Week 5: Seeing Some Health Improvement

I fit in all 5 runs this week. I'm really beginning to feel the addiction on the rest days. I just want to run everyday. But, I know that that would be a good way to get injured. I haven't seen any weight loss yet, but I really don't expect any right now. My appetite is in check, but I still weigh about 217, which is about 3.5 lbs heavier than when I began the running program. I've done some investigating and it appears I'll begin to see some noticeable weight loss when I build my weekly base mileage up to about 20 mpw.

I've also been looking into heart monitors for training purposes. I've got my eye on what appears to be the best one, and that's the Polar S625X. I won't shell out the $350 for it, though, until I have achieved the 20 mpw base mileage that is one of my short term goals.

I took my blood pressure a couple days ago and my bp is no longer borderline (c. 130/80), but is around 120/80. Also, my resting heart rate has gone down from 65 to 59.

Day 25, 26, 27, & 28: Extreme Heat

I finished my runs out this week by running in the morning. It was too hot to run during the day. Next week, it will be 5 sessions of alternating 6 minutes of running with 2 minutes of walking and repeating 3 times. The walking braks will start to taper off after next week.

Day 23 & 24

Day 23 went well, but my shoes were wet, so I ran in a newer pair that I hadn't intended on using yet. However, after running in them, my joints and feet don't hurt as much, so I think I'll continue to wear them when I run. Day 24 was a rest day.

Day 20, 21, & 22: Let It Rain!!

Finished up the 3 minutes running and 2 minutes walking cycles on Saturday, and rested Sunday. This week, it will be 5 days of running 5 minutes, followed by walking 2 minutes, and repeating 2 times. Today's run involved getting soaked in a summer downpour. It was a lot of fun, and even my daughter enjoyed running in it. I did let her go home early, though, as we passed our house on the run.

Day 19: Late Start

I had a tournament chess game last night which contributed to me getting a late start this morning. Nonetheless, I had a good run, covering a full 1.5 miles with the 4 repeats of running 3 minutes followed by walking 2 minutes. Now, as a rule, I never to the last 2 minutes of walking as dictated by the program. Instead, I simply walk home as a cooldown. I know my body has to adjust, but I'm getting a little anxious to determine what my mile pace is currently. I don't have any fancy gadgets, so I can only estimate it at this point. What I think I'm running (if I can hold that pace for the entire mile) is a 9:00 mile. Gee! If I can hold that pace for 26.2 miles, I'll surely meet my marathon goal of sub-4:00:00. I have quite a bit of base-building yet to go before I can do that, however. Hmmm, and if I could somehow manage to drive my pace up to an 8:00 mile...sub-3:30:00?! We shall see...we shall see....I just have to avoid the temptation to push myself so hard that I get injured.

Day 17 & 18

Yesterday was a rest day. Today was a nice, cool day to run. My daughter is starting to lag behind in the runs, as she's not used to running for 3 minutes straight at a time. I'd like to get her to the point where she can run for 20 minutes straight before I cut her loose from these training sessions. She definitely needs the exercise, and I think this would be good physical preparation before she starts back at school.

Day 16: Rainy Morning

It rained this morning, so I ran at night after the rain had let up. My daughter tood a rest today. Still plugging away!

Day 13, 14, & 15: New Ramp Up

Day 13 and 14 were vacation days, and I didn't run on either. This morning I began a new ramped up schedule consisting of 4 runs of 3 minutes alternated inbetween with 2 minute walks. My daughter was really challenged by this, but stuck it out like a trooper.

Day 12: Feeling Strong

I had to refrain from running all out today, although I really felt on top of the world. My daughter took a break today, so I ran alone. I made it just shy of 1.5 miles doing the alternating running and walking. This works out to a 12 minute mile. If I straight out ran the whole way, I estimate that my pace would have been somewhere between 8 and 10 minutes per mile. This is a very acceptable starting point.

Day 10 & 11

I've pretty much adjusted to this week's workload. I ran today with no problems, although my daughter slowed me down a little. I have two more days of running left this week, one of which will be in St. Louis, MO.

Day 9: Legs Are a Little Tired

I stuck it out the whole way, though. My daughter whined the whole way, but she made it through, too. I'm sure that by the end of the week, our bodies will have adjusted to the added workload.

Day 7 & 8: Ramping Up to 2/2

Sunday was a rest day. Today I began this week's schedule which involves 5 repititions of 2 minutes of running followed by 2 minutes of walking. This increased workload was more of a challenge, but I managed to cover about 1.4 miles. I will repeat today's run 4 more times this week and once again ramp up next week.

Day 6: Going Strong

My daughter and I had no problems completing today's workout. My legs area already getting some tone to them. I'll have a rest day tomorrow and continue with the program on Monday.

Day 5: A Cooler Day

My daughter and I got a little break from the heat this morning. She was still a little whiny in the middle of the run, but started and finished strong. We've got one more day of 1 minute runs followed by 2 minute walking breaks, and next week we'll begin something just slightly more challenging.