5 Weeks In

5 Weeks into the training for my 2nd half marathon, and I am feeling great.  This passed weekend I ran in a 4 mile race with an official time of 37:34 which is an average pace of 9:24.  I have to stop at think that one year ago I couldn't even run an entire mile without stopping and at my first 5K last April my pace was 11:38 (finish time of 36:03).  I can almost run 4 miles in the time I could run 3.1.  I feel so much happier and healthier one year later.

Also this weekend I completed a 10 mile run on Sunday.  Again, it is crazy that one year ago I couldn't run a mile and now I ran 4 miles in a race one day and completed 10 miles the next.  My average pace on my long 10 mile run was 10:22- faster than my 5K pace a year ago--and on a training run!  I feel so blessed that I am able to get out and run and continue to improve in my health and athletic abilities.  I will never be the fastest person out there, and I will never win a gold medal at the olympics, but I am just happy that I can get out and run. 

Tomorrow I have to go have a basal cell skin cancer removed.  The doctor said it will need stitches, so I will probably have to take a week off from my running and training.  I did my pace work last night at the track and am going to get my long run in today, and then a short recovery run in the morning before I go to the doctor.  I hope this week off doesn't affect my training.  I think I'll be okay, since I have stuck to the schedule and even done extra as far as the distance runs. 

I still find myself constantly thinking about where and when I will do my next run.  I am constantly searching through new races.  We are signed up for a 7K in March, a half in April and a half in May, so far.  My mom and sis are considering trying their first half in June, so if they do I will run that with them.  I have started looking into the fall and am considering either 2 half marathons or a half and a full.  I have to decide if I will be able to handle training along with our month long trip through Europe. 

Time to get ready for work.  Happy running!  Tonight I'm planning on an 8 miler:)