Back to running

I have gotten my competitive nature under control in my running. I was so excited to be running and I really enjoyed it. I wanted to be even better at running and I pushed myself hard. I'm naturally competitive so this wasn't anything out of the ordinary for me. My 8.5 miles run did my body in though. My stomach was upset for a while on the day of my run but the biggest thing was that I irritated my achilles. I ended up not running for a about a month. Not all b/c of the achilles but it was also the timing of the achilles. I took a week and a half off and then ran one day but then we went on vacation to Spain and I didn't feel ike bringing my running stuff. I thought that would be ok since that would essentially give my achilles 3 weeks to be better which is was. I was itching to get back out and run when we got home. Unfortunately I got a stomach virus which eliminated running. My stomach virus was immediately followed by a cold. It was a string of bad luck but after a month of only running once I am back on the road. I am relaxing my competitivness. I don't get aggravated when Watson decides to "do his stuff" half way across the park and I have to interrupt my running to go get it. I also don't mind stopping so Watson can romp in some water. This is good since otherwise he wouldn't be able to run with us since it is too hot for him. I still run hard but I'm happy with running 4.5 miles and don't feel like I am not doing enough. At some point I'll start pushing my mileage again b/c I enjoy the freedom the distance gives me but I think my body needs me to do that at a slower pace.