Begin the run

Run day 1.
3.21 miles. 43:00 minutes
Today was a good start to pick up the running. I was up by 5:45 and escaped out of the house with out the kids or the birds (we are watching for Judy, Jim's mom) waking up. I think I was so excited that I got out of there so quickly and quietly that I left the yard and stepped right onto a big patch of ice and fell on my left elbow and side. I turned as I was falling and my left knee hit the ground too, but not so hard. I was ok, just hoping the knee doesn't get bruised.
So I ran into CVS to pick up my prescription 3 days late and buy a lock for the gym since I can't find mine that I have used since high school. I guess it was meant to be b/c when I opened the lock at the gym; the first numbers in the combo were jimmy's b-day.
so I jumped on a star trac tread and walked for about 5 min to warm up. My heart rate was about 91/92 when I started but only went up to about 116 even after 5 min. I started the 5k and increased the speed to 4.5 and within 3-4 min; the HR was up to 160. It seemed to stay steady at about 178/180 during the run, so I figured I would stay at the 4.5 speed for today. It’s about a 13 min mile and I need to build endurance. I have this bad habit of thinking I can always do more than I can, and I would usually play the speed game with my self. I am trying to get a better handle on my discipline and will power and commit to something and follow through the right way. So if for today, staying at the 4.5 speed was going to help, then I decided to do that. so the run was good. No pain until the last .5 mile and my foot was achy and my hip joints were sore. I need to remember to stretch out and keep at the 5k for the next few runs at the lower speed. Why push it and risk falling off again.
Another joy to the morning, small, but important, was getting a parking space in the lot. I know your going to a gym, why do you care if you get a space in the lot. Well, baby, it's cold outside! When I woke up it was 33 degrees, when I got into the car it was 32 degrees and when I got to the club it was 32 degrees. Brr! A space in the lot is definitely a highlight in my day, even if it is at the gym where I am going to work out!
I met a man today. His name is Angelo. He is 84 years old. He ran with me today. He joined me at about mile 1.5 and he walked, I ran, and we talked. What a great little old man :0) He was a bachelor who has been coming to the club for 15 years! He loves to dance and was in great shape. What a way to stay in shape and take care of your self. It's encouraging to see someone take pride in themselves.
A few things I have to remember to bring for Thursday’s run, 1.) Flip flops for the shower. I can’t believe I forgot them and had to walk on the ground! Eww. It looked clean, but that is relative. 2.) I also need to remember to bring a towel. It was quite difficult dripping dry and using a sweaty gym shirt to soak up the water. I managed, but it will be so much better knowing there is an absorbent piece of cotton waiting to accept the drops of water from my body. 3.) A hair dryer. I looked like a contortionist under the hand dryer this morning and might have been confused with a wet rat on the way out of the club. A hair dryer (and a good haircut) is necessary.