Friday, January 9, 2015

A Fresh Start

Time off has officially ended...not just winter break, but running-wise as well. I wanted to get this year started on the right foot, so January 1 I met up with Kristin and we had a nice four-mile run in the evening. It was my second 4-miler that week.
A very blurry (and green?) photo...first run of the year and we both just happened to wear our GGM tanks!
After time off, it used to be that I'd start all over. I'd run no more than two miles and take ages to build back up. But it seems in the last year or so, four miles has become my comfortable minimum. I'll run fewer if necessary, but I like to push for four.

Maybe how quickly I lose fitness is partially in my head.

Anyway, I started the first full week of the year by running another four, this time with Matt. I compared my last three runs and was pleasantly surprised by the results.
Last run of 2014.
First run of 2015 (with Kristin).
My most recent run.
Running with someone versus running alone may be partially to credit for this increase in speed, but when I ran with Matt he was comfortable going slow and I purposely ramped up the pace in each mile I just wanted to test my legs. (And he stopped at 3 miles; I ran the last one by myself and it was my fastest. It was nice to run sub-10 again!)
So...let's ignore my REALLY TERRIBLE POSTURE and focus instead of my super glowy shoes!
My new headband matches these shorts perfectly!
The good news is that my lungs felt great. The bad news is that my knees and hips are a little mad at me and I should remember not to overdo it too soon. (I may have been a bit overzealous about my IT band exercises this week.)

I also started the year with a batch of new headbands, which is super motivating!
I think I own too much neon pink and yellow...if that's possible.
Matchy-matchy!
I definitely feel a renewed sense of purpose and a sense of longing. I miss being fast. (Relative term, I know.) I'm excited to see progress and to stick with it.

I was hoping to know by the end of this week if I'll be comfortable running a full in February, but as of right now I still haven't decided.

Besides seeing some progress so soon, and getting running goodies in the mail, here's another mood-booster I got this week:
I've officially been a runner for five years! And to think, I used to swear I'd never run! That's all the proof I need that any goal is attainable as long as we're willing to put in the work.

How has your first week of January been?
What are your favorite colors to run in?
How long have you been running?

ABK

16 comments:

  1. Nice job! I need to start pushing for longer distances...for some reason 2 miles is my go-to distance now and I need to bump it up! I'm so jealous you can run outside in a tank top...it is FREEZING up here in Philly! Congrats on 5 years on Nike+! I started using it when I got my watch for Christmas 2013 year, and I love it! This year marks 4 years of running for me :)

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    1. We finally got another cold front...it's been in the low 50s and high 40s this week in the mornings. I'm glad Florida finally remembered it's winter!

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  2. Congrats on your five year run-a-versary!

    Looking at your comparison of the first three runs of the year is super motivating. It makes me want to get out and run right now!

    I don't think I have set colors I like to run in, but I like when my outfit matches my shoes. Since my shoes are currently pink and white I've been buying a lot of pink tops!

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    1. I tend to gravitate toward bright, neon colors...they make me feel faster!

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  3. 5 years- congratulations! You look like a neon streak running! I don't have a lot of running clothes. I tend to wear the same ones over and over. There's a lot of black.

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    1. I have my favorites I wear over and over too! I have so many running clothes I rarely wear.

      I try to avoid black because I tend to run in the dark and I like to be visible, but I do like black bottoms as a usual rule.

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  4. Congrats!!! The first week was awesome!! Apart from the crappy temps!! I love running in all colors! I like bright things though so people can see me coming! <--safety first!
    I used to wrong a long long time ago....but in adulthood I have only been running for 7 months!!!

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    1. I like wearing bright colors for visibility too! Plus they make me feel faster lol.

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  5. Happy 5 years! You are making awesome progress! It's amazing what time can do for you. Four miles is also my usual minimum. I feel like it takes me longer to get ready than to actually run if I do less than that. But some days, I just cannot fathom going over 5k. That's when strength training comes into play! I can't wait to read about your 2015 running year. It's already starting off with a bang!

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    1. Agreed, sometimes just doing a mile feels like an accomplishment lol!

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  6. 5 years! Nice work! The pink and yellow combination is really fun too. I wish I could get it together to have cute workout clothes. Maybe next year when I'm done with all of the house renovations.

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    1. I buy a lot of my stuff on sale or at TJ MAXX. I'm so addicted to running clothes, I need to find them cheap! lol

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  7. Can I just say how confusing it is to see you running in a tank top and shorts outside? :) Sitting here in the deep freeze of Canada I forget that some people are lucky enough to have nice, warm weather 95% of the time. ;) Made me extremely jealous lol.
    -Ashley

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    1. Ha, yeah it's been in the low-60s lately. I wouldn't mind it getting into the 40s, but I don't know how people run in frigid winter temps. That's hardcore!

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  8. I love the neon!! I'm getting kinda bold in my color and pattern selection...I think it's fun and one of the few occasions you can really wear funky fun stuff! Happy 5 Year Runniversary!! :D

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    1. Working out does provide the perfect excuse to wear crazy patterns and colors!

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