Talking the Talk, Running the Walk

Bryony and I have rediscovered our inner athletes. Back in September, a coworker and I registered for a local 5K race, which motivated me to get back into a jogging regime. It's been awhile since I've been a consistent runner. My last few years living in NYC I ran everyday after work, and then ran in all of the weekend races in Central Park with the New York City RoadRunners Club. Moving to Michigan and experiencing the very cold winters put a halt to my running enthusiasm. I've stopped and started sporadically over the last nine years, but last summer, while living in Texas, I bought a jogging stroller, determined to return to my former fit self. Bryony and I jogged the 1/2-mile loop around our apartment complex every night, then discovered a local park with an even bigger loop and lots of nature surrounding us. For some reason, though, upon returning to Michigan earlier this year, our running stopped yet again.

But now we're back in business. So far, we've run the Cooley 5K Race for Education in downtown Lansing, and the Michigan State University Dino Dash 5K. Tomorrow night I will run (stroller-free, while a friend watches Bryony for me) in the Howell Headless Horseman 5K race. It's an evening race, and participants are encouraged to dress in costume (I likely will not...). I feel like I'm back in the frame of mind I had when running consistently in my New York City days--not feeling obligated to run, but feeling excited to do it. I think having the goals of completing the races is what drives me to train during the week. Plus, it's nice to have quality time with Bryony outside...she sings and talks to me while I run, which in some ways, gives me the inspiration I need to keep going.

Now, does anyone have advice for preventing sore knees?