I decided to work on speed a bit today, after 2 weeks of trail running and/or increasing my mileage up to 4 miles.
First, I went to see my rheumatologist. It took him about 3 seconds to diagnose my neck problem as a disc issue/pinched nerve. He didn't feel it's related to any sports issues. I think the fact that I now sit down a lot, at the computer, studying, or in class, as opposed to standing up teaching has made my already degenerating discs kvetchy. Well, I got my PT scrip. My therapist is no longer at the place I went to last year. They said someone would call me back, but I am not thrilled. There's a new place, more sports oriented I want to go to, but I can't remember the name. So, tomorrow, I will drive by and scope it out, since I know where it is.
Back to the run. I warmed up for 1/3 mile and ran 2 miles in exactly 20 minutes! Yay! It might have been a sub 10 minute mile, but the last half a mile is up a 3-4% grade, which slowed me down a lot. Then I walked the rest of the way home, about another 1/2 mile.
Going on an easy ride tomorrow (I have dental work in the AM), perhaps followed by another short run.