Just getting in decent mileage the past 4 to 5 months after years of up and down 15-25 MPW. Highest recent mileage is 46 MPW. Only 35 last week. Hope to get into the 50s and beyond over the next few months.
Ran 19:45 in a dinky 100-runner local 5k on Saturday. Sunday I did 12 miles for first time in probably 20 years. Have done a few 9 and 10 milers the last 5 weeks. Ran the 12 in 1hr 28mins. Aerobically I felt great, but the legs were feeling it a bit the last 3 miles. A few more months of those several times a week should help.
My running history began 26 years ago as a sophomore in HS. I was a wrestler and 130 lb. outside linebacker (HA!) on the football team. The wrestling coach got the team to workout with the XC team that fall. Some details have faded with the years, but I specifically remember the XC coach telling me I had an "efficient stride." I didn't know what that meant but I figured it was a good thing. It's amazing how a small encouraging comment like that can have a lifelong impact, as I never wrestled or played football again.
I barely remember any meets that first year, but I ran some on my own the next summer and got the "most improved runner" award in 11th grade. Senior year I was 9th at State. We won State with all five scorers making All-State at 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 9th and 13th. I went on to run D2 XC and have been a lifelong runner.
That XC coach is semi-retired after coaching 17 State Championship teams in XC, indoor and outdoor. He has coached an All-State performer in every running event, sprints to distance, in our state. He is still a good friend and he regularly helps me as I have recently begun helping coach my daughter's HS track and XC team.
I intend to continue coaching and I hope I can influence some HS kid the way he did me.