Formulating Muscles

Ran quite a bit of these six miles.

The first three were easier than the last.  But, it's good to feel I'm running more and more. Pace is getting a little better.  I'm trying not to fixate on pace yet.  Right now, it's about getting myself up to speed with jogging.

However, it's amazing how I can feel my body adjusting... my legs... my abs.  I can't fit any better in my clothes.  And, there isn't any weight loss.  But, I can feel my muscles forming.

It's cool!

Sore

My body has been so tired all week.

Today I didn't even really try to run.  I needed to get a fast walk in, but my legs are so sore I just didn't want to push too hard.

After my morning power walk, I actually felt more energy and spent most of the day cleaning house.

Around 6 pm, I took my girls for a walk. Well, my oldest walked with my while my 8 year old rode her bike. My oldest, who is not the fastest runner either, assisted me in running three quarter mile sprints.  One of the books I read explained the benefit of regularly doing quarter mile sprints.  So, I figured I would try a few.  Trying to run fast for a quarter mile was much more exhausting than I expected.  But, I could absolutely see why it helps to increase speed overall.  It really trains the legs to move.  I guess I'll have to keep them up and add more.  It's great to have my girls join me but they do impact my pace.  I'll have to take turns doing some with them and many more without them.

r e s t

Everything I read about training, encourages rest.

And my body is sending me some signals too... especially after a night of play with Wilson Philips last night.

That's right, the famous 90's hit trio came thru town and offered me a very fun night.  Besides meeting the gals, who were gracious and kind and downright fun, I also was invited to dance with them on stage during the show.  (See below).

It was a great night.  But, perhaps I per took too much?  It's easy to see that alcohol needs to be eliminated from my diet during training.  It clearly has an impact on how I feel the next day.

Picking Up the Pace

Here you go. 

If you compare where I started this week to where I ended, you can easily see I'm starting to pick up the pace. 

I'm glad to see some improvement!!

Now, if I can just keep this focus....

Getting There

I like the routine of this three mile workout.  While I've been so very tired this week, it has been incredibly helpful to have this focus.  How can I improve my pace on three miles?  How can I run more?

Here, I did many more intervals.  My pace for mile three was 12:40. 

It's getting there!

Refocus

No idea why the sport of this is listed as "American Football."  Must have hit the wrong button.  Weird.

Ok.  Already beat my record of 3 miles at  42.50. That's what I'm going to focus on during the weekdays this week.  I'm not pushing mileage. 

My first week of training I got 20 miles in.  The second week, I got 21 miles.  That's great.  And, I need to remain focused on longer runs on the weekend.  But, I will never get thru a 20 mile long run (or 26.2) if I can't run more than 1 mile! 

I also think I may have pushed it too much too fast with the mileage.  I've been so very tired this week.

Benchmarking

I'm trying to refocus on jogging and less on mileage.  This week I'm trying to get more intervals in of walking/running. 

Got three miles in at 42.50.  Not great.  One mile was 13.43.  Starting with that.  That's the beginning benchmark.  Now, let's try to beat it.  Maybe I can get my pace up!