Eureka!

So, last weekend, I did 4.75 miles after a 17 mile bike ride, and I stressed over my splits. I started out at 10:30ish, and each mile was a bit slower, until the last 0.75 miles was a miserable 12:30.

Someone told me to not worry about splits. I'm a new runner - I've been running inconsistently for just about a year. Just focus on heart rate and maintaining a pace that I'm comfortable with over the whole run. Get the miles in and the speed will come later. Like worry about it next year, I'm still building a base.

So yesterday, after my ride home, I tossed on my sneakers, threw my bike Garmin in my back pocket (so I wasn't using my Forerunner and couldn't watch it as I ran), and head out for a easy run around my neighborhood. My intent was to go slow (I have a race on Saturday so I'm winding things down this week) and steady and not stress.

I think for the first time EVER...I finished my run - 2.9 miles in a sloow 37 minutes (what? 12:55 pace?? I haven't even downloaded the ride or the run yet), but I felt...OMG...good. Mentally and physically. Huh.