week six.

My fingers are crossed that this week was the start of a positive trend.

I was able to log a run or more every day of the week save one.  I was pain-free and didn't even experience any of the stiffness I often do on back-to-back days (especially mornings after evening runs).  I felt strong over sustained distances and quick-footed on shorter runs.

I'd still like to inch up my mileage a bit by getting in longer runs and with greater frequency.  With daylight showing its slow, subtle growth towards Spring and with temperatures hopefully beginning to creep upwards, I expect that early morning runs will become easier (and safer) to accomplish.

In the meantime, here are the stats:

Monday, February 7 - Run to work at decent pace - Felt good despite two hard-running days beforehand.

Monday, February 7 - PM Run home - Slight fatigue but no pain.

Wednesday, February 9 - Set the alarm for 5:30 but sat bolt upright before 5:00, ready to run - Pleased to run steady 8:05 pace throughout cold, windy loop in farmlands west of Manheim.

Thursday, February 10 - In contrast to day prior, I decided to really push th pace for the first time this year - Stoked to manage a sub-7:00 pace on the run home from work.

Friday, February 11 - Decided to push again and ran 6:34 pace from home to work - Been awhile since I've covered 3 miles in under 20 minutes.

Saturday, February 12 - Purposely ran slow/controlled after the preceding days but felt strong throughout.

Sunday, February 13 - Slow, steady early morning run on the Horseshoe Trail in packed ice and snow - Included a new variation that added some extra climbing - Fun run.

Sunday, February 13 - Returned to the Horseshoe Trail a few hours later to search for the car key I'd managed to lose on the morning run - Found it perched in the snow about 2.5 miles in and felt good enough to keep going - More heavy footing but the legs felt great (especially after finding the key).