I'm a doctor now I ain't need no bullet points

So! Here we are. I have defended, and I guess I almost basically have my Ph.D. now, pending a few changes to my dissertation. I also abandoned any form of exercise entirely for the past 2 months. I think that when things get too stressful running is less of a help than single-mindedly focusing on whatever needs to get done.

But! Now the time for excuses is over, and it's time to get back in shape. Over the course of grad school there have been times where I was running a lot (see 26 miles on 26th birthday, and the quickly-abandoned "marathon training") and times where I barely ran (see last 2 months). I'd like to reclaim some of the runner I used to be, and I think now is a good time for a fresh start.

I think what I need is a goal. I was thinking of possible goals today, and I found that most of the things I thought of involved becoming as fast as I used to be at some distance or another. I don't think that's the kind of goal I'd like to pursue though, I think what I need is something new. So here are the things that I haven't done, or haven't seriously trained for:

1. Marathon and half-marathon
2. Triathlon
3. Mid-distance races, like the 1500 or mile

Probably there are more, but that's all I can think of now. So I'll think about that for a few days and pick one...and then use this here secret blog to keep track of training and motivate myself.

For now, though, I am just trying to get back into a routine of regular running. I'm aiming for 4 runs per week and no particular pace or distance, at first. Today I ran for 40 minutes, and it was totally easy (as the first day back always is). I'll be tired and whiny and excuse-making after 3 days or so though, I'm sure. We will see!