Today, though I probably should not have, I made a conscious effort to run on my midfoot although I'm still not completely certain which part of the foot is the midfoot (I just know it ain't the heel), I realized that when running normally, I tend to not heel strike with my right foot, but I do with my left foot (or so I think that is what was happening).  My left leg has always been weaker and that's probably why.  Just trying to control what my left foot is doing is a bit of a problem.

Again, I must say that running with better form does feel better (it seems like more oxygen is getting in and I feel lighter) even if it is tiring after a bit.  I'm sure I have many form improvements to make, but I think I'm headed in the right direction.  Normally, after a run, I have a twinge of pain in the side of my left knee for most of the day, but today, it's not there.  I dunno; I'm feeling lucky, maybe too lucky like something bad may be on the horizon.  Even my pace today was 13:13!!!  Ha.

Today was an optional running day according to the Hal Higdon 5K plan I'm following.  So, I thought I'd make an attempt on working on my form (as mentioned yesterday).  As I understand it, it's supposed to help me become a super efficient midfoot striker instead of the heel striker that I'm pretty certain I am.  Anywho, I tried doing as they said for the first 1 1/2 minutes, but it was wearing me out (and this at only 13:57 min/mile pace), so I decided I'd just do it for awhile in quarter mile intervals.  When the next quarter mile came along, I thought maybe I was getting the hang of it because it didn't tire me out so much and it even felt a little better than the norm, so I kept it up for most of the remainder of my short mile, but would get off track when trying to change channels on the TV.  I hope I'm doing this right.  It's supposed to take a few weeks before I get the hang of it and use it consistently; maybe it will make me a better runner.

The above is an exaggeration, but today, I decided that I wanted to run faster because I know I've trained at faster paces before (though that was about 3 years and 20 lbs ago), but still running at a pace I usually reserved for walking ain't cool.  So, I did my 2.5 miles today in 33:43 giving me a 13:29 average pace.  And, it was a bit hard, but not too hard, so I think that's something I'd stick with for a bit, but optimally, I'd like to train at a 12:00 min/mile pace.  I'll still do my long runs in the 13s though.

Tomorrow is an optional day.  I'm thinking about doing a slow pace and working on my form.  I read this cool article about improving ones form and one of the suggestions was to push your leg back when it's about to hit the ground (I can't explain too well) because most uneconomical runners will have their foot land out in front of them and apparently that's not the way to go and I have to say that for the few minutes I tried it, I did notice a difference, like I wasn't landing so hard.  So, maybe I'll do a mile or so and work on form.  :)

Did my 35 minutes of running today at a 13:34 min/mile pace.  Sigh.  But, I did just start back, so I have nowhere to go, but up.  It's going to suck to see the slow time I get in the 5K though.  Wah.  I predict the 8K will probably kill me.  Oh how the not so might have fallen.

I woke up at 3:30 AM again, couldn't quite get back to sleep, but couldn't quite get up either.  Rolled out of bed at 4:18 AM.  Boiled some eggs.  Did some weight training (I really need to get that equipment put together, so I can't do some better back exercises).  Now, I'm at work and I'm sleepy; the boredom doesn't help.

On the treadmill as usual.  I wonder if I'll ever be able to run outside on a workday.  Probably not.  I'd need to wake up at 3:30 AM depending on the distance and I get up early enough as it is.  Did 3479 of the strength training.  I guess I'll be walking for crosstraining.  I really want an elliptical, but I probably shouldn't actually buy one.  I doubt my Y membership is still current, so I can't go there.  I don't really want to go there anyway or any gym for that matter.  Maybe I'll catch a deal.

Today, was an optional running day according to Hal Higdon.  Since, this is my first week back from the sickness, I opted to do nothing this morning.  The rest of the weeks, I plan on getting in some extra (easy) mileage on those days.

Breakfast was oatmeal and 3 slices of turkey bacon and yo-yo-yogurt.

I did 2 miles this morning.  Still have a bit of snot to get rid of at times.  I did my 2 miles faster than usual (14:05 pace instead of 14:38) and I think it's just a matter of me getting used to the speed and not being afraid I will hurt myself because it is still very slow.

I also did my stretches and strength exercises.  Ate a big bagel and some milk for breakfast.

Today was my first day of exercise since I last posted.  I was sick for about 5 days.  Yesterday, I was feeling much better, but didn't want to chance a run.  I got in a whole 3.5 miles last week.  Wow.  I decided to change my running schedule a bit; it's a little easier, but involves even more races.  I really want to do a race to see what my pace is; it will help me decide my training paces.  So, I think I'll be doing a non-circuit race March 6.  Once I get some extra dough, I'll sign up.  Hopefully, by then, I will have gotten some new contacts which will require a new prescription and all the fun that goes along with that.

It has come to my attention that I may just have the flu; thus explaining the chills I was getting for the past couple of days and my general feeling of blah.  I did feel a bit nauseous on my way to work this morning and my arms were feeling all wobbly.  Now, I'm feeling even worse.  Maybe I should go home.