I'm Back!

Guess who's back?

Back again.

Maddy's back!

Tell a friend.

(Inspired by some Eminem song)

February was a miserable month mileage-wise for me. The beginning of the month was busy and I was having a hard time finding (or making) the time to run.

The middle of the month brought me to San Diego for business and I was able to only run a little more than three miles while I was there.

And then the flu.

It was frustrating to have the desire but not the ability. The lack of miles was not due to a loss of mojo, but rather the chest congestion and coughing that kept me away.

This past week, I was able to get in six miles. My days are feeling busier and busier - I may need to revisit the early morning run to make sure I am able to get my runs in. I didn't sweat it too much last week because I wanted to be sure that I was healthy.

Today, I feel like it's as good as it's going to get and with some races ahead, including the Winter Park Road Race in less than a month I was feeling like I needed to get back to it.

My run, on the treadmill (David will scold me for staying inside on such a beautiful day)started with some doubt. It had been a while since I had run long. Had I lost any fitness? How far would I be able to go without feeling like I was going to die?

I went into the run with a goal in mind, but I was leaving it open to see how I felt. I ended up reaching the goal I set for myself. I ran ten miles in 1:28:29. I was feeling it when I was done. After logging my run on breakingthetape.com and checking out some of my Nike+ challenges, my quads were really feeling those ten miles.

I took some sage advice I received last year from David and I stood in the cold pool for about five minutes and followed with a cool(er) shower.

I'm excited to feel healthy and for being able to complete those ten miles today. I am looking forward to the rest of the year and all of the races I have planned. Now the plan includes staying healthy and continuing the quest to faster race times!