The MRI results were in on Tuesday, and they show no damage at all to the hamstring or to my pelvis. Since the doc says the hamstring isn't injured I can start running again, and if I do experience discomfort at least we know it's not the hamstring. If the pain becomes unbearable, he's thinking I could have a back problem. But we'll wait and see what happens.

So naturally I ran Wednesday morning, but I was very careful--I did 2.2 miles by walking five minutes and running five minutes. I will do that again tomorrow, and then up the distance on Sunday. By week three I should be OK to just run, and I will start building up my mileage. At the same time I need to add back biking, since I am also training for a few summer triathlons. The swimming I'm sure has helped keep my endurance up, and I am looking forward to finally getting a plan in order and marking my calendar as to what I will be doing when, and where. This way, if the kids need to reach me, they always know where I am--on the road or at the gym. I swim at lunchtime, so they're highly unlikely to have to find me then.

I am really grateful to have my health back, and so happy to be able to run again. It truly is my great love (physically, anyway), and I have missed it so very much. I don't know if I'll have as good a year this year as in 2008 and 2007, when I PRed at several distances, but at almost age 48, it doesn't matter as much as being able to do it.