So far, so good

My boot came off 4 days ago, and I've waited until today to really get a feel for how my foot is doing.  I ran 5 miles on Thursday morning, and I felt no pain whatsoever, but today was the real test.  I was scheduled to do 16 miles.  I started out at John's house in Mount Airy (it's much easier to do long runs in the country than it is in the city, and since I know the roads around his house very well, that's where I go).  

Getting started wasn't the easiest thing, but after about a mile, I felt like I was getting back into the swing of things pretty well.  Special thanks to John Q, who, an hour and a half into it, drove out to find me, bringing me cold water to fill up my bottle (perfect timing, as my bottle was just about empty).  That may have been some of the best water I've ever had!  

Although I was supposed to do 16 miles, I stopped at 12.  I was at the point where I was finding it difficult to keep my heart rate below 160 (above that, and I'm at risk of going anaerobic, which is really not something I want to do), and I figured that 12 is better than nothing.  The last long run I did was 11 miles, which was 3 weeks ago.  So, 12 isn't bad, considering I haven't seriously trained for several weeks.  

Oh, and my foot?  It feels good.  I'm icing it off and on, just to be sure, but I'm very pleased with the way I feel today.  Of course I'm aching all over from getting back into a running groove... my hips are a bit sore, and my leg muscles are definitely getting worked, but I'm taking the remainder of this day to do nothing but rest (and walk my dog, but that's not exactly something I can put on the back burner... heh).

Okay, people... I'm back!  It's time to take this donation thing seriously.  Remember to donate through this site at the button to the right.  THANK YOU!!!