5K Training Update

Here’s what’s been going on…

My “long run” each week had been as long as 5 miles to-date. I’ve been more or less able to maintain a 10-minute per mile pace on the two 5-mile runs I’ve done so far, despite having to take about three short speed-walking intervals during the 5 miles. It’s a killer and I wonder if I’m pushing myself too hard, but no pain, no gain, right? It doesn’t leave me with any post-run pain, it’s just agony getting through the run at the pace I push myself to.

Running the 5-milers has made me really wonder if I ever want to run a half-marathon or even a 10K for that matter! Maybe I should just become a serious 5K runner for now. My weekly 5K run (3.1 miles) has become my quick and “easy” workout of the week! However, I do think it’d be cool to someday run a half-marathon, but at this point it seems a long way off!! We’ll see…

As for my quick and easy workout…I’ve totally abandoned utilizing any walking intervals during my weekly 3.1-mile run. I try to run at 6.5 mph for at least the first 15 minutes, and then I might throw in a short interval of slower running (no less than 5.5 mph, then work back up to 6.5 mph, and vary the speed as needed to get through the run and/or achieve the time I want! My best time to-date is 29 minutes and some change, which translates to between 9 and 10 minutes per mile.

Lately I’ve been wondering about my ability to “run in real life” as opposed to on a treadmill. During my transition from park to treadmill back in the fall, I had no problem doing a few treadmill runs and then hitting the park. However, now I’ve been all-treadmill for like three months, so I worry about how I’ll do when I can’t set the ground beneath me to move at 6.5 mph (especially considering the fact that I really turn up the mph on the t-mill and make myself work)! Too bad I’m too much of a pansy to run outside in the cold, but that’s how it is. Next week I’ll be visiting the California relatives, and will get in a few outdoor runs, so then I’ll know how I’m doing. (Weather in South San Francisco looks like it has been averaging highs in the mid-50s and lows in the mid-40s...that is weather I can run in!)

I’m still really enjoying my strength/cardio days on the days I’m not running. I spend more time at the gym on those days, but it’s well worth it. I found on a calendar where I had noted my weight before I met with my trainer and added the strength/cardio stuff (approximately two and a half months ago). Turns out I’ve lost at least ten pounds so far! My primary goal is to be able to run my 5K without keeling over, but weight-loss is a neat side effect!

As I mentioned, next week I’ll be in California, so I’ll try to do a blog post shortly after the trip to share my adventures. In the meantime, I’m a better “micro-blogger” than a blogger, so if you’re interested in what I’m doing and what I have to say, follow me on Twitter at http://twitter.com/joangrott.

P.S.-less than five weeks until my Disney World 5K!!!