Back to Running and Pizza

Many of you who have been reading my blog for some time know that I am a runner.  I'm into fitness and exercising in general, but I've been running for about 13 years.  I've run a full marathon (26.2 miles) and two half marathons (13.1 miles), and numerous 5K's.  After running the Rock N Roll San Diego Half Marathon last year, my legs needed a break.  I had been running long runs for a year and a half consecutively, and my IT band on my right leg was injured.  I took a break.  It wasn't too much better.  So toward the end of the year I started going to six weeks of physical therapy.  That ended in January.  Since then, I've had a couple of colds, and a major sinus infection that caused headaches and lasted for about three weeks.  I'm finally feeling better!

All that is to say... I'm SO happy I went out yesterday and ran three miles.  I had been walking / jogging, but I haven't pushed myself at all to run.  Yesterday I decided it was time to test out the ole' legs and start again.  We went to our favorite route on the coast of Cardiff again.



It was an overcast day and the ocean appeared green instead of the usual blue.


I've never noticed this carved statue made out of a dead tree before, and I come here a lot!


I just kept pushing on, only walking a little bit. I'm not in great cardio-vascular shape right now, so I could hear myself huffing and puffing, but I continued. When I finished my run, Todd was stretching and waiting for me, and the sun came out! :)

Where: Cardiff/Encinitas
Distance: 3.01 miles
Time: 34:50
Avg min/mile: 11:35

Not very good time, but at this point I'm happy with it. My time will improve again after running more consistently. Today my legs are slightly sore. I stretched yesterday and will continue to stretch it out today.

After running, we went to our favorite pizza place, Bongiornos, for lunch. I had a salad and one piece of pizza.



Todd had more pizza than me. :p


After I got out of the shower, I saw Noodle taking a nap on our bed. I couldn't help but go get my camera. Oh the cuteness.

All spread out and comfy.


Aww Christine, not ANOTHER photo!  I'm sleepy!


Leave me alone!