You may have noticed that although I am running more minutes, my times have not been quicker, although I'm going the same distance. This is true, and it's because my running pace has been slowing down the longer my intervals are. Now, normally this would bother me quite a bit. I think to myself "I don't want to hurt my pace just for the sake of running longer." However - I need to shake myself of this mentality! (And you do too, if you are doing C25K!) I am running slower because I know I will be running for a longer time - this is called "pacing yourself." I didn't do this knowingly - it just kinda happened naturally. If I push myself the first minute of the run, I find myself really panting and not feeling so good the next couple minutes of the run. I know, for the sake of endurance, I need to run at a more manageable pace - and I need to be okay with that!
C25K isn't about training you to run your fastest - it is about building up your endurance! My goal is to run 30 mins straight. It's not about how fast I run it - it's about running it without stopping. That should be my first goal! Once I can do that without too much trouble, then I can focus on improving my time.
All that to say - if you are experiencing the same thing as me, don't dismay! Just think about how much progress you are making in endurance! You are doing an amazing thing!
C25K Week 5 Day 1
Max run: 6 minsTotal Distance: 2.58
Total Time: 36:54
How it felt: I did 5 min run + 3 min walk, 6r + 3w, then 5r. This is a lot more running than walking than I'm used to, but overall I felt I handled it pretty well. I am definitely starting to cross over into the territory where it is more mental than physical hurdles. The next two workouts I will have 8 minute runs, which is quite a jump from the 5 mins I did all last week and the 6 mins I did today. We'll see how it goes!
C25K Week 5 Day 2
Max run: 8 mins
Total Distance: 2.77 miles
Total Time: 38:55
How it felt: Today was one of the hardest days yet, for sure, but I am so proud of myself! I haven't run anything close to 8 minutes straight since college (and even then, it was probably only a handful of times). I started to feel a little sick at the end of my last running interval, but I was able to push through knowing I was almost done. :-) Next week is two 8 minute runs with a 5 minute walk in between. I'm feeling pretty ready.
How it felt: Today was one of the hardest days yet, for sure, but I am so proud of myself! I haven't run anything close to 8 minutes straight since college (and even then, it was probably only a handful of times). I started to feel a little sick at the end of my last running interval, but I was able to push through knowing I was almost done. :-) Next week is two 8 minute runs with a 5 minute walk in between. I'm feeling pretty ready.
C25K Week 5 Day 3
Max run: 8 mins
Total Distance: 2.47
Total Time: 34:00
How it felt: I thought my time was pretty good today, even if I didn't run as far. My pace was a bit higher than normal (probably won't last!). This was a pretty hard day. I felt exhausted at the end of the second 8 minute run, but at the same time felt that if I had to keep going, I could. I guess that's a good thing. However - about the last 2 minutes of the second 8 minute run, I couldn't really feel my legs. Or more accurately, I decided to ignore them. They were hurting quite a bit, and were so fatigued. I had no choice but to pretend they weren't there and push on. It got me there, so I guess it worked! Next week is a big leap. Two 10-min runs the first day and a 15 minute run by the last day. I'm a little scared... but, ain't nothing to it but to do it!
Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to your life? - Luke 12:25
How it felt: I thought my time was pretty good today, even if I didn't run as far. My pace was a bit higher than normal (probably won't last!). This was a pretty hard day. I felt exhausted at the end of the second 8 minute run, but at the same time felt that if I had to keep going, I could. I guess that's a good thing. However - about the last 2 minutes of the second 8 minute run, I couldn't really feel my legs. Or more accurately, I decided to ignore them. They were hurting quite a bit, and were so fatigued. I had no choice but to pretend they weren't there and push on. It got me there, so I guess it worked! Next week is a big leap. Two 10-min runs the first day and a 15 minute run by the last day. I'm a little scared... but, ain't nothing to it but to do it!
Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to your life? - Luke 12:25
No comments:
Post a Comment