I've been off for 5 weeks with IT band and hamstring pain and after a month of PT I am feeling good. I started running on Saturday and have been running 35 minutes a day. I did a fartlek on Monday where I didn't have any problems hitting 5:10s on the fast parts and 5:50 on the moderate parts. I've been on the elliptical and underwater treadmill while I haven't been running, but when I go to do strides I feel heavy and like I'm smashing my feet into the ground. I would like to run a low key mile next week, but if I keep feeling so heavy I'll probably scrap it. Anyone have any ideas or suggestions as to why I feel so sloppy and what can I do to feel lighter on my strides? I'm a high school junior with pr's of 1:58, 4:25, 9:32, and 15:47.