Time to run again

I need to start running again.

Unlike last winter (when I stupidly sprained my ankle and ended up on crutches), I didn't actually stop running all together. But I haven't exactly been hitting the gym often enough to make a real effort either.

Winter is hard for that. I really don't like running on a treadmill. I wouldn't come right out and say I hate it -- because it does have a few minor advantages, such as managing my speed and pushing myself to go faster. It's easy to do when all you have to do is set the speed and run at that speed. If you slow down, you fall off.

But other than that, treadmill running is boring. Even with music on, it's boring. There's nothing to look at but myself in the mirror or other people working out. And that gets boring quick. And when I get bored, I get tired. And when I get tired, it's very difficult to convince myself to go on.

When I get tired while running along the sidewalk, I find something to distract me -- flower gardens, houses, cars, whatever is around to look at is more interesting than looking at yourself in the mirror.

So needless to say, I haven't run all that much this winter. But when I have, I've managed to stay at a steady 5 to 6 km effort. (And hey, I've done it a little bit faster each time!)

But this May (May 1 to be exact) I really want to run in the Sporting Life 10K down Yonge St. I wanted to run in it last year, but being on crutches for much of January kinda killed any illusions that I could do it. But I really want to do that run this year. It  just sounds like fun -- running straight down Yonge Street with 12,000 other people.

So, although I haven't yet signed up, I've decided to start commiting to training again. That means getting out and running twice a week, and by April, 3 times a week. I'd like to run it faster than 74 minutes (my time at the Zoo Run last October), but really, I just want to run it.

So here's hoping the weather starts to improve soon so that I can once again go back to running outside. Because knowing me, if I run outside before the ice, slush and muck is gone, I'll manage to slip, fall and end up on crutches again.