August 11, 2011 (Updated February 6, 2023)

I’m Baaaaaaaaaaaaaaack

by Anne Mauney, MPH, RD

33 comments

Friends, I have good news: I think my running mojo is coming back!

011

Want to save this post?

Enter your email below and get it sent straight to your inbox. Plus, I'll send you great content every week!

Save Recipe

I had a fantastic early a.m. run this morning on my beloved C&O Canal with my dad and friends. The weather has been so nice here lately — a bit cooler and less humid! That definitely helps with the running 🙂 So does having fast people to run with! My dad pretty much took off like a bullet right away (he’s working on his speed lately and back down to sub 7-minute miles — insane!); I stayed back with one of the other guys and still managed to pick up my pace, too.

010

I did 5.21 miles in 44:52, for an average pace of 8:37. Woohoo! I started off the run feeling a bit sluggish but quickly got into a groove, as you can tell by the increasing speed each mile!

Splits:

  • Mile 1: 8:55
  • Mile 2: 8:51
  • Mile 3: 8:35
  • Mile 4: 8:41
  • Mile 5: 8:19
  • 0.21 nubbin: 7:20 pace (!)

We were really booking it by the end — it felt great to stretch out my legs and go as fast as I could. It helped that the C&O Canal is super flat, too 🙂 Look how overgrown it gets in summer!

013

Gotta love the thick green slime on top of the water, too, haha. It didn’t smell so great 😉

Check out the cool new pull up and dip workout bar thingy that my dad bought recently to keep in the basement!

016

No gym required! I had fun playing around with it when we got home from our run 🙂

015

018

019

I hope you’re having a wonderful day!

Have you had any great runs or workouts lately? Feel free to brag! 🙂

p.s. Totally just created a “perch” at my parent’s place, hehe. I just put a box on top of a table and put my laptop on that. Perfect!

- anne

join the list

Sign up for my e-newsletter and I'll send you a meal plan packed with a week's worth of healthy meals, snacks and a shopping list. Happy eating!

    Which emails would you like to receive?

    you might also like:

    leave a comment

    33 comments
    • Julia
      I had a great 7.5 miler this am. 4 miles were quick, then 3.5 were slower b/c I met up w/ some friend's, who are new to running. Socializing always trumps the need for fast running :)
      Reply
      • Anne P
        Good for you! And totally agree about socializing trumping speed in most cases ;)
        Reply
    • Cat @Breakfast to Bed
      Your DAD ran a sub 7??? Is your dad Superman?? I hope I can be such an inspiration to my kids in my 50s/60s
      Reply
      • Anne P
        I know, right?! It's kind of insane. He used to literally win huge races when he was younger and at his very fastest (sub 6 minute miles then)!
        Reply
    • Molly Antos
      Wow - great run! I love having nice scenery to look at as motivation while I'm chugging along. Running around the same retention pond is getting old, so your post has motivated me to seek out new running ground. :)
      Reply
      • Anne P
        Do it!! New scenery is always a great motivator for me :)
        Reply
    • Anna Marie
      Welcome back to the world of running! I have been not running and been focusing on pilates more lately but for some reason my body was like craving doing Jackie Warners Crunchless Abs yesterday! Which A.) is odd that my body was craving a work out and B.) odd because I usually DREAD that DVD because of the horrid burpees! However I did it and felt fantastic! I am liking this listening to my body thing!
      Reply
    • Chris
      I have been debating on getting that "workout bar thingy" (is that a technical term) for awhile now.
      Reply
      • Anne P
        Lol yes, that's definitely the technical term ;)
        Reply
    • Kelly
      So I have been working on my endurance running and a bit of speed. I am new to running this year and finished 6.88 miles last night by Lake Michigan which was fantastic! I am running again with a friend this afternoon and will run my first 10K on Sunday. I'm so excited and motivated that I may consider running my first half before the winter comes here in the north! Anne, thank you for being such a huge inspiration to me!
      Reply
      • Anne P
        Yay, good for you! Good luck with the 10k - you will rock it :)
        Reply
    • Shelley @ MileHighHealthy
      This morning I set out to do a 3 mile run (and I really had to talk myself into it) and ended up doing 7 miles! Yes I am proud and want to brag!
      Reply
      • Anne P
        Damn girl! That's awesome!
        Reply
    • Renie
      Good for you, Anne. Great job. You have a terrific tan. I love that thingy that your Dad bought, looks like a fun way to exercise. I don't use it, but my husband has a bow flex, bike and tread mill (we both use) in one of our spare rooms and he uses it every day. It looks like you are having a ball on your vacation. Thanks for the pictures.
      Reply
    • Emma (Namaste Everyday)
      I hate running in the summer when you have to get up so early to beat the heat. I do love to get up early to run, but I hate that I "have" to, I want to chose to! Fall is my favorite time to run, anyway. I can't wait until things cool down!
      Reply
    • Jen
      The cooler weather/less humidity combo is feeling so great and i'm so motivated lately!! Going outside no longer feels like a chore, it feels amazing :)
      Reply
    • Gavi @ Gavi Gets Going!
      Good for you for getting back your "running mojo"! Mine has been somewhat lacking lately as well, but I'm hoping that after we move this weekend (!) I will have more time to really get back into it. You're an inspiration! :) I did have a great 5k run the other day, and I'm hoping to have a nice 10-mile bike ride today. Happy Thursday!
      Reply
    • Katie @ cooklaughmove
      A few weeks ago my facebook status was "Welcoming back my old friend, running mojo" I had 3 strong runs in 3 days and I really NEVER run 3 days in a row, it was crazy!!
      Reply
    • Lisa
      All summer I've been commuting to work by bike about once a week. But I drive half way, park and then ride the rest. This week? I biked all the way from home to work! All by myself too. It was so great and it made my total mileage for the day 25 miles!
      Reply
      • Anne P
        Wow - that's awesome! :)
        Reply
    • Tessa @ Amazing Asset
      Nice job on that run Anne! You are back for sure :) I had a great workout yesterday- hill repeats with the boot camp class I teach!
      Reply
      • Anne P
        Ooo so cool that you teach boot camp!
        Reply
    • Ashley @ Coffee Cake and Cardio
      Great job!! It's awesome that you have your mojo back. I had a great workout in the weight room after work yesterday. Legs are sore today but I love it!!
      Reply
    • DHP
      Looks like an awesome run! There's nothing like the Tow Path on a nice day. It's the best place to "hammer" out miles at a strong pace. But you've known that for years! Well done -- and keep at it...
      Reply