Three weeks to get back some fitness-or at least a start

Finally! Vacation!! Three weeks during which time I will not even think about work. Time to catch up on some projects around the house. Time to try and get some running miles on these tired old legs. I'd at least like to get close to where I was in 2013. Feeling like I could choose to run a race a week out and know I would be ready. Heading out the door for a run and the only deciding factor was how much time did I have before I had to be home again. I know this won't happen in these short three weeks, but I'd sure like to get a foot in the door. Or is that a foot out the door? I know, slow and steady. I'm ready to do this and do it right. 

Back again-again

It's been a long time since I've sat down and put fingers to keyboard. I guess I just haven't really had much to say. I've always intended this as a way for me to recap training and racing and there hasn't been much of either for over a year! But, I'm hoping that is going to change. 
My last few posts have concerned my hit and miss training and racing over the last year. Some of that had to due with my health. Fighting a disease, babesiosis,  I've been learning more about but still don't know enough. http://rarediseases.org/rare-diseases/babesiosis/ . I thought I had it beat late last summer. Apparently I didn't. Late fall 2014 and through the winter I just kept feeling.....sub par, slow, lethargic. sore, achy.....I think you get the gist. 
I never even dusted off the cross country skis all winter. My back and hips hurt too much. I passed up the Birkie. Running would have me sore and moving gingerly for days. I moved my spring 50K down to a half marathon. Biking wasn't too bad, but I just didn't have any endurance or energy. 
Tammy got on my case again to go to the doctor and get some answers. I had a couple months before I could get in so I started doing some research and began to wonder. Did I ever really get rid of my little parasitic friends? After having a crazy amount of blood drawn, I patiently waited. And it turns out I was right. I still tested positive for babesia. So, more antibiotics and more of the amazing-glow-in-the- dark-neon-yellow-metallic-tasting medicine. Two weeks worth of pills and liquids. And finally some good news. My blood test two days ago showed no parasites! One more blood test in four weeks and I might believe I've got it beat. 
I do think, or hope, I've got it kicked this time. The fatigue is slowly disappearing. That could take a while. My back pain is almost 100% gone. According to the latest x-rays, there are still some issues, but the lack of pain is amazing. I've got a little more energy. My joints don't ache like they did. I'm starting to believe the nasty critters swimming around in my blood were really causing more havoc than I ever imagined they could. 
So now it's time to slowly get back on track. I just got done with a 12 hour co-ed duo race at Wausau24. Low key, fun and relaxing. But I felt good on the bike. No aches or pains the day after-not counting a few small crashes. I'm adding some running miles to the training. That seems to be the hardest to get back. The miles seem slow and plodding. But I know running fitness will come back in time. 
So, I'm crossing my fingers that I'm heading back to where I was in 2013. That's my goal. Effortless and enjoyable miles. I may not be as fast or get that level of endurance again. I'm fine with that. I just want to feel healthy!
Thanks for letting me ramble. I'll be back-writing, racing and rambling!