Nelson to Sullivan

Warm sunny afternoon (for February) -- too good to pass up.  My legs have really been bothering me and was very hesitant about attempting, but the distance seemed reasonable to try and the longer I put it off the worse my conditioning gets.

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Nancy generously was up for the impromptu run.  I tried running with my iPhone to hear music, but no cell coverage .... so no music.  Bummer, but part of my motivation is to experience the uniqueness of the surroundings of each run so can't complain.  I was hoping, however, that Coldplay could help get me going.

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Started very slow as my right knee (front and back) and top of calf have been bothering me.  I'm a running wreck - at least as far as my legs go.  I didn't want to have a pull or strain stop me in my tracks.  I was creaky on the way down Nelson Rd, but by the time I got to Granite Lake (2 miles) I felt my legs loosen up.

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The middle 3rd was my typical 9:10 pace which was nice to see and feel.  When I got to the CAT 4 hill at Centre St I realized my conditioning has suffered with my recent rest and lack of running.  What was interesting was that my legs weren't bothering, it was more my energy level and breathing.  I moved at about a 12 minute pace past sheep and goats as I climbed the hill .... slowly.

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This wasn't the hardest of stretches I've seen, but it was one of my toughest as I just wasn't feeling in running shape to tackle.  I really hope I can get back to running 3 or 4 times per week at about 20 miles without pain (.... future self 10 months later .... it gets worse before it gets better as you wind up taking all of March off, your average pace drifts down to 10 mins/mile and you get out 2 or 3 times a week for about 15 miles .... on the bright side - you heal up, feel better, legs improve and you enjoy difficult runs).

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I feel surprisingly good afterwards as I sit here writing and drinking a Jack's Abby.  I did run with a knee brace today.  Seemed to help.  I'll know better tomorrow how this went.  So true - there seems to be more of a delayed effect with aging on how my body responds to difficult runs.