I did a totally awesome 3 miles today. It was maybe even more fun than Thursday's 2 miler. I used the treadmill again, I don't really dislike it anymore. There's something to be said for watching tv while dragging yourself along for a few miles.
Anyway, today is a personal non-stop-distance record. Every other time I've done more than 2 I've let myself walk some, but not this time, huzzah! It made me feel like the 4 miles on Tuesday could actually happen.
Oh, and I finally signed up for the Monster Mash 5k on November 1st. I'm excited for my first race!
I was supposed to do 2 easy miles at about a 14:30 pace, but instead ended up doing 2 miles miles of fartleks (snicker). Meaning, I used today as a speed run. After about a half mile of warming up, I increased my speed by a few seconds every couple hundred meters or so until I wanted to slow down (just to speed back up again). It wasn't difficult since I was on the treadmill, and was really pretty fun. The fastest I got going for any length of time was about 5.2 mph, or about 11:54 per mile. While that pace wont get me to the Monster Mash 5k finish line in 30:00, hopefully I can bring down my current 3 mile finish time of about 45:00.
Saturday morning I finally got to calibrate my Nike+ without using the treadmill. I did an even 2 miles that weren't even really that difficult. It was cool and almost autumney outside, prime weather for a run. I stopped for a few seconds twice, first to get rid of a rock in my shoe, and then for the stop light I have to pass. I picked up the pace for the last 200 yards so I wouldn't cop out early, it was pretty fun. Here's that run:
I calibrated that down to 2 miles, not thinking it would really work, but lo and behold, it does! I did today's run on the treadmill because of the heat and they numbers were virtually identical, huzzah! I guess calibrating it is 40% skill at keeping a steady pace, and 60% luck.
As for the run itself, it went pretty well. Once or twice I wanted to stop, but not out of fatigue, it was because I was just feeling lazy. So I kept going and finished strong. This is today's run:
Over the weekend I told a few family members that I'm planning on running the 2010 Houston Marathon and they said they'd be there to cheer. I'm making an effort to continue to be held accountable to running, and telling as many people as possible makes it less likely I'll fail.
Oh, yesterday I got a new running hat! I've wanted one for a little while now because my hair constantly gets in my face and I hate the feeling of sweat dripping, so I got a grey Nike dry-fit hat. And while I was at the running store I picked up a couple of fliers for the Monster Mash Road and Trail 5/10k (warning, annoying webpage music). It'll be held pretty close to my house on November 1st, which gives me plenty of time to work on a respectable 5k time. Maybe even sub-30:00!
I guess today is W8D3, but I'm still not really following the program much anymore. I'm continuously stuck in the limbo between going longer on time but not far enough on distance.
Oh well, I'll get to 5k level soon, no need to rush it.
Today was my first run since Ike blew through on Saturday morning, and I got to take a look at some of the damage in the neighborhood. Lots of people were out cleaning up, raking, mowing, fixing roofs, etc. I had to dodge a few downed trees, but nothing totally epic.
I ended up walking at about half way for maybe 1/5th a mile. I was wanting to take it easy and not tax my legs too much, considering my shins started aching at the first quarter mile. It was (is) such a beautiful day outside I didn't feel the need to push myself very hard, and instead relaxed and enjoyed being outside.
Next time I'll be going 2.25 miles nonstop, hopefully. I've got nothing against walking breaks, I know even seasoned runners work them into their long runs to improve their endurance, but I'd like to get to at least 3 miles without. All of the beginner training schedules I've found start at 4 miles as the long run, so 3 miles without walking should prepare me for a new program. Tacking on .25 once a week, it shouldn't take me too long to get there.
Or, maybe I'll just haphazardly put together my own schedule for a few weeks until I "catch up" with one I've found. I'll post here when I come up with something.
I did go about 2.5 miles today not including my walk break, a personal distance record. It turns out that when I calibrated my Nike+ on the treadmill, my natural pace was off and instead of over reporting my mileage by 30%, it UNDER reported it by about 13%. Since I can't go back and edit my previous calibration, I have to try it again. Maybe tomorrow I'll head to the track since the schools are still closed and get a quick .5 in.
I did a solid 2 miles today on the treadmill. This morning I gave myself the excuse that because I spent about 4 hours yesterday scrubbing the kitchen floor, my quads and glutes deserved a day off. After my (late) morning cup of coffee, the caffeine got me going enough for a run. I did compromise, though. I went for the treadmill instead of waiting till it was cooler in the evening. I figured I could get a (relatively) easy run in while ensuring that I kept a steady pace for calibrating my sportband.
The first mile and a half or so was easy, and I'd have never thought I would say something like that 3 months ago. I've noticed that I'm still amazed by my progress, but my honeymoon with running is pretty much over. That's not to say I don't still love it, but it's getting a little harder to find the motivation to hop on the treadmill or run down the street. But I guess that's part of every relationship, there's a point where the fun newness is over and the real intimacy begins. In this case, the intimacy is embedding running into my life wholly, and calling myself a true runner. There will be good runs and bad runs, and maybe extended breaks here and there, but I know I will always be a runner at heart.
On a less sentimental note, I was finally able to calibrate my Nike+ sportband. Considering it was about 30% off, that's some really good news. I was going slightly faster on the treadmill than I would have down the sidewalk, so it wont be 100%, but at least it'll be better and slightly more reliable than it was. The bad part of that is it'll be a little more difficult to keep up with my "100 miles in 12 weeks" goal.
I'll be upping my mileage by .25 on Thursday. I'm not strictly keeping with the c25k program these days because I'm ahead on time (I'm doing ~30:00 now), but still behind .75 on distance. In my head, I've really already finished the program. Of course, if I ran a 5k tomorrow I don't think I could finish without walking, so maybe I'm not really done. I think it's time to write my own program to get into 10k shape.
Today's run (the calibration doesn't take effect until next time):
I love those totally awesome runs that make me want go right back out and go again.
Morning runs are great; the sun shines, I feel productive, it's a little cooler, but there's something to be said for evening runs. It's quieter and I have a chance to eat better before going out.
*sigh* If only I was nocturnal I'd have the best of both times of day.
Well, tonight I went for 25 minutes, or 1.75 miles. It seems I'm behind on distances for week 7, I should be up to 2.5 miles. I guess I'm just really really slow? I think it's time for me to start concentrating on miles instead of times, which means I'll have to deviate from the plan some to catch up. I'll try for a full 2 miles next time, measured out beforehand instead of watching my Nike+ sportband.
I still haven't calibrated it, I'm waiting for it to recognize one of my runs as "calibration ready". I'm not sure why it hasn't worked yet, I haven't walked the past couple of times, and when I do I always pause the band before stopping. Maybe it's time to just use the treadmill. I've read they're not awesome to use for calibrating because they're not very accurate, but it has to be better than being about 13% wrong every time.
I did it! I finished 6.3 miles and it didn't kill me!
The whole first mile I walked because I was trying to pace myself. I didn't want to start jogging too soon and end up not being able to finish or something. At the one mile mark I started jogging. I kept a 14:25 pace going on the treadmill for 8-10 minutes, then walked for 2-3. And that was pretty much how I finished it. I kept that up for a total time of 1:28:03, or 13:57 per mile. It's not a fantastic time, or hell, even a good time, but it's the best time I could do on my first race. I'm proud of myself for making it through it (without dying or wanting to saw off my legs) at an even better time than what I had set out to do (1:40:00).
Afterwards I sat in a cool bath instead of icing my legs down with my trusty bag of peas, and I feel like that made a difference in how my legs have reacted. I know I'll be sore, but hopefully not that horrible. Here's hoping I can get back on the c25k saddle on Tuesday or Wednesday.
I went 20 minutes without stopping! Well, ok. That's a lie, I stopped for < 10 seconds while waiting for a stoplight.
I used my playlist to break up the run into 4 manageable segments, so I knew where I was in the run. During the first segment ("Heart of a Champion"--Nelly) I kept telling myself that if at the halfway point I was dying, then I could stop and walk for a minute. But, halfway came and went ("That's Not My Name"--The Ting Tings) and I was still going, and even feeling pretty good. During the third song ("B.O.B."--Outcast), I was beginning to think that I could actually finish it. After that, it was just a matter of knowing it was almost over for me to keep moving through the last song ("'Till I Collapse"--Eminem (a great ending song, btw)).
I'm pretty sure I didn't go 2 full miles, there was no way I was running at a 10:00 pace. Nike+ said it was around 11:30 or so, but I still haven't calibrated, so I think it's closer to 12:00/mile. Oh well. I ran for 20 minutes straight!
This is a huge milestone for me. Up till now I've been dependent on the C25k program to guide me, but I'm seeing the end of it and the beginning of the "real" training that will make me a runner.
Today was another one of those days where I really didn't want to go running, but did anyway and am SO glad I did. this is what I did:
Jog 8 min
Walk 5 min
Jog 8 min
It sounded alot tougher than it actually was. I didn't walk at all when I wasn't supposed to, and really wasn't all that winded. Totally an awesome run.
Day 3 still looks pretty rough, but I'll give it a try. I'm sure I'll have to redo it, but I'll get it eventually.
In other news, I got Wii Fit as a supplement to jogging. I'm loving the yoga and balance exercises, and I was even feeling a little sore this morning after playing for about an hour yesterday.
I may not have updated in a little while, but I have been running.
Saturday (W4D3) went pretty well, I didn't cop out at all. I think alot of that has to do with using my own music instead of generic podcasts. I finally got around to making my own playlist with shortened songs and sound effects to indicate running/walking. For my two 5 minute walks I've been using Outkast's "Bombs Over Bagdad" and Eminem "'Till I Collapse". Rap has a nice strong beat to jog to, I think I'll be keeping it.
And yesterday was W4D4, a repeat day. I did it on the treadmill because it was stupidly hot outside for it only being 8am. It seemed ALOT easier. Deceptively easier, even. I felt like I could have gone for another few minutes it was so easy. I'll decide tomorrow morning if I want to do week 4 for one more day or move on to week 5.
I was a little wary of today's run, my dad and I went for a long walk (~3mi) with the dog last night and my shins weren't too keen on it. They were a bit sore today so I was considering taking another day off, even though it had been two days since I last ran. I talked myself into running, and I'm sooo glad I did. It was pretty much the best run ever.
Maybe it was because I ate dinner about half an hour before I went, or maybe it was because I focused on my breathing and posture and didn't have to worry about 12-year-old boys outrunning me. Whatever it was I didn't have to work too hard at running, and it felt like the most natural thing to be doing right then. When I finished my last jog (3 min), I was still ready for more. No labored breathing, not much soreness (though the shins are still aching a bit), it was awesome.
I had pasta and veggies for dinner, I think those carbs contributed to it. I may make up a big batch of pasta for breakfast later this week to test my theory.
After my last run, I had my doubts about progressing to week 4, but I'm confident now I can get through it. I'm so ready for it.
OH! Also, I signed up for the Nike+ Human Race 10k on August 31. I wont be done with C25k by then, but since I'm "racing" on my own with my Nike+ Sportband I have a full 24 hours to finish it. Running every other day, I'll be about finished with week 8 by then, and will be at almost 3 miles. 10 kilometers is approximately 6 miles, and I can just tack on a mile and a half to each end of my run. I'm excited about it, I'm going to get an official race day Nike shirt with my bib number next week with my grad moneys.
I *may* even run with my local running store. I was invited when I got my new shoes last week but I shyed away from it. I've never run with other people, and I'm worried I'll suck at it. Well, I'll go back for some new running clothes this month and try to get a feel for the fitness level there. Well, I have time to think about it.
This blog is going to follow me through my Couch to 5k training, and hopefully into marathoning. I'm a total fitness newb, so it should be at least mildly entertaining.
