Still plugging away, rebuilding my base

“Great works are performed not by strength, but by perseverance.” – Samuel Johnson

I’m making progress. Just a month ago, I couldn’t run 100 yards without stopping. Now, I’m up to a bit over two miles.

I went out this morning and pushed the distance a bit more. That’s what I do on Saturdays, go a bit further, a bit harder, as I try to rebuild my base.

It was a blustery, chilly morning. But I enjoyed the crisp air and after a minute or two, I adjusted to the wind.

Here’s my run at a glance:

* Started and ended at 77th and Cree. One loop of Arrowhead Estates, two loops of Royal Pines.

* I pushed the distance to 2.2 miles, up from the 2 miles I’ve been running all week.

* For the first time in ages, I ran farther than one mile without stopping. I actually ran the full 2.2 miles non-stop.

* I added more gentle hills into the course.

Yes, in the big picture, the distance seems modest.

But it’s my rookie year, all over again. And I’m thrilled. If I keep at it, I’ll have my base back in a month or two, ready to do some longer runs and races.

I have to take little steps like a rookie. I have to be patient like a rookie. I have to stay excited and motivated like a rookie.

The one thing I can’t do is make any rookie mistakes. And that list is long:

* Doing too much, too soon.

* Not stretching and icing my legs twice a day.

* Not drinking enough.

* Jumping into the race scene before I’m ready.

* Getting sloppy with form.

* Wearing old shoes or wrong clothes.

* Overtraining, overstriding, overeating, over-everthing.

* Getting over-confident or under-confident.

* Not listening to my body.

* Doing someone else’s workout.

* Losing sight of the goal.

Of course, I’ve made all these mistakes and others plenty of times over the years.

But with my injury, the margin for error is tiny. I can’t make dumb mistakes.

It’s time to be Rookie of the Year. Not the guy back on the bench, rubbing his leg and wondering what went wrong.

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