intervals

I did not want to wake up today.  But I made myself get up.  I think I was out running by 7am.  I attempted to do 1/4 mile at a faster pace, then 40 seconds of rest, and repeated it 6 times.  It was tough!  I am going to blame the humidity of 94% and the temperature already at 75F.  I did the first couple at around 7:30 min/mile, then it went downhill.  I was upset with myself, but now I am feeling good about it.  I did 3 miles when I didn't want to run, and anything is better than nothing.

My ifitness belt was bugging me today!  I am trying to wear it a lot, as I want to get used to it for longer runs.  For the first time it kept riding up.  Maybe it had gotten too loose somehow.  I will need to look into it.

The Quench Retractable Hydration Belt.  I am yet to use the two water bottle holsters.  Though, am looking forward to it for my long runs.  As long as I can fix the problem I had this morning with it!

get fast

I'm terrible at blogging.  But I love to read blogs.  I love to know what other people are doing, how they are improving.  It's hard, I feel that I am an incredibly average runner.  Every blog I have been reading are always from 'fast' runners. This isn't a bad thing.  In fact, it motivates me.  But I want to see where they started and how they got to where they are.

So.  I am going to try to continue with my blog.  To post all my incredibly 'average' runs.  And I know for some people I am considered 'fast'.  If you run a 15 minute mile, you may think a 12 minute mile is fast.  I average between 9-10 minute miles, usually stuck right in the middle.  I want to get fast.  Fast for me would be 8 minute miles.  I think it is doable... eventually.  I just need to get my butt into gear and work on it!

My training is now to get out of my comfort zone.  Not to run all the same pace.  To push harder. Go further. Go faster.

Here is a look at my first interval run, with my lovely Garmin.  (Which, by the way, I did get for my birthday!)

Split	Time	Distance	Avg Pace
Summary	30:38.7	3.01	10:11
1	5:05.3	0.50	10:09
2	3:51.1	0.50	7:42
3	3:00.0	0.17	17:31
4	3:46.1	0.50	7:32
5	3:00.0	0.18	16:14
6	3:54.9	0.50	7:50
7	3:00.0	0.16	18:21
8	5:01.2	0.49	10:15

It was tough!  Probably tougher than it should have been.  I started with a 1/2 mile warm up, then went at a difficult speed for 1/2 a mile, then walked for 3 minutes.  I did 3 repeats, then a 1/2 mile cool down.

Now, I am still not sure if what I did was right.  I think I may change it to a fast 1/4 mile, then 1-2 minutes of walking/slow jogging.  I think as long as I keep pushing, I am bound to improve!