Reality Check

I've been pretty good about my running program. For the first 3 months of this year I've only missed 1 run, thanks to the purchase of a treadmill at Christmas.
With the weather improving the way that it has been however, I've had the opportunity to get out on to the road for some real running. What I've found is that I can only push about half of what I can do on the treadmill when I'm outside. I found the toll is much harder on my body as well, as it seems that the treadmill has been completely missing my quads. The other day I pushed a modest (read: embarrassing) 4 km, and it was cause for some moments of reflection. My quads were burning afterwards, and even with controlled breathing I was struggling for oxygen.
Rather than allow this setback to get me down however, I've decided to rearrange my life so that I can get some real running in. I'm going to do what tens of thousands of other people,(though generally not chefs) do, and I'm going to start running on my breaks at work.
So far I've had 2 outside runs, and the newfound challenge of them has me fired up all anew. This year I'm pretty optimistic about the progress I'll make. In Saskatchewan winters past I've atrophied to the point that I found myself sidelined with injuries on my first few spring runs. This year the treadmill seems to have helped keep my bones and my calves strong if nothing else, and I think I should be up to half marathon distance again by Autumn.
Thanks for listening all :)