I ran!

For the first time in a while, though I'm not sure how long since I forgot to check my calendar and I'm now at work, but I ran. And it felt incredible.

We got our new bed on Saturday and, as is typical with me, I didn't sleep well for a couple of nights. Well, it was the bed and everything else :( I never sleep well in a new place. It always takes me a night or two to get used to a new bed. You should have seen me on safari in Africa!!! We stayed at a new lodge every night, I got almost no sleep for 11 days - that was pretty miserable. Anyway, last night was the first night I slept really well.

In spite of not sleeping well the new bed is wonderful. The pillow top is so comfortable yet the bed is so supportive - it's amazing!! I'm a side sleeper and on the old bed by morning one, or both, of my arms would be going numb. With this pillow top there is no numbness - woohoo!!! Also my back has been feeling really, really good and I just realized yesterday my plantar wasn't bothering me. I suspected my plantar was actually related to my back problems, now I'm convinced.

I decided I really need to get back into running and this morning was as good as any to start. Last Friday I ordered a book on running, I forget the name, and the Garmin 305, so that I could get real serious about running again.

This morning's run was only going to be 1/2 hour, slow, easy run. I wanted to test everything and make sure my feeling good was not a hoax. I headed out and immediately noticed a difference. I was running upright, I have a tendency to lean forward. I was not heel striking, something I tend to do when my form is off. My steps were short and light and when I sped up I increased my turnover and not my stride length. About 2 years ago I worked for about 6 months improving my running form. I read up on Chi Running and the Pose Method and really worked on my form. It was at this time I was running so well and really getting faster. Then I got hit with injury after injury. Not only did it sideline me for a long time, I lost my confidence. I've been trying to figure out how to get that back. I think I may have found a way this morning.

I only ran 2 miles in 30 minutes but it felt so good during and after that I'm incredibly pleased with the run. I'm going to run 3 times a week and really work on my speed and form. I'm very excited and very happy with myself. Yeah me!!!