After one week of training, it is clear that this plan and these preparations will be the toughest yet, but perhaps not necessarily because of the physical demands of the miles logged and pace goals achieved. Training for the May 5th, OC Marathon, in pursuit of a PR and hopes of a Boston qualification, is sure to be full of mental challenges. To explain, while I have made a cognitive shift in perspective on what I want out of running, in the way I approach each training session as well as how this ideological change has shaped the formation of new goals, the innate competitive spirit within me that has been cultivated and strengthened throughout all thirty-two years of my life naturally kicks in the moment that I place one foot in front of the other.

I just want to run. I want to run for many miles and for long periods of time. Pace and time goals are no longer the number one priority. I want to just run for the joy of it. Then, hopefully once this new habit is forged, all of the rest will follow.

But my head is stupid. So far, my head is unable to not compare the current training run with the last. My mind cannot help but align expectation for this training period with the same period  before I set my marathon PR. As long as seconds on the clock exists, my brain will always demand my body to go faster and harder than before.

As I said, my head is stupid.

Week 1 total: 43 miles

1/7
6.15 miles
@ 8:30 pace

The first training run was a good one. I felt like trotting up and down some hills and through the trees and I was happy that I did. What a feeling of exhilaration and fulfillment it is to experience when you begin a new journey of commitment and discipline.

1/8
6 miles
8:27 pace

It is quite clear how much I let myself get out of shape when my legs feel fatigued on the second run of a new training plan. The run still felt good, but I don't have any strength at the moment.

1/9
3.4 miles
9:42 pace

It was really great to run with Doug today. I'm hoping for a quick and strong return to form for my friend, as he battling back from an injury. The 3.4 miles was perfect for today. I definitely feel some soreness and the fatigue has increased. Running and talking with my friends is one of the coolest things on earth to enjoy.

1/10
11.14 miles
8:46 pace

Today's mid-week long run was great. The out and back up Greenspot to the Seven Oaks Dam felt good. The views were incredible and the rain was cold, along with the wind. The best thing about it was that I felt stronger and stronger as the miles stacked up and my paces showed my progress. As I've been actively trying to not let myself get discouraged by my weakness and lack of pace early on, today's run was really encouraging.

1/11
6 miles
7:56 pace

The streak continues; my body feels pretty good and as long as that remains to be the case, I plan on running everyday. What was really fun about today is that I forced myself to not look at my watch until the turn around and again at the end of the run. This allowed me to run purely according to feel. I got my heart pumping on the uphill and just enjoyed the rest.

1/12
4 miles
8:30 pace

I'm trying to constantly remind myself that this will be a long journey and I need to slow things down often; especially now, as I'm trying to regain fitness. So, this was a nice and short recovery.

1/13
6.3 miles
7:41

This was a humbling day. I tried to push the pace a little and test my body a bit for the last run of the first week. What is disappointing is that this was the result. I'm definitely not letting it bother me, but its not fun to be reminded that you're only a sliver of your former self.

Well, that was week 1. I wander what week 2 will bring...