Welcome Back...

Wow. I spent two weekends ago in Valdosta, Georgia. We met up with my sister's family - -halfway between their house and ours, hence the destination. It was a great time, and I managed to get in a long run on Sunday. (Saturday's run just didn't happen.) It was a good run, but the flat route made me feel like I wasn't getting quite the workout I should.

Came back home Sunday night . . . and left Monday morning for Tampa. I did get in my runs there as well, again by myself, and got home Thursday late night. Again, very flat, very tough to push myself . . .I've gotten too used to the group runs.

Saturday, home again, I just couldn't get up in the morning to run. I was just too worn out from the trip. Like that, I'm now 12 miles back in my training. Tack on a really lousy run on Sunday . . . and I started this week feeling like I've really taken a step back.

Well, today, I went for my Wednesday run with West Stride . . .and all I could think to myself was 'Welcome Back Cotter.' Whew! Faster pace, tough hills - ate me up! And I felt great afterward. I think I needed that to get me back on track. Now I just plan on a great run Saturday....which incidentally will be the longest distance I've ever run at 14 miles. The fact that I'm running with West Stride has me a little worried. At that distance, I don't know if I really need the hills that neighborhood will throw at me, but I'm excited to find out.