Running Giant: My Journey

This morning was my first group run at Queeny Park, there were easily over 100 people there. Considering there are 45 people in the 10k training group I am part of it makes sense that there are a lot. The run (walk) was very hilly. According to my watch, I did 25 sets of stairs during the hour-long workout. My heart rate stayed fairly low the whole time save when we faced monster hills, then it shot up high. But I didn't keel over so it looks like I'm doing alright. I met some really nice people and look forward to working with them as I train. Making new friends is always nice right? I didn't run any of the 3 miles that I did. It was all a walking effort. It was really picturesque with the gravel path that winds through a wooded area with a couple of cool-looking ponds. If I remember when I do my next group long run I'll get some pictures of where we go, there are supposed to be some nice parks that we'll be going to. I felt a little weird being in a group of peopl...

Yesterday's Run After that 2 mile run, I am a bit shaky. It was hot, cloud cover came in and a breeze was present so not as hot as it could have been. But I got my baseline run in, and the time submitted to the racing coach. It was a rough run. I really pushed it the first half mile of the run (after the half mile warm up). I should have pushed a little more during my warmup to get past some of that running discomfort that happens during that first mile. I did think multiple times before mile one was finished that I should give up and just head home. I was suffering from stinkin thinkin. After I got past mile one it was easier because I was beyond the half way point and knew I could finish it. After the run I got my numbers submitted for which pace group I would be in for my 10k training. A few hours later I got my pace group assignment. I was put in with the walking group. It was a bit frustrating to think I'm so slow that I'm considered to be walking. But I will give it ...

I thought I would give my training plan a go for the 10k. The month's training plan was sent out Wednesday and I have been staring at it and questioning if I could do it. So I decided I would give it a try since I had a couple of runs this week to still do. My run was zone 3 training. It had a 5 minute warmup in heart rate zone 2, then 30 minutes running in zone 3, and then a 5 minute cool down in zone 2. It was challenging, but I did it. It is the fastest average speed I've run since I started running again. It's really cool to see progress. I also got a different message on my watch about my recovery time, instead of "train as usual" it has "Easy Effort Recommended." So according to my watch I worked harder today than previous days, that's a win in my book. I didn't keep to my run walk that I was doing. I focused on my heart rate, if it got to high I walked or did a slow run. I did stop and walk a couple of times when I was in the right zone. I...

Before Running I went to the intro meeting Sunday night for the 10k training. I had mixed feelings coming out of the meeting, thinking to myself, "What the hell have I gotten myself into?" It looks like there will be a lot of growing as I do this program. By the end of August I will be doing 4 runs a week with speed work on Tuesday nights and my long run on Saturdays. My speed will increase and I hope my weight will decrease more than it has the past couple of months. This week my runs will be today and Thursday 8 min. run / 2 min. walk 4 times and Saturday 8 min. run / 1 min. walk 5 times. This is not on the running plan I used for the couch to 5k program I used, I'm just following the progression it set up until I get my training plan next Monday.  My training will be zone and time training instead of distance (from what I understand). Tuesday next week will be getting base line for 2 miles, so pushing it as hard as I can for that distance. This will help determine whic...

Before the Run It's Thursday morning and I'll be candid, I am not feeling like running today. I'll still be running and my goal is to reach the 55 minute run that I have planned. I will be stepping out to lunch a little early so I can get it in and have time to change and hydrate when I get back. To help get me out on my run today I have my running clothes right behind me for easy access and a consistent reminder of what I'll be doing today. With the training I signed up for I will be going to a meeting about it Sunday night to review training plans and what not. So that's exciting that it's moving forward. Post Run It was humid outside with a lot of cloud cover today during my run. The temperature wasn't as high as it was on Tuesday which was nice. I was just shy of 5k for the run. I was reminded of the first 3/4 mile is rough, my body was yelling at me, legs were burning, heart rate was good though. I just kept focused on my heart rate and getting one foot...

Before the Run Originally I didn't run Saturday because I thought I would be able to get my run in on Monday. But due to some things that came up my schedule was changed and I am running on my normal day of Tuesday. My run today should be about a 5k at about the pace of my 5k last week. This 5k will only have one hill between mile 1 & 2, and it's not close to what the hills were last week.I will be running it today and Thursday. I did sign up for the 10k training, and filled out a few forms for it, one of which was my fastest 5k. I was happy to see I was at 36 minutes for my fastest 5k, it gave me a bit of hope that I'll be able to get back there again. Post Run I made it 2.62 miles at a slightly slower pace than my 5k. Around mile 2 the heat got me. I was also almost out of my electrolyte water and was standing in the shade. That's when I decided to just head home and be in as much shade as possible (there was hardly any). I kept a good average heart rate of 140 (z...

Before the Run It's Thursday morning, and my run was going to be later today. Mentally I'm not feeling the best. I hope my run will help me get out of my funk a little and give me the momentum to start feeling better. But it didn't end up happening. I will try again tomorrow. I haven't signed up for the 10k training yet. I am still working on my marketing course. Hopefully, today will be the end of that course. I need to plan how to make that hope a reality. The course has a final paper (which I'm currently working on) that's a marketing plan. I have it almost complete. It's just getting the last few paragraphs done. I've been working on the class for quite a while and don't feel like I have any momentum built up to finish it easily. It's all muscling through it at this point. I think momentum is what I need right now. Mentally, academically, and even in running. My missing runs over the past couple of weeks has really eaten away at what I had bu...

I have now officially gone from couch to 5k. Silvia and I finished the race, and she did it while pushing a 4-year-old. It was as perfect weather as possible on a July morning (just over 70° at the start). Starting the run, there was a decline for about 1/3 a mile, then it seemed like the rest of the race was uphill. It wasn't steep, just a hill that never ended. It really had that uphill feeling the whole race. There were 881 racers. I didn't come in last, which I am grateful for. My heart rate was high the entire race. When racing, it makes sense that it would be because of pushing harder. Looking at it now, I am not 100% I was ready for it. Missing runs over the past few weeks really hurt. I didn't think they would have that big of an impact. I am glad I did the race, even without being 100% ready. It's been a chance to dip my toe in the water getting back into running. And I got a shiny new medal to add to my small collection. I will start working on the 10k by pick...

This is a quick note, I missed Saturday's run because of birthday parties and the weather. I still think I'm ready. I will walk a lot today, and tomorrow is the Firecracker 5k. We picked up our packets yesterday and will leave before 6:00am to ensure we get to the race with time to park. Thanks for reading. -Riley