Hooray for warmth, sunshine, and new running gear!

I've been REINSPIRED! After running my first 1/2 marathon in September I became slightly addicted to the runner's high (ironically, training for the 1/2 was sheer torture and I thought surely I wouldn't survive...). I was hooked on the sense of accomplishment after running distances I had never conquered before. I finished the half respectably at 2:07:46 achieving both of my goals: running the entire race without stopping or walking and averaging under 10 minute miles (I averaged 9:45/mile with my best split at the 10k mark 9:38/mile). I wasn't super fast- but I was consistent and finished it achieving both of my goals.

The gang before the VA Beach Rock N Roll 1/2 Marathon, Tory, Me, Lisa, and Brandon, 9/06/09
After the half I took a break from running- I had doubled a 12 week training program and trained for 6 months... I was burned out and my body was achey and tired. I continued to work out 3-5/wk with cross training and occasional short runs. I recently started running regularly again and I was shocked and appalled at the condition I was in when I resumed. I was struggling to complete 3 mile runs on the treadmills in my building's gym. I was horrified. To my relief, I attempted to run outdoors on a paved trail and found that I had maintained more endurance than the treadmill let on. I'm chalking it up to boredom and lack of scenery.... anyway- winter is now in full swing and I am attempting to rebuild my endurance back to 1/2 marathon condition... but with the weather being frigid and snowy recently I have been forced to run inside or forego running all together when I haven't had access to my gym. I have found myself in a vicious cycle of building my endurance up and then losing interest in the gym and taking time off... I knew that I'd never return to where I was in September at that rate.
BUT- for Christmas this year I got some new gear. Just a few new pairs of shorts and a running watch to time my runs but it has made all of the difference. Plus- I am seriously considering another 1/2- the DC 1/2 marathon in March- to capitalize on this new found motivation and give me something to aspire to. To make things oh so much better- the past few days have been warm (50's haha) with 1 day of rain that effectively melted and washed away all 21 inches of snow we recieved last week. I can't help but feeling that this is nature's way of saying GET OUT AND RUN. So that's what I've been doing. Yesterday I finished 4.3 in 41 minutes and I am about to head out for more (if my ipod would ever charge up!).
ALSO: I've decided on a new goal: I am going to finish the next half if under 2:00:00. Get it giiiiirl.