Oolong and Oatmeal

Today was the 5K at Angel Stadium. My time was 25:06 and I ran an average of just over an 8 minute mile. That's two minutes faster than I've been running in training. I felt the difference. If I'm going to make it 13 miles I'm going to have to pick up the pace.

It felt good to run that fast, fast being relative of course, but it was hard. I'm going to take tomorrow completely off, no running or anything and try to get some rest. I'm on little to no sleep and I am exhausted. My body and mind are both fried.

I don't care how short the run is, waking up at 5:30 is hard. Tomorrow I have to do just that so I can go run a 5K at Angel Stadium. I'm pumped about the event, I never thought I'd get to a place where I'd think a 5K is a short run. It's even better because it's at one of my favorite places in the world. I love the Big A. I checked out the course online and it looks like the last bit is inside the stadium. Maybe even on the field. How cool is that?

But I never sleep well when I know I have to be up by a certain time and I really need to sleep.

Fingers crossed.

I'm really digging this running stuff. I did just a little over 6 miles today and enjoyed every minute of it. I'm getting so much stronger, especially up hills. I did walk for a few minutes, but not because I was winded or because my legs were tired. I walked because my heart rate was a little higher than I am comfortable with. To get it back down I walked for a while. It's weird letting that stop me when I don't even know if I should be concerned with it, but better safe than sorry.

Today's run was also the longest according to time. I was out for just over an hour. I can't wait to be able to pick up my pace once my heart is conditioned. It's kind of frustrating knowing I could run faster but holding back to keep as close to that 145 bpm mark I've set. I know that it allows me to run longer, both in distance and in time, but it still feels like I'm sandbagging.

I keep reminding myself that I want to be in this for the long haul and that I'm seeing improvement,that the pace will come up in time and that there are more important things than a faster pace. It's on repeat in my head while I run. It keeps me slow and steady and I'm sure I'll be better off for it.

Oh, also I came to the realization that I need to eat more. I think the extra calories will help me recover from the workouts and give me extra energy while I run. It will be a weird change, I've been keeping my calories down for a while now. Make no mistake, it's a change I am looking forward to making.

Yum.

Tonight I did it. I ran 5 miles without taking a walking break. I didn't set out for that, but it happened anyway. Even up the largest and steepest stretch of hill, I kept running. It felt amazing. I know I have so far to go to turn 5 into 13, never mind 26, but I'm getting there. I'm three weeks into training and I've already done over 60 miles. That's not a huge number for lots of people, but for me it is.

Looking at my day tomorrow, I don't think I'm going to be able to run or even work out like I did yesterday. I may have to try and sneak in a few miles at some point.

I think I might be finally ready to call myself a runner.

Today was an easy day. That means that I had 2.5 miles to run at an easy pace. For me, easy meant one other thing, no hills. Well, it might not be possible to run with absolutely no hills except on a track or treadmill but I did my best. That combined with a slower pace made for a nice run. Also, I decided to leave the head phones at home and run without music. It was different. I think I liked it. I need to try it again on a longer run.

This was an incredible 4th of July. My family and I spent the day with church, the park, BBQ and fireworks. Amazing. We actually had to go to two parks today. We started at the Irvine Regional park, which we love, but there was a brush fire right outside the boundaries of the park. We got to see helicopters and planes dump water. It was cool, but we eventually thought the air might not be the best for the kids.

Today was a long day. My easy run was the most insignificant 35 minutes of the day, but I'm glad I got them in anyway. It feels so good to have a plan, to train for something and to stick to it. Tomorrow is an off day for running, so I think I'll get in a gym workout. Then this week the milage starts to creep up.

I can't wait.