Start time: 1/27/07, 8:00am
Location: W&OD Trail
Distance: 4 miles & 4 miles
Run:Walk ratio: 5:1 & 1 minute per mile
Average pace: 10:35min/mile & 8:45min/mile

It’s been a while since I’ve been out there running; a combination of being stuck at work the last couple of times my Tues/Thurs night running group has been out, and just feeling tired and not up for it last Saturday. So, reluctantly, I hauled myself out of bed today. I knew the lack of running would make things hard; I’d at least hit the cycling class each Wednesday but that was it. I headed out with Carla, Randy, Chanty, and two of their pace group friends from 2006. It was a nice four miles out, and Carla and I spent most of it chatting. (I was also amused that Carla and Randy last week were apparently plotting for me to coach them this spring. Ha! I can already hear the snorts of derision from the peanut gallery.)

Once we hit the turn-around point, the rest of them decided to use the bathrooms at Barcroft and I headed back. The original plan was just to run straight through on the way home, but after about half a mile I realized it probably wouldn’t happen; that whole “not running in a while” thing catching up with me. Once I hit that first mile a little too fast (8:11, oops) I knew it would end not so well if I didn’t slow myself down. So from that point on I took a one minute walk break at each mile marker, and that worked well, still averaging an 8:45 for the return trip. It sure did feel nice to get back out there, though. Hopefully this upcoming week I can continue to do so!