Easing back in

I'm entering my third week since the half marathon, and I'm enjoying the groove of a daily run with no strings attached. I do 5 on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday; 11 on Saturday; and 5 on Sunday. All 31 miles are easy, with short bursts if I'm feeling frisky.

In Portland, I ran the half on Sunday, and I went out Monday to jog to a couple of parks in the pre-dawn mist. I had planned 4-5 miles, but I took an unintended (but perhaps, subconsciously, intended) shortcut and wound up doing about 3.5. My legs were toast. I finished out the week with 25 miles, but several times pain from shin splints actually made me think twice about going out. I was all healed up by the next week.

After a turkey trot on Thanksgiving Day, I'll start my "Yes, we can" program of faster daily five-milers with one speed session per week.

Don't worry. I practice sustainable running. I still take two days off. And the dog's still getting her walk. And food's still being put on the table.