My Slowest and Best Three Miles

Fortunately I've been more consistent about running than blogging, though I recently strained my hamstring again for the fourth time in six months. Bummed at the thought of missing race day next month, I've been in a funk these last few days. Determined to do anything active today, I went for a walk. After several minutes, I started to walk a little faster. Which turned into a slow jog. And then a slow run. Altogether I strung three miles together in 34:42. Not my proudest speed, but I was just grateful to get both feet off the ground and not be in pain. In fact, I've been grateful all day and can't stop smiling - this was the best three slowest miles of my life! It reminds me of an incident several years ago while I was driving, when a speeding drunk driver crashed into my side. My vehicle was wrecked, but I was just ecstatic that my wife - my girlfriend at the time - and I were alive and ok. Life affects us in funny ways.

I've tried to keep careful records of each training run, but in the end, does any of this really matter? It's good to have goals, but ultimately I'm just grateful to be mobile and not be in pain. Anyhow, in the spirit of good record keeping, my recent training runs broken down by week, all on treadmill unless otherwise noted:

Feb. 22: Five miles: 2 mile warm up, 4 x 800 m (3:00, 3:00, 3:00, 2:53) 2 minute recovery jogs.

Feb. 25: Four miles in 27:49 (7:05, 6:58, 6:58, 6:48)

Feb. 27: Five miles outdoors: 1/2 mile warm-up, (6:40, 8:10, 8:25, 7:35), 1/2 mile cool-down

Mar. 2: Four miles in 28:45 (7:40, 7:25, 7:15, 6:25)

Mar. 5: Four miles: 2 mile warm up, 3 X 800 m (3:00, 2:58, 2:56) 2 minute recovery jogs Mar. 7: Five miles outdoors (1/2 mile warm up, 6:45, 6:10, 9:30, 7:05, 1/2 cool down)

Mar. 9: Four miles: 2 mile warm up, 3 X 800 (3:00, 2:58, 2:56) two minute recovery jogs Mar. 11: Four miles: 7:55, 7:53, 4 X 400 m (89 sec., 88, 87, 82) with two minute recovery jogs

Mar. 13: Four miles in 27:22 (7:05, 6:58, 6:52, 6:27)

Mar. 17: Four miles: 2 mile warm up, 3 X 800 m (3:00, 2:57, 2:53) two minute recovery jogs

Mar. 20: Three miles in 21:07 (8:08, 6:34, 6:25)

Mar. 22: Five miles: 7:38, 7:24, 4 x 400 (89, 87, 90, 89) two minute recovery jogs, 6:23

Mar. 24: Five miles outdoors: 1/2 mile warm-up, four miles (6:15, 6:50, 8:50, 8:35, 1/2 mile cool down)

Mar. 26: 1 mile warm up, then sprained my hamstring while accelerating

Mar. 30: Three miles in 34:42