Somebody pinch me. I’ve been running for just three months. 12 weeks. That’s all. When I started, I probably weighed more than 220 pounds. I couldn’t even weigh myself, but pictures tell the tale. I’m down into the 180’s now and I’m feeling better than I have in quite some time. It’s great to be able to run distances I never thought I’d attempt, but really reinforces those achievements and keeps me going.
This week I skimped a bit on workouts. I didn’t intend to, but it ended up working for me anyway. Not only was I on vacation, I’d also been suffering from pain in my shins and calves. It took me a while to figure out, but I was tying my sneakers too tightly, which kept muscles, ligaments, tendons and all that good stuff from properly flexing and relaxing. My right shin still hurts a bit, but I think I’m on the road to recovery.
I put my tender limbs to the test yesterday on a 16 mile run that took me from 21st and Poplar to leafy Forbidden Drive along the Wissahickon and back. After Hurricane Hanna ran its course Saturday night, it was a beautiful Sunday morning, the temperature hovering around 70 degrees. Unlike our 14 mile run two weeks ago, this felt far more comfortable and relaxed. We maintained a nine minute mile pace and never really labored, despite having gotten little sleep after Josh and Suzanne’s wedding at the Glen Foerd mansion Saturday night.
Rob and I need to bite the bullet and buy those utility belts you see people jogging with on Kelly Drive. For a run of this distance, it’s a real test (and a little dumb) to not have water between the 2.5 mile mark and 13.5 miles. We’ll get those belts this week. I’m already looking forward to next Sunday’s run!