Fighting the Urge: How do I keep it all within reach?

As I sink deeper and deeper into my running self I'm finding that I'm having a hard time fighting off urges. Urges to go harder. Urges to go faster. Urges to go longer.  What used to be a challenge (just logging the beginner miles) is no longer an issue and the poles are shifting. I am having to exercise restraint on easy runs, intervals, repeats,etc....

This isn't easy. I'm quite frankly addicted to running. If I don't run one day, I feel like something is missing, like things aren't lined properly anymore.  It's rather unsettling and leads me to think I'm not pushing myself hard enough.

And then, at workouts, I am reminded of just how far I've come. How less than a year ago I raced a 10km on the road in 43:30 and now I'm pushing tempo efforts at a comfortable pace and splitting 5km at 18:20.  I've made such massive strides since last July that I can't fault myself one bit for taking an easy day here and there.

And then there is my ultimate goal...to stay healthy and injury free. I've run lots this year and I plan to run lots more, so if I feel like I'm running myself into the ground, I need to back off.  And that's how I feel sometimes, and most importantly, today.

My shins are getting tender to touch, and I'm afraid if I don't take care of them now, I'll be paying dearly for the neglect in a few weeks time.

In the end, you need to keep your head about you. Remember your goals, and don't lose sight of them.  Today, that's what I'm doing. I'm remembering I want to stay injury free and I feel that overdoing will throw me over the edge.