3.2 miles in 36:02

Last night I was convinced by my neibor to go with her on a run. I had all intentions of sticking with the interval training but I quickly realized that it was much easier to just slow down my running then to walk. Everytime I started to walk I just felt sluggish and my knee would start to hurt.

UPPING IT

Bored with my routine I decided to change it up a bit...OK A LOT! For starters I did 7 minutes running with 1 minute rest. This is an adjustment from my original plan that I feel will help me in the end. Yes I struggled a little and 4 1/2 minutes into each interval I was ready to be done with the interval, but I realized if I'm ever going to reach running the full 30 minutes, I need to be able to run 7 minutes.

Second, I veered off my 1/2 mile loop to experience a new route. It was 2 1/2 miles long with a few hills that were a little more intense then I was expecting, but I felt great about myself after the run. It was great to realize how small my little neighborhood really was.

And finally, I ran with Chris today at the start of a new interval week. I usually fear doing this because I run my slowest at the beginning of a new interval week. I hate the thought that he might be thinking "Man, I won't be able to stand doing a 5K with her." But I invited him today and I'm happy I did. Sure he did a little bouncy run while I was dragging my feet. And yes this made me feel like he was taunting me, when in reality he was probably just goofing off. But knowing that he supported me, and that he was willing to put up with me ssssslllllooooowwwwwwwwwwww instead of running off at his own put a smile on my face. I will happily invite him on any future runs.

Today's run went swell! I did the 5 minutes, 1 minutes again and felt like I could keep running after each 5 minutes interval. Friday, I'll pick up with the 7 minutes.

2 MONTHS TO GO

I ran the opposite direction on my laps today, doing the 5 minute running 1 minute walking. By changing directions, it changes up my hills. Instead of a few quick hills and then a slight decline, I had a slight incline with a few quick declines. I seem to like switching it up a little without having to find a whole new route.

Friday, Sept 10th

I decided to change up my running plan a little since I was in shock when my watch informed me that the first 5 minutes of running was over with. I felt like I could keep going for a while. I had started to walk but some how convinced myself that what makes me tired on the second half is the recovery time being too long. I ended up only walking for a minute and then picked up my running again. Because I was essentially cutting out 4 minutes of walk time, I decided to add an extra 5 minute interval into my running.

I plan to run my route backwards on Sunday doing the 5 minutes 1 minute. Depending on how I do, I may up my running to the 7 minutes 3 minute intervals. But I may change up recovery time since I feel more tired and have trouble starting up with long recoveries. Wow, am I complaining about recovery time? A lot has changed over the weeks of running.

Labor Day

Today I changed up my intervals to 5 minute runs, 2 minute walks. I did 4 intervals, so a total of 28 minutes working out. I had plans to do 5 intervals, but as soon as I started into the 5th, my legs felt like rubber. I ended up quitting 15 seconds in. Maybe on Wed I can do 5 intervals.

My biggest challenge to over come today was the desire to stop running when I reached my 3 minute markers. I quickly became frustrated because I did not have a marker to aim for and ability to do "stride" countdowns to. I was into my 3rd interval when I realized that my laps are 1/2 mile long, and a long term goals of mine is to be able to do 10 minute miles. So my marker should be somewhere near my start running point. Hopefully this will help on Weds when I plan to do 5 intervals.

67 more days until the Run Forest Run 5K. I'll be there, will you?

Time to get serious.

This morning I signed my husband and I up for the Run Forest Run 5K on November 13th. That's 75 days away, well 74 now that today is almost over with. Seeing how I hadn't worked out in almost 2 weeks, I felt it was important that I get out there and run today. It wasn't as painful as I thought. I did 3 minute running with 3 minute walking. Now I need to keep up with this and get serious.