you know which part won.

The problem with having taking a week off and then being all on my lonesome was that I headed out of the gate fast. Way too fast. (Well, too fast for me.) I’d been originally thinking that I’d start with 4 miles, maybe push it up to 6 because I’d have a more pleasing total mileage for the month. Well… 8:33 was probably a bit fast for the first mile when you consider that was almost my pace for my last 5K. The next two leveled out somewhat (8:51, 9:06) and I coudl feel myself getting tired. I knew the fourth mile would have an extra walk break… but I wasn’t prepared for it hitting where it did. It seemed early, way too early along the trail for the mental math game I was playing. (And if it was going to come early, I almost would’ve rather it had been at the base of the hill, not just after I crested it. Hmph.) I just felt run over with a steamroller. Finally it ended, I ran the last bit in, muttering to myself, and looked at the watch: 9:23. Which was still slower, but not as slow as I’d convinced myself. (Especially when you compare it to the previous mile and know that this one had an extra minute of walking.)

Isn’t it fun, the games your mind plays with you?

Anyway, for my first time back out doing any sort of exercise in a week I’m not displeased. And for the month? 48 miles, an improvement over last January (42.45), which considering I didn’t have any double-digit runs and was sick for a week is a good amount indeed.