Today I decided to run a 10K distance and see what my time was. I didn’t push it and my time showed 53 mins which was fine with me. I have been getting in these super long runs and I think I would be much better off if I ran more shorter ones, maybe saved the long runs for the weekend or something. As much as I like the long runs and love the exhausted feeling I get after them, I think in the long run my knees will thank me for running less.

I have noticed that with running over 30 miles a week my fitness level has reach a nice level. In the past month or so I have ratcheted it up a notch and have been doing closer to 35. At this level of running I really notice the increase. I feel myself getting back to the level where I was two years ago. My whole body feels much more solid and muscular (with the exception of my still soft and round (though seemingly less so) belly!) My problem that I am seeing is that my body will pay a price for keeping this level up, both in terms of the pounding and the time I need to put into it (I like my sleep just like the next person!) So I am thinking the solution really comes down to eating less. MY GP has been recommending it for a gentleman of my age (42) for several years now. Seems hard to take in less calories when you are burning well over a thousand on a run. I imagine the best solution is a compromise. Eat a bit less and run a bit less. Still got to get in my popcorn though.

One discouraging thing about running shorter distances is that I still have to deal with the aspects of running that I am not so fond of: getting up early to go for the run, I feel almost as worn out after a short run as a long run (good thing?), still get all sweaty, still need to get up for the run emotionally, and so on. I guess the more frequent short runs will allow me to enjoy the experience of running more then so what am I complaining about?