Off to a Slow Start

I suppose this is my first official run after finishing up PT for my knee, and the good news is my knee is still in pretty good shape afterwards.  However this run involved a lot of walking and won’t be setting any speed records, but that’s oaky.

My main purpose in running is to aid my mental health.  Considering this and the fact I’m coming off an injury and a cold, and hucking up a loogie every mile or so, no pace is too slow today.  14 minute miles?  No problem.

Although I don’t really “run” a 14-minute mile.  I run a sub-10 pace for a bit, then walk a 17-minute pace for a while.  Rinse, lather, repeat.  This is actually what my long and/or easy runs should be at this point.  Unless I’m having a fantastic day, my recovery pace is walking up a slight hill.

I’m suspicious the my injury is the result of me trying to run a steady 12-minute pace, instead of doing the run/walk thing.  Running slower than what feels natural just seems to be an invitation to poor form and injury.  So I’m planning to do my own ad/hoc run/walk plan.  Jeff Galloway might be proud.

As I’ve got no major races planned for 2014, I think I’ll take this opportunity to train by getting out on my feet and running or walking at whatever pace puts me at a good, easy training effort.  Perhaps I’ll be able to cover the entire midstate trail this way, or cover my commute from work to home in 5 mile segments.  There’s lots of opportunities to amuse myself why simply moving on my feet.

And finally, what seems to work for me right now is getting out for some quality time and distance no matter what the speed.  I’d rather walk 8 miles in two hours than run 6 miles in one hour, and I’ll probably feel fresher afterwards, have burnt more fat, and have less systemic inflammation.  It’s my experiment of one.  Stay tuned for the results.