I did it! I'm back and I feel like the ball in Pong. I am literally bouncing, just not off the walls. Life threw some obstacles my way, but I was determined. I got up late (my bed was just perfect this morning), my husband and I swapped cars this morning so all my running stuff was in my running bag which always stays in my car. Thankfully, I keep my iPod in my purse. I had to make a U-turn to come back for my headphones and I forgot my water which is also always in my car, but I still went.

My goal was 3 miles, however slowly I had to go. I turned my music up much louder than I should and did a good warmup and stretch. I set the treadmill for 12 minute pace and felt so good after a mile that I could barely keep from cranking it up. Baby steps though. Mr. M was in front of me. He runs the swimming pool and is a swim coach. I'm guessing he used to be a drill sergeant based on his booming voice, and he's in great shape. He was running at my pace, so I drafted off him and chased him the whole time (visualization is powerful). Granted, he had already gone 5.5 miles by the time I started, but still. I did turn it up a bit during the last 1/2 mile for a little kick, but it's a good thing I was on the treadmill. If I'd have been outdoors, I wouldn't have been able to pull back on the reins and I would have hurt myself.

I felt so good I even lifted arms, shoulders, back and abs. I don't look forward to how I'll feel tomorrow, but right now I feel great! All the personal trainers PCS'd so I had the gym all to myself! I'm glad to learn that I didn't lose as much fitness as I expected. You don't know how good it felt to put 55# on the ab machine and do some crunches, and 100# on the back extension machine. Not terribly impressive numbers, but it's where I left off so I'm thrilled. I didn't try the pull-up assist. I didn't want to discourage myself!

So now I need to find a productive outlet for all this energy. There's got to be something to clean around here. Maybe I'll move my entertainment armoire and vacuum behind it.