Back In The Brooks

This past week marked my official return to running. I did three 3-mile walk-runs on Teddy Tready, all after Isaac went to sleep. That is not my preferred timeslot, but with no Mother's Day Out just yet, I don't have much of a choice (other than naptime, which didn't work out well this week).

I did the first one at 1:2 (one minute running, two minutes walking). I averaged 15:14 per mile. Fine by me! I have no access to cable TV in our detached garage, and I don't really like watching DVD's, so I just listened to running podcasts. It was great to feel "connected" again.

Attempt number two was 1:1 at 14:31. I felt like I had a lot left in the tank after only running for one minute, but after taking 103 days off, I didn't dare push too hard. No need! I mean, I have *gulp* twenty weeks until marathon #7.

Attempt number three was a combination of sorts, but a lot of it was done by running 1:30 and walking 1:00. I averaged 13:49 that time. Pretty darn good! I actually felt a wee bit of muscle fatigue after that one, though (which was actually kind of nice).

I am proud of my nine mile week. I have to admit, though, that I do wonder if I can pull it all together in twenty weeks. I know the whole "muscle memory" thing is huge, but at this point I feel nervous about it. The good news is that my homegrown, Hanson-inspired training schedule has received the seal of approval (after some tweaking) from my trusted sources (who have yet to fail me). Here goes nothin'!!!