A new chapter in my history of jogging

I am happy to open a new chapter in the history of my jogging experience. It has been almost six years I tried to accomplish this feat, which is to jog at 6 mph (or greater) for 2 miles at a stretch, and only a week ago was I successful to complete it - 8 laps on a standard oval track-and-field is approximately 2 miles - in less than 18 minutes. That's 9 minute per mile and is not bad for me at all - although I had wished to achieve the goal of 7 minute per mile.

I have to clarify that I did cover 2 mile range few times in the past but only to relinquish the habit of repeating it after the fact. In most cases I changed my workout style - weights, cycling, kick-boxing, etc - that did not allow me to stick to my jogging schedule. In other cases I was out of the city visiting my parents back in India and was not comfortable adjusting to the new time table and day-night schedule. As a result, my body had to start all over when my mind lost the confidence that it could jog so many miles with out breaking in the middle. I stopped to catch up on my breath and eventually give up on the task.

It's different this time. Now I know I can accomplish the task, albeit still not that easy, and have the hindsight to help me drive in the right direction. I will have to make my mind believe that this task is just one milestone and that the milestone is already traversed. My mind should also note that I do not have to start over again. There are other milestones to reach and that means this milestone is a beaten-path.

For a week or so I have jogged 2 miles without any problem. In other words, I had no problem is repeating the feat. My body is tired when I reach the finish line, but it understands that it will not collapse. It feels energized and replenished with happiness. Great feeling.

I am very encouraged and already set my next goal, which is to jog for 2 miles in less than 14 minutes - ie 7 minute per mile. Will write about the accomplishment when it happens.