From Zero to Gero

First run back was a 5K I could've walked.

I spent the first two kilometers braced for the knee to give. It didn't. Honestly, it all feels fine now.

That's the trap. Feeling good is exactly when I push too hard and end up back at zero. So I don't.

What are you being patient with right now?

Puma Half-Marathon Cebu. Fitness check.

First 10K felt good, right on pace at ~5:30/km. Then ITBS flared. Sharp knee pain, and a choice: push through and risk it, or back off.

I backed off. Walked most of the last 6K. 2:19, nowhere near what I can run.

The sub-4 is 12 months away. No check race is worth blowing that on a stubborn knee. Showing up includes knowing when not to push.

Pushed, or pulled back? What would you have done?

Saying it out loud makes it real, so here goes: I want to run a sub-4 marathon.

My last one was 4:55. That's 55 minutes to find in 12 months.

I'm doing this in public on purpose. It's a lot harder to quit when people are watching.

Everything starts from zero.

Sub-4 off a 4:55. Doable, or delusional? Tell me below.
Follow the 12 months.