A New Year

So, again, it's been a while. I think this might be an unfortunate trend since I'm never good at publicly sharing my thoughts... but I am so excited for this new year.

Last year I ran more than I have ever run, gone from a person who occasionally runs to a runner. I think this might be a more sustainable hobby for me than frisbee (after all, you only need one to run, but you need 13 others to play a good ultimate game, something my team could rarely conjure up for practices) but I can't leave my love for frisbee behind. Winter league starts on Wednesday, I believe. That's incredible! I can't wait. And I got sidetracked.

Anyway, the point is that I want to run more this year. More frequently, longer distances, you name it. And that includes a half marathon with Jess.

I've now started extending my long runs to be 60 minutes at least, with my furthest so far today at 73 (7.8 miles!). That was an incredible feeling to have accomplished that. I discovered more of my town than ever before because, hey, when else have I gone 3.5 miles there and then back again through side streets. But I found a route that has side walks the whole way, which I'm super pumped for.

Now I just need to figure out this joint-pain thing. All seems well and good until a certain point in my run (it came around 55 minutes last long run, about 35 this time) when the outsides of my hips start to ache, then my hip flexors. And sometimes knees, too. There's an injury clinic at Fleet Feet this Saturday that I won't make, but again on the 22nd that I will try to check out. Maybe they can give me insight as to whether I just have the totally wrong shoes or if there is something I can do with my stride. Or if I've been cursed with my mom's joints, making this a painful goal.

Either way, although I can still feel my knees 8 hours after my run, I'm so excited I ran almost 8 miles. This is going to be a great year.