Finding Purpose

2011 was great. 2012 was not. Concussion. Broken toe. Messed up ankle. Weight gain. ...there hasn't been a whole lot of running going on. I've been running for 2 weeks now after a break of 2 months while my ankle got better. It's still not great but I can run. I've had two weeks of about 25 miles each. The ankle won't be a limiting factor. Being out of shape will limit my speed quite a bit and will limit my volume for a bit, but can't limit the frequency of my running.

I've had a lot of time to think. Of course a lot of the time, I've felt like I was never going to get back to running or at least not near the level I was at last year. But I'm not going down that road. I've thought about the things I love about running & what it means. Can I run 17:52 for 5K or 3:08 for marathon like I did last year? Can I win a 50K like I did last year? No. Not now. Does that matter? Yeah, kinda. But what's more important- running 17:52 or the enjoyment of running and seeing beautiful things in nature?

I do need something to work towards. I can't just get out there and run everyday with no goal. I can't. I sat down this weekend and figured out a few race options for the next 4 months... still thinking, but I have a few options. Pretty sure these plans will include more trail races than road races.

Being forced to take time off because of injury always makes you appreciate running more- at least it does for me.