Yesterday was a BEAUTIFUL spring day, and I decided that I'd change things up a little bit and take a break from the treadmill. I walked/ran around the park behind my apartment several times instead of running on a treadmill indoors staring at a wall. Physically, it was more challenging, but mentally it was MUCH more pleasant.
I may have to start back at week 3 or so running outside because although those streets looked flat while I was in a car they really are at a slight incline, and I'm convinced now that the whole route is uphill.
For the first few times around I used the C25K app, but I wasn't able to follow the schedule, at least not week 6. I was able to keep running for two minutes, but I realized that I wasn't going to make it to eight, so I just quit and started walking. It's not as big a deal if on a treadmill you have suddenly reached your physical limit, but when you're a mile away from your apartment with Jell-O legs, that is a big deal. I am going to back up to week 4, I believe, and maybe stay there for a few weeks until I get used to it...
I had already gone over two miles in thirty minutes (indicating that my inability to endure as long probably had as much to do with pace as it did with incline) but I decided to continue walking another mile using my Strands GPS workout tracker for iPhone. It worked really well, and I was able to track my route and measure the distance more accurately than saying "well, it's about a mile." My route was 1.13 miles each way, and I went around three times, so I'm rounding it to 3.3 miles...
It's discouraging at how much less I can do outside than I could on a treadmill, but I am going to try to keep a positive attitude about it and just go back as far as I need to and start with a clean slate. I know I can still do this. I may have to go back a little bit, and I may have to find a flatter place to run, but I can do it.
Distance: 3.3 miles
Time: 45 minutes(ish)
Outside!
Showing posts with label Week 6. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Week 6. Show all posts
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Day 26: Dreadmill
This entry is really belated, but better late than never.
On Friday I exceeded my 50 mile mark, but I was feeling very discouraged after I couldn't make it through my first run. I have decided that it's due to the treadmill and the mental strength running on it demands.
On Saturday I bought my first pair of REAL running shoes at Runner's Corner in Orem, UT. They were so wonderful and treated me like I was a real runner. It was really encouraging.
I am trying to decide whether I want to continue the C25K outside, take a break for a while, or what. Because feeling discouraged is not going to fly with me. I'm going to at least continue staying active because even though I've begun to dread running on the treadmill, I do know that I am happier with my life when I'm exercising regularly.
The workout:
Treadmill
Mile Pace: 15:28
31 minutes, 2.0% incline
2.00 miles
On Friday I exceeded my 50 mile mark, but I was feeling very discouraged after I couldn't make it through my first run. I have decided that it's due to the treadmill and the mental strength running on it demands.
On Saturday I bought my first pair of REAL running shoes at Runner's Corner in Orem, UT. They were so wonderful and treated me like I was a real runner. It was really encouraging.
I am trying to decide whether I want to continue the C25K outside, take a break for a while, or what. Because feeling discouraged is not going to fly with me. I'm going to at least continue staying active because even though I've begun to dread running on the treadmill, I do know that I am happier with my life when I'm exercising regularly.
The workout:
Treadmill
Mile Pace: 15:28
31 minutes, 2.0% incline
2.00 miles
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
Day 25: Fiddy
Guess who has pretty much hit the fifty mile mark? ME!
I hit another mental block today but eh. It was purely mental because I asked my body how it felt, and it said that everything was just fine, but my brain said that it just wasn't going to happen. This was, again, in the last three minutes of the last run. I compromised with my brain; I walked for one minute and then ran the last two.
Honestly, though, the fact that I even ran on the treadmill at all was a miracle. I am so tired physically and mentally from this semester that I didn't even want to get in the car to drive to the gym, and even after I got there, I felt like just laying down on an exercise ball and taking a long nap. But not only did I run on the treadmill, but I even did MOST of week 6, day 2.
Victory.
My workout was:
Week 6, Day 2
2.24 miles in 33 minutes, 2.0% incline
Average Mile Pace: 14:47
I hit another mental block today but eh. It was purely mental because I asked my body how it felt, and it said that everything was just fine, but my brain said that it just wasn't going to happen. This was, again, in the last three minutes of the last run. I compromised with my brain; I walked for one minute and then ran the last two.
Honestly, though, the fact that I even ran on the treadmill at all was a miracle. I am so tired physically and mentally from this semester that I didn't even want to get in the car to drive to the gym, and even after I got there, I felt like just laying down on an exercise ball and taking a long nap. But not only did I run on the treadmill, but I even did MOST of week 6, day 2.
Victory.
My workout was:
Week 6, Day 2
2.24 miles in 33 minutes, 2.0% incline
Average Mile Pace: 14:47
Monday, April 19, 2010
Day 24: A Good Day
Today was an extremely good day. I definitely pushed all my limits today, and I'm really glad that I've been increasing my mental stamina because I needed it during the last final exam of my academic career this morning. I woke up this morning at 2 AM and studied all morning, then took my exam at 11. I finished it a little early, sold my text book back for $100 at the bookstore, and then slept for a few hours. That $100 will be the perfect funding for my running shoes this weekend!
So after I took a much-needed nap, I went to the gym, and COMPLETED week 6, day 1. It was tough mentally but physically I was okay, even though I barely slept. From now on running will be easier because life will be much less stressful, I will be eating better, and I will be sleeping at night.
I still feel like I've made it through the toughest part, and I'm really getting there!
Oh, and I'm still looking for a 100-mile reward, so please help me out with suggestions!
My workout was:
Week 6, Day 1
2.29 miles in 34 minutes, 2.0% incline
Average Mile Pace: 14:58
So after I took a much-needed nap, I went to the gym, and COMPLETED week 6, day 1. It was tough mentally but physically I was okay, even though I barely slept. From now on running will be easier because life will be much less stressful, I will be eating better, and I will be sleeping at night.
I still feel like I've made it through the toughest part, and I'm really getting there!
Oh, and I'm still looking for a 100-mile reward, so please help me out with suggestions!
My workout was:
Week 6, Day 1
2.29 miles in 34 minutes, 2.0% incline
Average Mile Pace: 14:58
Friday, April 16, 2010
Day 23: My First Real Encounter with "Failure"
Today was the first day I have succumbed to the treadmill and let it win, but that's not to say that today was lacking its own victories. First of all, week 6 day 1 is the first time I've attempted a workout that I haven't been able to finish. The fact that I couldn't finish it means that I have learned to challenge myself beyond comfort, and that's an accomplishment. Also, I ran further today than I ever have before. I also went to the gym every day this week without a buddy. And last but not least, I didn't feel up to going to the gym today, but I still did it, and I actually didn't do too bad even at that.
So the last three minutes of the third run, I bailed and walked the rest of it. My mistake is that on the first five-minute run, I ran 5.0 mph, which is 0.5 mph above my usual pace of 4.5 mph. Doesn't sound like much, but starting out your workout by exhausting yourself is NOT a good idea. I've learned my lesson.
Today has also taught me the importance of diet. It is cramming week, and I am cramming. I have been cramming information into my head, which has unfortunately been accompanied by my cramming food into my mouth. I ate nothing but pure crap today, and actually for the past two days, and I felt every gram of saturated fat and high fructose corn syrup on the treadmill this afternoon. Maybe I'll... diet.
I try to avoid four-letter words here, but it's nearly 11PM, and the kids should already be in bed.
On a happier note, in case you haven't been tracking the ticker, I am up to 45 miles! Five more miles until my nifty new running shoes! I think the next mile stone (if you will pardon my pun) should be 100 miles. And then what shall I give myself? My only restriction is that it should be not be food-related. I eat good food all the time, and I refuse to use it only as a reward. And by "not food related" I don't exclude cool gadgets used to MAKE good food. :) I'm taking your reader suggestions, so slip it in the box!
My workout was:
Week 6, Day 1
2.31 miles in 34 minutes, 2.0% incline
Average Mile Pace: 15:02
So the last three minutes of the third run, I bailed and walked the rest of it. My mistake is that on the first five-minute run, I ran 5.0 mph, which is 0.5 mph above my usual pace of 4.5 mph. Doesn't sound like much, but starting out your workout by exhausting yourself is NOT a good idea. I've learned my lesson.
Today has also taught me the importance of diet. It is cramming week, and I am cramming. I have been cramming information into my head, which has unfortunately been accompanied by my cramming food into my mouth. I ate nothing but pure crap today, and actually for the past two days, and I felt every gram of saturated fat and high fructose corn syrup on the treadmill this afternoon. Maybe I'll... diet.
I try to avoid four-letter words here, but it's nearly 11PM, and the kids should already be in bed.
On a happier note, in case you haven't been tracking the ticker, I am up to 45 miles! Five more miles until my nifty new running shoes! I think the next mile stone (if you will pardon my pun) should be 100 miles. And then what shall I give myself? My only restriction is that it should be not be food-related. I eat good food all the time, and I refuse to use it only as a reward. And by "not food related" I don't exclude cool gadgets used to MAKE good food. :) I'm taking your reader suggestions, so slip it in the box!
My workout was:
Week 6, Day 1
2.31 miles in 34 minutes, 2.0% incline
Average Mile Pace: 15:02
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
