Back in the saddle....

....even though the metaphorical saddle might still be a little tight-fitting.  My fitness situation is definitely on the upswing.  For the past two weeks, I've gotten up before 5:30 am to work out at least three days a week. (and a few of those times, I actually made it to my gym for a class!) 

I've also finished a couple of new runs around my neighborhood.  Well....the first one, I didn't exactly "finish" per se, because I dropped my directions and got lost....so I ended up running thirty minutes in one direction then turning around and running back--much more boring than the originally run I had planned, but at least I got a solid hour of work in.

My second run was better, at least directionally.  The road I now live on goes in one big loop, for about 4.8 miles, so if I stay on that road, then I knew I couldn't possibly get lost.  It was a challenging run though.  My new neighborhood, I'm finding out, while not mountainous, is quite hilly. I've been running lots of ups and downs....hopefully that will help me get ready for the infamously hilly Baltimore Marathon (in under two months....yikes!)   I can tell this running-sabbatical I've been on this summer has really taken a toll on my cardiovascular skills.  I still felt good at the end of my run, but I definitely could feel the run being more challenging than I'm used to. 

That's one of the problems with stopping a workout regimen and then trying to begin again:  I want to be at the same level of performance I was in the early spring, and instead, I'm having to work much harder to get back there.  It's slightly frustrating, but I keep trying to tell myself that my muscles remember and they will adapt, I just have to keep plugging away. 

The second problem with trying to get back into my routine is the feeling of impending injury.  I am by no means a hypochondriac, but I am aware of the dangers of over-training, and of doing "too much, too soon."  I've had tendinitis in my knee before, as well as ITBS and some weird foot-issues from running too far before I was ready.  Knowing all this makes me acutely aware of any sort of weird or random pains I might be feeling during my runs. I don't want to be a sissy (I mean, I do have to get my butt ready for the marathons I have planned this fall/winter) but at the same time, I don't want to try and "push through" a pain that maybe is significant, or my body trying to tell me something.  So far, so good....knock on wood. I've had some minor pain in my calf....but hopefully it will disappear and I'll be able to push through.

Last "growing pain" of getting pack in the saddle: weight gain, even though my diet and my exercise regimen is improving.  I hope/know it's probably muscle weight coming back on, but it's still very discouraging to be working hard again, and see the numbers on the scale going UP and not down....Its frustrating. 

But, at least it feels good to be back in my routine, and to be working on my fitness goals again.  My new job right now is incredibly busy until after Labor Day, but hopefully in September, I can ramp up the effort even more, and prepare as much as possible for my upcoming marathons!

To help motivate me in my preparations,  I've picked out my running costume for the Rock & Roll Las Vegas Marathon in December....obviously will need to add sneakers, sports bra, and brunette hair!