So for a while now, I have been going on day to day without something that has been a part of my daily routine for the last 8 years of my life, running. Bad shin splints that refused to go away after many attempted short breaks from running forced me to take more than a month completely off from running. Luckily I was able to walk and do most daily life things without any pain, but I missed running a whole lot. Saying no to playing soccer or just going on runs with my team members was nothing I enjoyed, but it has allowed me to get where I am now, back running. I just finished my first week back running (just 10min a day on soft, cherry blossom pedal covered ground) and my legs(shins) feel good. The time off from run training was not without its benefits as I was able to get on my bike and explore the area we live in. I had even begin to acclimate to life without running by the end of my break, but now being back I wouldn't trade this for much. I am excited to use the combo of run training and our team hikes to get back into great shape before the walk. While I am pretty confident that even right now everyone on our team is physically capable of getting across that finish line, a little added fitness can't help. The more I think about the walk the more it becomes clear to me that while there is certainly a physical aspect to walking 100km, this is more an individual and team mental challege than anything else. Having three teammates who I get along with (except for Jeff during that time of the month) and who have brought a great attitude to this challenge, is reassuring to say the least. Now (about a month and half away from the walk) I am leaning to the side of overestimating this walk, but I have a feeling that come about midday on May 23 you will find 4 trailbiters crossing a finish line near Mt. Fuji collectively pumping their fists.

Labels: ken