12 miles strong

My long run was 12 miles today. While it certainly wasn't easy I finished at an OK pace and am not too much worse for wear. The weather is certainly good for running. I need to get used to running in the morning, though. I'm not sure I'll ever be a morning runner. I wish I were running faster. I had a really good short run the other day - 9:00 splits for 5 miles - but runs like that are the exception to the rule. I think I'm simply not is as good of shape as I was last year. Since I don't have as much time to devote to training I'm really only managing to do the bare minimum each week. I think I'll have to revise my expectations for race day.

I was realizing the other day that it was about this time last year that I developed my stress fracture. Since then I've become acutely aware of any twinge or soreness that I feel in my foot during my runs. Unfortunately there's no way to prevent a stress fracture from occurring (except to stop running) and once you've had one you're more susceptible to them. Hopefully the paranoia will ease up after awhile. There's no sense in obsessing about it. Besides, last year I managed to continue with my training despite the fracture. So I'll hope for the best and trust that if the fracture does come back I'll muddle through again.