W5 D1

I'm starting to worry that I'm developing a preference for nasty weather. The two runs I've done outside in the rain have been my two most enjoyable runs. Maybe not in terms of physical comfort, but I just feel like I've really accomplished something when I finish.

I did 3 miles today! It took about 35 minutes and of those I walked at least 16, so I think I'm moving at a decent pace during my running segments. I had absolutely no trouble with the running portions at all. I'm excited about the rest of this week!!

It was rainy, but not cold (~52 degrees) which was kind of perfect. The only problem was the water from puddles/passing cars/etc. saturated my shoes and shoelaces and kind of killed the support. So I ended up with a couple aches I don't usually have but I don't think they'll linger.

I was really attached to the treadmill when I started, but I'm kinda over it. When I have to set the pace I'm going to go, I feel like I can't adjust it to how I feel. I think the treadmill will be a useful tool next winter (when I'm running without walk breaks and am more accustomed to the pace I want to run at) but for now, I'm done with it. It's still March so the weather won't be fantastic, but I can run on the indoor track on campus if need be.


Oh yeah, one more thing - check out my mileage. I've run a marathon this year! Yeah, a lot of runners do that and much more in a week, and yeah it took me 13 runs, but I'm chalking it up as a success anyway :)

W4D1

I feel wildly successful today - I wasn't too concerned about the transition from Week 3 to Week 4, but looking back, those 5min runs are almost double the 3min ones ... and you jump right into that first 3min ... and there's less rest ... and the whole thing is flat-out longer ...

but it was great!

I even did it outside! If you remember a few weeks back, running outside didn't agree with me ... at all. I ended up with a somewhat seriously injured calf. Yesterday was pain-free. Except for my skin. Which ... is my fault.

See, it was about 56 degrees yesterday morning. Unfortunately, I didn't run in the morning. I ran at 6p. It turns out a 6p it was about 38 ... and raining. Did I dress for 38 and raining?

Nope. Not one bit. I did wear pants and a jacket - but no gloves, no head covering, no warm layer (I was trying to avoid something that would soak up water and get heavy). It was COLD.

I did about 2.5 mi -- the course was just out and back from my apartment. Problem is, the out was with the wind ... and the back was against it - so wind in my face, rain in my face (pure joy, eh?)

However - I was running along feeling stupid about running outside in the cold rain and then I got to my turnaround. The second I headed back the other direction I realized my wind/rain problem. And suprisingly, I got pumped. I went from being an idiot and running in the cold rain to a hard core "What rain!?" kinda girl. I picked up my pace, I ran taller, I was amazing.

The last couple minutes were HARD and I basically scrapped the cooldown due to wanting to go inside really badly. But it was awe.some.

Unfortunately, the next two runs of this week are going to be treadmill-bound. That 56 degree and sunny into 38 degree and rainy yesterday turned into a 28 degree and freezing rain today. And that's what the week pretty much looks like. Oh well.

note: I'm thinking Mr. Nike needs some calibration ... because I don't think I was putting up that kind of pace.