Ahh! This is Why I Run!

When I restarted my training back in February, I was feeling a little deflated on my running.  The training schedule had me going SOO SLOW.  Or at least it seemed that way after what I had been doing.  Of course, I had no rhyme or reason as to why I would speed up, slow down, add an incline, etc.  The training plan through MyAsics has five segments: Pre-Conditioning, Going Faster, Going Further, Race Simulation, and Recovery.  I am just now into Going Further and today's little 3 mile run felt Great with the capital G!

Why?  Well, before I started training, I could easily run at 6.5mph or more on the treadmill.  Once I got my heart rate monitor, I was lucky if I could do 4.5mph without having my heart rate too high.  So even though I was able to run fast, obviously my body wasn't doing it too terribly efficient.  Today, I "jogged" at 5.5mph for 2 miles, then 5.7mph for 1 mile for an overal 10:47 minute mile.  My average heart rate for the run was 136! When I started over, February 11th, I ran a 3mile jog at a 13 minute mile pace.  My average heart rate that day was 138, and I was going over 2 minutes slower per mile!!  Proof positive that my training is doing its job.  My body is learning to do more work with less exertion and hopefully will help protect my muscles from injury on this journey of running.

Since I am looking at numbers today, I will share some others too from the restart of my training.

* I have logged 38 runs.

 

* I have run 23 hours.

 

* I have run 116.2 miles.

 

*I have 25 runs left and 122 miles to complete the training.

 

*Only 4 weeks and 5 days to go!!

 

PS - Another bonus to keeping that heart rate low on a hard run, barely sweating and comfortable breathing!