Running - Present Tense

Saturday.  Stretched like it was my job, threw on some serious layers, brushed the cobwebs off the Garmin, and went for a run.  No big deal to some, but this was my first run since the Outer Banks Marathon on 11/14.  Big deal for me.

Started off stepping gingerly and cautiously, but by the end it was all coming back to me.  The start of the long road to race-ready.

This was a test-drive run for numerous reasons.  First try running on my right knee since the knee-brace/tourniquet episode at the marathon.  First try running on my right hip since it started complaining all the time.  First try for the new iPod.  First try after some minor surgery over the holidays.  Generally speaking I was encouraged by the run.  My knee felt a little off, but I know I need to do a lot of strength work on my knee and plan to step up the lower-body weights until the end of February.  My hip was definitely tight and sore, but no sharp pain, and it felt like it was loosening up around the time I finished.  I only went 2.5 miles, which was probably a little longer than I should have gone, but it really felt good to be back outside running again.

Sticking to my plan to focus on weight-training and cross-training until the end of February, and then start running more regularly.  I'll probably shoot for 3 short runs a week until March, but won't push the timetable until I feel like I've done my time in the gym getting the strength up in my hip and knee.  Not training for a race right now, so no need to ramp up the running and risk a setback.

Nice to actually write about running again.  Healing and dealing.