Sprinting

Today is not my usual day for running. For the past 3-4 weeks I have established my routine as Tuesday/Thursday/Saturday for running and either resting or cross training on the other days. Except Sunday. Sunday is my church and family day, no exceptions. So today was quite a shock when, after putting my daughter down for her nap and dashing to the store for some essentials (don't call child social services - my husband works from home so our daughter was not left unattended), I had the urge to run. Weird. I figured I should go ahead and give in to the craving since I am a fledgling runner and probably need all the help and experience I can get. Not to mention that the hips will be better off for it in the long run (every pun intended there...)

I decided to do a quick 1 mile run. After discussing with my husband yesterday, I decided to try my new plan. I have a bad right knee (from volleyball, cheerleading and basketball during jr. high and high school - I didn't always used to be fat :) so usually jogging makes it sore after awhile. I decided, though, to try sprinting and taking longer strides so my body was doing a more forward motion than the up and down associated with jogging. I also decided that I would walk, sprint, walk, sprint.

I donned my coat and gloves (it was snowing/raining = slushing) and set out. I decided not to set time limits for each leg of the journey. I would sprint when I was ready and then walk when I needed. As I walked up to my front door I reflected on the experience today. Conclusions:

It went pretty well. Instead of an 18 minute-ish mile I did a 15 minute-ish mile. My knee feels pretty good and I feel great about my run. Am I skipping tomorrow? Absolutely not. I may have to push myself out the door but I'll worry about that tomorrow. For today, I feel great.