Feels like fall and progress

Since the weekend,  the temperatures have started to drop. Sevrine is not such a big fan of the cold, but colder temperatures normally mean faster runs for me. This morning was no exception. I planned on just 2 miles today and wanted to do it based on feel and not look at my watch. I still had my watch set to alert me if I exceeded or fell below my target heart rate zone but wanted to just run today. My watch alerted me once, but surprisingly it said I had fallen below even though my pace was good. Naturally I picked up the pace. When all was said and done I had completed the 2.15 miles in about 10:30 pace, which is a whole minute faster per mile than my normal training pace. I was almost surprised that I wasn't panting at the end of the run. I can't wait until the next one.

Progress is progress

So, we know that I have changed up how I train. Going slow is both hard and hugely motivating for me. While I hate going slow, I love that I don't need to want to take any walk breaks on my runs. Even when the hills seem extra hard I know that at this slower pace its not necessary.  Today was on e of those days. In the first mile my right calf and Achilles were tight and sore. Just after that mile is the longest and steepest incline of my run. By keeping my pace easy I felt like the hill was much easier than I would have previously.

So, the little progress I've made is this: while maintaining the same heart rate average I'm running 15 seconds per mile faster than in the first 2 weeks of this new training method. It's not much, but its progress, and with all of the hills I'll take it. I can't wait to see how this will effect my 5k time.

Picking up speed

This morning I decided to base my run on feel. I made sure not to go out too fast, but after that I just tried to make sure I didn't gas myself out too quickly.  Based on this, I was able to negative split the 3 miles and shave about 20 seconds off my overall time. After just a few weeks of the slower to get faster method, I am already seeing results.  I will be talking with Erik and Kristine today about setting a realistic goal for the half marathon I plan on running in February,  but I'm feeling pretty good about it right now.

New tech and motivation

I don't know about you, but I am completely motivated by new running clothes and new technology.  I recently read The Hansons Marathon Method and have started applying the principles.  Following the plan means paying more attention to my pace and heart rate, both of which I need a good GPS watch for. My nike watch is nice and basic, but I miss my Garmin. I just sent it in to be refurbished but will only use it until the new 220 comes out. I am really pleased with how my training is going. Even though I pay more attention to my watch now than I did before, my runs feel better than they ever did before,  not to mention I'm less fatigued for the next day's run.

We run

I am so lucky that Sevrine and I share a hobby. She did really well at the Zoo Run on Saturday though she didn't place as high as she wanted. Was so proud of her guts in a fast group of 8-9 year olds.

Sevrine is currently training with Erik and Kristine Burciaga and flourishing. I'm so excited to see her progress as well as her love of running grow on a daily basis. They are so good with the kids.

Watching her progress has remotivated me after having to pull out of training for my first marathon because of a quad/knee strain. I am most of the way through Hansons Marathon Method and am very excited to start applying their training principles even if there isn't a marathon in the time frame that I'm looking for. Here's to hoping it will improve my running times.

A new track season for Sevrine

Sevrine started a new track season on the 15th and is loving her new track team.  She was moved over to work out with the distance kids on Wednesday and they immediately told the coach that Sevrine is a beast. They were so impressed with her that they came up to her after practice to tell her what a good job she did.

I spent a little tax return money to get a Nike GPS watch since my Garmin was having issues. I have  to say that so far I love it. I haven't tried track intervals but I have tried the time intervals which seem to work really well so far.  It's making me want to get away from the treadmill more and get outside. It's made me even more excited about my Marathon training.

Starting over

It seems like I've been plagued with injuries all year.  My mileage has suffered greatly and so has my motivation and health in general.  I've been having some issues with my Achilles tendon being really stiff and causing me some pain and with that lack of running my cardio has suffered.  When the achilles was finally starting to feel better I started to add some mileage back. I had the naive notion that I'd still be able to go out and run the mileage I had before without much difficulty.  Boy was I wrong.  It's hard not to feel discouraged when you look back at being able to run 13 miles with no problem to not being able to run 3 without walking a little.  I'm learning to cut myself some slack.  If I push myself too hard to get back to where I was before I'll just end up injured again and the rest of my running goals would have to wait.  Now, I'm trying to be patient with my recovery and my health so I can stay healthy and reach all of those goals.  I want to run a full marathon in 2013, which means that I need to slowly start building my mileage back up.  The one that I want to run is not until September of 2013 so I do have some time to get my body ready.  The best part is that I have a boyfriend that is supportive of my health goals and that will continue to motivate and encourage me to work toward them.

So, I'm starting over.  I'm not going to worry about what has come before now, I'm only going to focus on where I'm going and what I need to do to get there. I'll get there.