Breaking the Hour Barrier

If you had told me just two weeks ago that I would be running for an hour without any pain I would have to told you you were crazy. Today when my recovery program hit a snafu in the form of inexplicably locked doors on my gym (and therefore no way to get to a treadmill), I kinda panicked.  But rather than skip my workout altogether, I decided to risk running  outside at the flattest place I know - the local high school track, which was recently refinished with an ultra-high-tech rubber compound surface.

I couldn't have picked a more amazing day for my first run outside in nearly a month.  It was unusually warm this morning - about 75 degrees, and a bit windy.  Oh, it was gorgeous. As ususal, I pretty much had the track to myself.  Minding my form every so carefully, I ran the intervals exactly as Jeff prescribed; 3 minute walking warm up, then increasing time intervals in pairs - 6 and 6,8 and 8 9 and 9 - each followed by 1 minute walking intervals.

Of course, it was much tougher to track my speed without the treadmill and I think I was running much faster than the slow 13.25 pace Jeff insists upon.  I have kind of a pace in my head on this track because this is where I have historically done my speed work.  You know, I have an innate sense about how tong it should take to get around a lap.

So, around 47", I started to feel the knee...at a pain level higher than is comfortable.  But this time I didn't panic.  With Jeff's words ringing in my ears, I took a walk break.  I felt pissed about it, but I did it anyway and lo and behold, after walking two minutes I was able to run another 15 minutes totally pain free!  It worked.  It actually worked!  And of course, I am so ecstatic I don't even have words to express it!

So as this week comes to a close, I look at my Trax Log and I have done over 13 miles this week.  OK,  so it's not my former 25 miles.  But it's definitely a start and I am beginning to build my confidence back.  75% of this is in the head anyway.

Hey, maybe I really CAN do this and prepare for the Marathon in May.

 Yay - it was a good week. ;-)  Two thumbs up for the "walking cure."

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