First Group Run (Walk)

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 people all walking at the same pace. I've been in my own head with my own thoughts and breaking out of that is a bit strange. The guy I walked with is doing the Disney Marathon in December, which is cool. The other people are all doing the MO'Cowbell 10k in October.

The training, it's going to push me to improve. I will most likely stay in the walking group because I don't think I will be in the 0:12:30 group by October. Next week will be a little strange with my running on my own. I will be doing an easy run Monday at lunch, the Tempo/Speed group training on Tuesday evening, then in Indianapolis I will be doing a very early run on Thursday for 40 minutes, and Saturday (we'll see if I get my whole run in) I will be doing my long run. I am hopeful I will get my runs in this week. The coach wants us to be at 4 runs a week for my 10k running group by the end of August, so with that being said, 4 runs a week (possibly only 3) for the week.

It's time to work on my school work so I can finish this class before leaving for Indianapolis Wednesday for Gencon.

Thanks for reading.

-Riley
 

Running Race Pace for 2 Miles During my Lunch

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 everything I can, it's only fair that I do that since I signed up for this.

My run was a bit odd, I set my watch to miles instead of time and getting my walk run rhythm was difficult. I didn't know how long I was running compared to how long I was walking. On those long runs that are miles based I'm going to need to figure something out. Tomorrow is an easy 45 minute run, then Saturday is a 3 miler.

I think that's all for today. Thanks for reading.

-Riley

My Friday Run

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 still overall kept where I needed to by a mix of walking and running.

Now that I've cooled down I'm really hungry.

Thanks for reading.

 -Riley

10k Meeting and Today's Run

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 which pace group I'll be with as well what my goals will be fore each run during the week. Then the long run for Saturday will be 3 miles in a hilly park.

Post Run

Here I am, a sweaty mess after my run but glad I did it. I was second guessing heading out to run today, but got ready anyway. Then when the time to go came, it was easier to get out the door. Today it was cloud cover and humid, the temperature wasn't too high, but I could feel the humidity. I did better with my running portion today, and will try to do the same thing on Thursday. I only had small breaks in the run and was able to go further with each running segment.

I'm finding my new balance are heavy, but with my shoe size I'm going to guess most shoes are heavy. So when it comes time to replace them it will be with something lighter. It feels like I am running with weights on my feet the longer I run. The Torin 7 is a lighter shoe, so I am looking forward to those a little more now. 

That's it for today. Thanks for reading.

-Riley

Not Wanting to Run and Cloud Cover

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 in front of the other and I made it out to where running was feeling better.

I'm nervous about running as far as I can nonstop. I'm just progressively increasing my run time with my walk run in steady increments. I look forward to see what my training plan will look like for my 10k.

I'm still struggling nutrition wise, eating out too much. It's a hard habit to break. But when I cook dinner at home it have been better for us (I think). I have lots of snacks that are better for me around the house too. Speaking of which, I'm off to have one of those snacks.

Thanks for reading.

-Riley

First Run of the Week and Signing Up for Training

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 (zone 2). I was able to go further today before it went up. I tried not taking one of my medications this morning to see if that would lower my heart rate, and I think it did. Now that I'm done with my run I will be taking it though.

Overall good first run of the week. Thanks for reading.

 -Riley

Building Momentum and Today's Ramblings

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 built up. With my academic momentum, finishing this paper should help in getting that started again, the next course in my program is one I am more familiar with so my goal is to finish that as quick as I can.

Post Run (7/7/23)

I did it. I made it through my run today! It's fairly nice outside, around 80° and the sun is out. About half way through my run I really started to feel the sun, but it was alright with my cold electrolyte drink in hand. I am finding my leg endurance isn't as high as I think it should be. More runs will help that and getting in cross training should help too. I also think different shoes will help as well. I am used to walking in shoes like Altras or Whitins that have a larger toe box than my new balance do and no drop. I really noticed that my New Balance are a little snugger than I really like and the heel is huge. I think my next shoe after my New Balance will be a pair of Topos, since they have that wider toe box also and a lower drop than what I'm in now.

I ran my regular route I've done the past couple of weeks, and due to the holiday it was garbage day. I avoided running next to most of it, but towards mile two I wasn't paying attention and got a nose full of stink.

The run did help me mentally, I'm feeling better than I have been. I can think a little more clearly as well. Getting my marketing paper done should be a lot easier now.

That's it for my rambling today. Thanks for reading.

-Riley

I Couched to 5k

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 picking up where my 5k training ended. I will be signing up for my 10k training (hopefully tomorrow if I can finish my marketing course by then). One of the runs for the week is in the evening with the training group on Tuesdays. Then there is another group run on Saturday mornings. The training is for roughly 9 weeks.

I think that sums up my thoughts for today. Thanks for reading.

-Riley

Missed Saturday and the Race is Tomorrow

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