A Great Accomplishment

So, I had fell from where I had previously been in my "running" life. At one time I was a college cross country and 10,000 meter running on the track. At another junction I was an ultra runner hitting over 60 miles on Saturdays and Sundays. At another time I was just a guy running. But now I am learning to run all over again. I had my first big break through. I was struggling to run for 30 minutes and couldn't get past it in my mind. Finally on a cool summer evening I ran for an hour, raking in only 8 miles. It was slow, tiring, and felt weird... but I ran it without stopping. I took a couple days off so I wouldn't burn myself out. When I started to run again I went 6 miles for three days in a row. Each run was at 43 minutes to 45 minutes. Once again, not fast compared to my college running days but starting over takes some time. I hope to eventually get back down to a 34 minute 10km and around 57 minute 10 miler. That will take a long time but at least it gives me some direction to had towards. All I know is that right now I have to take baby steps towards running because I probably could do about a 20 minute 5km being rested. Those three days of running are a big acomplishment to me, more so than when I ran my first three hour run, more than my first sub 5 minute mile, more than my first sub 60 minute 10 miler.
It has given me some hope that I can transfrom back into the runner that I use to be. It gives me the hope that I can still compete in a serious race or two. I just want to get back to that feeling of being a good runner. Having the long hair and long beard, skinny and tan, and running in just my short shorts... not caring what the world thought of me.