Well, things are rolling along. In fact, last Saturday, they rolled along to the tune of 12 miles. For the locals - or former - who are aware of our area, I left my house, went up 14th street into Carlton, down the Munger Trail all the way to the Buffalo House in 2 hours and 10 minutes. Certainly not elite runner status, but perfectly OK by me. Let me just say one last time (OK, maybe not the last) the run/walk method is DA BOMB - at least for me.
I started out running for 5 minutes and then walking for one. I kept that up until about mile 8. Then it went down to about 4 minutes of running for 90 seconds of walking. And then the last two miles were just random running and walking as I had some pretty extensive patches of snow and ice to deal with. But all in all, I never got overly tired. My legs were a little sore the last mile or so, but definitely nothing unbearable. It went 100% better than my 8-miler two weeks ago, and I'm convinced that it's because of the walk breaks every five minutes.
The thing that was the most exciting to me was that two weeks ago, I was worried about having to run 4 miles a day during my training runs. Now, I'm beginning to be able to comprehend 26.7 miles and I'm beginning to believe that it'll be possible!
The another nice thing was the level of concern for my health by friends and family. Before I left, Becky was instructing me about not being afraid to stop if I had chest pains, etc. She was also a bit worried that since I was on the bike trail that she wouldn't be able to scrape me up if I hurt myself somehow.
Also, about two miles in, I ran by a friend's house. I heard someone yell my name and turned around to see her running after me with a Gatorade gel pack and some toilet paper in her hand - just in case I needed either of them. I had to chuckle a little, but just the fact that people are offering support in small ways like this is really making this journey a lot easier. (And I told her that I actually did already have toilet paper with me!)
Anyways, we're still waiting for the weather to change up here. Should be done raining/snowing and the 24 mph winds should die down by Thursday and temps should creep in to the 50's by next Tuesday. I really can't wait to get on some trails, but at least I was able to get outside on Saturday.
Thanks again to all of you who have offered supportive comments and to those who are just checking in. It is really, really, really helping me keep going!
Here's this week's plan:
Week #7 – April 28-May 4th
Mon. – 5 miles
Tues. – 5 miles, Cruise Intervals
Wed. – 5 miles
Thurs. – 12 Hill repeats (or an outdoor trail?)
Fri. – 4 miles
Sat. – 6 miles Progression
Sun. - Rest TOTAL MILES = 25-31 (If I can get on a trail.)
I started out running for 5 minutes and then walking for one. I kept that up until about mile 8. Then it went down to about 4 minutes of running for 90 seconds of walking. And then the last two miles were just random running and walking as I had some pretty extensive patches of snow and ice to deal with. But all in all, I never got overly tired. My legs were a little sore the last mile or so, but definitely nothing unbearable. It went 100% better than my 8-miler two weeks ago, and I'm convinced that it's because of the walk breaks every five minutes.
The thing that was the most exciting to me was that two weeks ago, I was worried about having to run 4 miles a day during my training runs. Now, I'm beginning to be able to comprehend 26.7 miles and I'm beginning to believe that it'll be possible!
The another nice thing was the level of concern for my health by friends and family. Before I left, Becky was instructing me about not being afraid to stop if I had chest pains, etc. She was also a bit worried that since I was on the bike trail that she wouldn't be able to scrape me up if I hurt myself somehow.
Also, about two miles in, I ran by a friend's house. I heard someone yell my name and turned around to see her running after me with a Gatorade gel pack and some toilet paper in her hand - just in case I needed either of them. I had to chuckle a little, but just the fact that people are offering support in small ways like this is really making this journey a lot easier. (And I told her that I actually did already have toilet paper with me!)
Anyways, we're still waiting for the weather to change up here. Should be done raining/snowing and the 24 mph winds should die down by Thursday and temps should creep in to the 50's by next Tuesday. I really can't wait to get on some trails, but at least I was able to get outside on Saturday.
Thanks again to all of you who have offered supportive comments and to those who are just checking in. It is really, really, really helping me keep going!
Here's this week's plan:
Week #7 – April 28-May 4th
Mon. – 5 miles
Tues. – 5 miles, Cruise Intervals
Wed. – 5 miles
Thurs. – 12 Hill repeats (or an outdoor trail?)
Fri. – 4 miles
Sat. – 6 miles Progression
Sun. - Rest TOTAL MILES = 25-31 (If I can get on a trail.)