A hair faster than my walk pace

Running resumed the day after a very busy September 29th honoring and remembering Melissa with family and friends. Two days later I was to run for an hour and a half with the training team and I knew I didn't want to do that  after not having run for a whole week. So, after dropping my aunt and uncle off at the airport I ran 5K before dinner. You know, training would be so much easier if I took more days off from work. . .

I ran continuously (no walking) and finished in just over 30 minutes. That's progress. Just one month ago I couldn't have done that -- mentally or physically.

On Saturday, we were told to run out 40-45 minutes out then turn around. I did just that. I ran for 42 minutes (my longest sustained run to date), then decided it was time to turn around. As soon as I broke my pace to ease around, my legs felt like rubber bands. They had been propeling me forward, and had forgotten how to stand still or change direction. I took that as a sign and decided to walk the next three minutes. After that bit of rest, I felt I needed a challenge so for the next 21 minutes I alternated between running at my usually slow pace and a bit of speed work, which tuckered me out again, forcing me to walk 3 minutes. I ran the last 17.5 minutes, taking the last 11.5 at an accelerated pace.

In the end I ran 8.2 miles. My new record! nice

During the week I ran about 4 miles twice in my neighborhood. The first time I took a two minute walk break when my right calk started to burn and I started to limp a little. I was able to pick up the run again  and finish strong. Funny thing is, though, two days later I ran the same distance again and instead of walking for two minutes, I sped up for one minute in the middle and I only gained one minute! How is that possible?? I think my run pace is a hair faster than my walk pace. . . hmmmm . .


Friday, September 30th
running time in minutes: 30:18
total distance: 3.1 miles

Saturday, October 1st
run-walk pattern in minutes:
42 run - 3 walk - 6r - 1 speed -
8r - 1s - 5r - 3w - 6r - 11:35 faster pace
total time: 1:26:35
total distance: 8.2 miles

Tuesday, October 4th
run-walk pattern in minutes:
15:30 - 2 - 24
total distance: 4.2 miles

Thursday, October 6th
running time in minutes: 40:29
total distance: 4.2 miles