This is Much More Like It! :) 6K

6K @ 47:11

Avg. Pace 7:44 min/km

0 degrees Celsius

Today I am once again a happy camper! :)

I headed back to Springbank Park again, but parked in a different parking lot so that I could run on a different path. I was keeping my fingers crossed that my run would go well after yesterday's ego-bruising run. I slept very well last night, the gorgeous sun was shining again, and it was much warmer without the wind. I took one dog along with me - Kim, the German Shepherd - because he is the easiest to run with.

However, the first 2K were once again very tough - the path was mainly soft slush and slippery in sections. I started regretting choosing my parking area and thinking that today's run was going to be a repeat of yesterday's. My first 2K:

1K 7:47

2K 8:11

Once again, it was not much fun and frustrating.

But then a small miracle happened! The path became clear - no slush, no soft snow. Kim and I could run decently. I did not bother checking my Garmin for pace, instead choosing to trust myself to run at a comfortable pace. It was so so so nice to finally get into a bit of runner's groove - running without thinking about the running, but letting my mind wander to other things. The park was quiet except for a few other runners and several walkers. There were enough dry pavement spots inbetween snow and slush for everyone to enjoy the day.

My results:

3K 7:25

4K 7:27

5K 7:33

6K 7:28

I am feeling very good about this. My pace is faster than expected after such a long break, and I needed this ego boost! :) The important thing is that it felt good, too. It makes me feel a little more hopeful that it will not take as much time to get back to my previous running ... it still is going to take time, and I am going to err on the side on being conservative in getting to that point, but at least I am at a better level than I was at this time last year.

On a side note, I wore my purple running shoes and there is a distinct difference between them and my new ones. I truly "get" why it is strongly recommended that you have a minimum of two pairs to switch between; it took a sore achilles tendon to make me look at my running shoes. I have already officially retired my wonderful old green ones that got me through 2010, but sadly, the purple ones may only have a few more runs left in them.

I am going to try to run tomorrow if weather permits, but the forecast does not look great. I may need to take the day off tomorrow and try running on Friday instead. But for now, all I care about is my ability to fulfill my goal of running a 5K race this Sunday, and starting a new running schedule next week. Right now I am eyeing the "5K in 30 minutes" plan from my pR book because I can start it now whereas I am no longer at the level that I was at when I started the "10K in 1 hour" plan last November.