Running Intervals - This Week's Plan

Last week was endurance and so this week I'm working on intervals (to build on my pace).  My plan is to tackle my 5k route (3.2 miles) one mile at a time.  Run 1 mile at a 7:00 min pace, then walk out 30 seconds, then back 30 seconds (so I'm back at the 1 mile mark) and then repeat 2 more times.  My middle mile will be the long one at 1.2 miles and, therefore, my target is 8:24.  Last night was my first attempt at this schedule...

I totally destroyed my workout in the first 0.5 miles… what I intended to run in 7:00 I ran in 5:55!!! Ugh! Way way too fast! That first split is just shy of a mile, right at 0.9 miles, but I never adjusted my split location b/c it’s right in the middle of a turn in the sidewalk, so I can be sure to have it in the same place every time, otherwise I’d have to go by small saplings along the path or something… so anyway… translating that 5:55 to a mile makes it a 6:15 mile!!! hahahaha… WAY TOO FAST… then I walked, took me 45 secs just to regain myself, then decided to start up again at 2 mins (not 1 minute)… went another .25 miles and decided that I was TOAST… stopped… walked back 2 mins, then jogged to my .9 mile mark, and then hit 7:00 on the way home from that point and it felt good… but man I really killed myself with that 5:55 start! Ugh…


Background info: I had a screaming headache that kicked in around 3:00, I was hoping that getting home, playing with the kiddos would eliviate my pains, nope, nothing… food didn’t help either… so then I was relying on my run… MAN OH MAN! That was the WRONG answer! Blood pumpin’ too fast, breathing too hard… anyway, I was exhausted before I started… I think I could have gone to bed at 7 last night! ha! so all things considered with my condition… I consider that run as a B+… great first attempt! At least now I have a feel for what a 7:00 min pace is! That will certainly help me out tonight!

Successfully Running with Music!

So back in High School... I tried it, but I could never keep a pace.  Running to the music totally wore me out!  I decided to try it out again... this time, it seems to be working.  I'm thinking it's simply because I'm a more disciplined runner and actually pay attention to what I'm doing and not just aimlessly trotting around my neighborhood. 

Tonight makes 3 days in a row with music.  Now granted I'm out cruising a fairly easy pace, so the music keeps me company.  I'm thinking for my hard (zone 4) runs, I'll leave the tunage at home and be able to tune in 100% to the run. 

Only thing I'm struggling with now are the ear buds.  I don't like the ones I have, although they seem to stay in decent, they are not very nice and allow a TON of wind noise.  Do you guys have any suggestions for me to look into??? Thanks!

My Mission

So... I love to help others... and I spend a good deal of time, running/biking/swimming-although, not near as much as others, this still gives me a lot of time to think... about anything... how fast I'm going (or not going), what we need at the grocery store, about other people that inspire me... it was during these thoughts about people that I got to wondering, how can I use all my time out exercising to benefit others? How can I combine the two? The FitGive is the result. Totally unrefined at the moment and completly unstructured... the idea is simple: I compete, you donate...

For each competition, I'll have a charity that I'm going to compete for, endorse, if you will. This will motivate me while I train! I can think about helping them, I can Visualize a child in a Cancer Unit, or families caring for a loved one with Alzheimer's and when my training gets tough, I'll be able to buckle down and make it count for them... something to dedicate myself to. I don't know how many competitions I'll do this year, 2-4ish, but as I compete/train, I'll set goals. Based upon the event I'm doing, the goal I have set, or the Charity that I've picked, you can simply go to their site and make a donation... again, the idea is still not very developed, but will grow as the year progresses...

Thank you all for your time and interest! I'll work on my training to hit my targets... you guys can feel great, knowing that you are supporting others and encouraging me in a HUGE way... Thanks for helping me make The FitGive a Reality! :)