Change of Plans

This is long overdue.  It's been over two months since an update here, and quite a lot has changed.  When last I wrote, I had just recovered from the flu and was resuming my training for the Encinitas Mile.  Things seemed to be moving in the right direction, and I was filled with optimism that I'd still get all my runs in on time to be ready for the race.  For the next week after my last post I got some good runs in, each one just over 2 miles.  Then, on February 6, a mishap at work occurred when my classroom door slammed on my finger.  It was eventually determined that my finger was broken, and I had to stabilize it as best I could for the next couple weeks.  This meant no running.  I was already playing catch-up with my runs after missing some when I was sick, so this setback was especially discouraging.  By the time my finger seemed healed, I had only a few weeks left before the race (which was on March 15), and I felt far from ready.  I knew I wouldn't get all my runs in, and I didn't want to partake in the race if I wasn't physically ready for it.  I made the unfortunate decision to not run the Encinitas Mile.  Too many unforeseen events just derailed all my plans.  Which I suppose is just how life goes, and it makes for a good lesson.  Around the time I decided to forgo the race, Lent started, and my sacrifice was to limit my food intake quite a lot.  Consequently I didn't have much energy each day, and my runs basically became nonexistent.  By the time Lent was over, though, I had dropped over 10 pounds, and I'm currently in a prime spot to start my training again.  Only I now need a new race.  I've been on the lookout for one, and as soon as I find it my plan is to make a 100% re-commitment to my running, and this time hope for a successful outcome.  So far 2015 is off to a bumpy start, but hopefully that'll change soon.  In the mean time, below is a brief rundown of the last few runs I went on before injuring myself and temporarily throwing in the towel:

Wednesday, January 28, 2015:
Distance: 2.05 miles
Time: 22:58
Location: Sitting Bull and back

Saturday, January 31, 2015:
Distance: 2.04 miles
Time: 21:49
Location: Yucca Loma to Kasanka Trail and back

Monday, February 2, 2015:
Distance: 2.2 miles
Time: 21:29
Location: Sitting Bull and back

Wednesday, February 4, 2015:
Distance: 2.08 miles
Time: 24:18
Location: Yucca Loma to Kasanka Trail and back

And here's a picture of Nathan, who accompanied me on my Jan. 31 run.  :)