Starting over kinda sucks

Today was my first run for the year...and my first run in quite a few weeks.  Wow am I out of shape.  It's really frustrating starting over because I know where I have been and where I should be and I want to be able to jump back in to 6 mile short runs and 10 mile long runs.  Let's just say I have a battle to get there but that's all a part of starting over.  I did find an interesting article in Runner's World magazine about starting/re-starting running and I thought I'd post the parts I found particularly helpful.

"Whether you're returning to the sport after taking time off or you're just starting out, the mental and physiological barriers that stand between you and your inner runner may seem insurmountable....It takes time for blood vessels to respond, for your heart to get bigger and stronger, to add mitochondria to your muscles," he says. "But the good news is that our bodies are incredibly adaptive."

They also list strategies to overcome common early frustrations:
-"The second week feels harder than the first. Feeling a little stiffness a week into an exercise routine is normal.
-Three miles is still hard. 
-Even a short run leaves me incredibly sore.
-Other runners chat, but I'm out of breath.  Slow down.  There's a level that's comfortable for everyone - some runners might be able to talk while doing an 8 minute mile, others might be at a 12 minute mile."

One last tidbit:  Focus on time, not distance.  Especially when you're starting back or first starting.  The mileage will come in time, but focusing on the time rather than how far you've gone keeps you from getting disheartened by how slow you're running or how long it's taking you to cover a certain difference.

Remember it's hard to start something new, but you feel better once you're done and/or completed your goal.