I ran 5 miles this morning at an 11 minute per mile pace. It was an easy training run down a country road, before it got too HOT. We're experiencing an early June heat wave here in Georgia, so I've decided to start all of my runs no later than 7:30 AM.
Well, my run was great and relaxing. As I ran, I began thinking about my return to running six years ago. I had never really quit, but I was not really on a schedule. What I discovered was the reality that I was not really in shape.
I remember moving risers to set up for a performance in Monticello and being so winded that my students did most of the setup because they knew I was out of shape. I remember sitting down and feeling the pain in my knees making it difficult to stand from a low chair. I did not dare sit on the floor, because I would often need help to stand.
No problems with that now! Running has changed too. I'm now able to train at an easy pace of 11 minutes per mile and feel relaxed while doing this. I still remember taking 1 hour and 10 minutes to complete the distance I ran this morning in 56 minutes. I have knocked 10 minutes off of my 5k time and at least 20 minutes off of my 10k time.
I have learned the value of speed work and hill training. I understand the value of rest and slow recovery runs. I'm still working on the idea of cross training. I think I'll bike 8 miles tomorrow. I did that last week on a non-running day and it didn't seem to hurt or take up too much time.
In the music world, we all know that practicing regularly and appropriately will improve our performance. I am beginning to realize that running requires regular and appropriate practice as well.
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