I've learned a lot:

The HR monitor is my friend. That said, I have learned to know how
it 'feels' so if I don't have my HR monitor I can manage. And that's
good since I've forgotten the band, had it not synch, and had it run
out of juice more than once.

I actually can run slower and keep my HR down to 65 or 70% for a
recovery run although I don't do it often enough. I will continue to
work at it.

If you are going on a long run, know where the restrooms are. If you
think you should stop at one, do so. You may regret it if you don't.

I love my Garmin. I didn't want one but now that I've had it for a
year, it gives me freedom to take a new road, new path, new trail.

Listen to my body carefully. What my body says trumps my HR monitor
and my plan for the day.

Be careful of my mind; it is tricky. When my MIND says I am tired,
it usually means I'm feeling lazy. If I persist, it may be a run
that seems to last forever, but I usually feel better for getting
through it.

A bad run or a bad week is not the end of the world.

Persistence and patience pay off.

The treadmill is better than nothing but outdoors is the best.

Once upon a time the long run was something I had to get through.
Now it's the one run every week that I look forward to.

I'm not in competition with anyone but myself. I may see someone who
is running faster, but they may be running a shorter distance, may
end up walking, or may just be better. And it's all okay. I just
need to be the best I can be.

The occasional run with someone who's getting started or doing
something for the first time and needs company and encouragement is
nice. On those runs, their goals are mine. If they need to walk, I
walk. A successful run that day is if they achieve what they needed
to and feel good. I love that. I get to see someone else love
something I do.

My short runs were long runs two years ago. It's kind of funny that
now 5 miles is nothing.

I can hate heat, cold, hills, etc. but I shouldn't avoid them unless
I'm risking frostbite, heat stroke, getting struck by lightning,
etc. I don't have to love it but it's all good stuff.

Once in awhile, especially if running seems to be a chore, it's good
to leave the HR monitor at home and just run for the joy of it at
whatever pace I want. Or take a day off.

I have never felt the 'runner's high' from endorphins. I have,
however, felt pretty smug after a long run. Not a very attractive
trait but I figure that's my runner's high.

Any sport that allows a little chocolate milk as a recovery drink
after a long run can't be all bad.

Be wary of change. If your shoes work well, don't change them for no
reason. It can be a waste of money.

Wear sunscreen.

Pay attention to what clothes to wear in different conditions.

Keep a log. It has been really valuable for me. Before the last
Silver Comet Half, I thought all my training runs were awful. So I
looked back at the previous year and saw that my comments weren't
much different, which told me I'm hard to please. I am no easier to
please now, but my expectations in that respect have gone down and I
know my complaints don't mean that things are not progressing.

I can (generally) fit my run into my schedule. It's not always easy,
but if I plan carefully it can usually be done. And when it can't
the world doesn't end.

If you have an injury and have to take time off, you need to do it.
Getting back up to speed takes time and is annoying and frustrating,
but you get there.

Every once in awhile a new running outfit helps. Shallow perhaps,
but it works.