Training Update

Monday 6/30 - Ran 6.02 miles in 1:09 with an 11:37 average pace. Walked the first 2 minutes of each mile. Felt great. I honestly think the only reason I finished as quickly as I did was because there were black ominous clouds hovering over my head....was trying to finish before the sky opened up. This is what I love about running. The progress I'm making is in the numbers. My average pace is improving...my breathing is improving...the running stretches are lengthening.

Wednesday 7/2 - Ran 6 miles in 1:10. Pace was same as Monday. Felt really good. Did 1 mile run/ 2 minute walk intervals until the last mile when I was being stalked by a bee. In case you weren't aware of this....I HATE bees....and am freakishly afraid of them. This damn bee kept chasing me for nearly 1/4 mile. I'm sure my performance would have won the grand prize for funniest videos if someone had seen it....and just so happened to be carrying a camcorder at that precise moment. So after swatting and batting at this bee and running for my dear life....and running backwards and around in circles and nearly tripping and taking my hat off to try swatting at it with something other than my hand....I was so out of breath I had to stop on the side of the trail to get control of myself....and to laugh at myself for the way I was carrying on. And then when I finished and stopped to stretch I saw Bambi....literally....spots and all. Good day!

Friday 7/4 - Ran 11 with Traci and Becky. It went much better than anticipated. Finished in 2:20 with a 12:46 pace. We did 7/2 intervals. I coulda kept going but the benefits of running with friends far outweigh the benefits of improving my time. And now I type this on Saturday morning and I'm not sore in the least. Well I take that back, my right heel is giving me grief this morning....same heel problem I was having last year. But overall I feel great!

I've gotten lots of emails and comments from people saying how inspiring my progress is and I just want to say that if I can do this anyone can do this...barring physical limitations, of course....Up until last May I had never run before in my life. I couldn't run the length of two houses without my lips turning blue. Seriously. There are SO many websites out there that can get you on a program to slowly work your way up to running. One program that I know of can get a total non runner running 2 miles within 2 months using interval training. Check it out on runners world. It's so gratifying to see your progress over time. The key is you HAVE to start slow. I know running isn't for everyone but just give it try....you might like it.

There are SO many perks for me. I LOVE being outside. I LOVE seeing my progress and continuously trying to outdo myself. I LOVE the challenge. I LOVE the alone time when I'm alone and I LOVE the camaraderie among the running world and all my running friends when I'm NOT alone. And I LOVE the way I feel when I'm done. Seriously, give it a try. And then let me know so I can track your progress! =)

I'm not EVEN going to discuss my weight or smoking anymore until there is a change because I'm starting to sound a little like a broken record.