Running Aimlessly Around the Countryside

I've been easing back into running for the last 2 weeks. My physical therapist gave me a return to running plan that started with walk/run combinations and finally this week switched to a full run. The plan has been working well for the tendonitis but has really revealed how much my fitness level has dropped. That really surprised me since I was dedicated to getting to the gym and using the cardio machines when I couldn't run. So what do you do when you have been on the roads for two weeks and have run one time for 25 minutes? Sign up and run a 5k! I really didn't have much of a choice. Today was the Z-run, our local 5k that supports the local schools. If you are a long time reader, you might remember that I won my age group last year. However, that was then and this is now. Last year I was base building and training to pace Jil through her first running half marathon.  This year, I had 2 weeks of running under my belt and had just spent the week fighting either severe se...

In the last week I've finally been able to begin running again after what is basically a 3 month layoff. I've started an advanced return to running progression that my physical therapist gave me. It begins with some walk/run combinations to ease back into the effort. If all goes well, over the course of 7 weeks I will be able to run for about an hour. If it wasn't for the fact that I am on the roads at all, it would be somewhat discouraging, but the fact is, I am on the roads. The good news is that my knee feels good while I'm running, although my left knee (from the injury when I was 14) as been a aggravated by some of the strengthening exercises. I do still feel a little soreness when I'm still for longer periods, but I can definitely sense progress. The worst part is my fitness. While my legs are holding up for about 3 miles in 30 minutes, my lungs are screaming. I don't think it matters what cross-training you do, there is a specificity requirement to perf...