Still a runner...

I knew I should have posted last night after I got back from my run and was feeling good! I definitely had that elusive runner's high and should have tried to capture it on the blog so that I could revisit it when things weren't going so well...like tonight.

I've been doing a lot of thinking about what to do next - to run or not to run. And, if the answer is to run - why? what for? K and I talked about our running "interests" last night...I specifically used the term interests rather than goals. Mine? I would like to run the Silicon Labs Marathon Relay. Why? Because it's a fun event to do with my friends. I would like to do the Distance Challenge again. Why? Because it's exciting and challenging. It IS the epitome of fall running in Austin.

But, something has to change. I have not been successful fully committing to marathon training this year for a variety of reasons. I was the most successful with my running when I was first starting out, didn't really know enough to have significant performance expectations, and ran for enjoyment with my friends. I think that's what I need to get back to right now.

I am not in BQ shape for Austin right now. I accept that. I know that I can (and will) get back to that though. And, I think that this is the way that I need to do that. The only way that I can see myself being successful with the marathon right now is to completely let go of a time goal (well, maybe not completely, but definitely not an aggressive goal) so that I don't beat myself up to have a perfect run every time I walk out the door.

I also need to run less mileage per week. I did just fine in the "beginner" program running 4-5 days a week and cross-training 1-3 days. I do not want to be running 10-12 miles several times a week for my "easy" weekday runs. It's just too much for me, mentally and physically. When I talked with Ruth about my running goals at the beginning of the summer, she even told me that I am a new enough runner that I probably don't need the very high mileage...she said that is generally a "last resort" for those runners who are trying to get faster and haven't made the gains with other strategies such as strength training and speedwork.

So, here it is. I am officially a runner again. A runner in training at that. Now, what that "training" looks like has yet to be determined. But, it started with a couple of easy 4 mile runs this week. After all, you have to start again somewhere...