Run Faster...

I'm convinced the right nail polish color makes you faster...

... Run Farther.  This is the book I'm following to build a good base leading up to my half marathon training.  I'll be using the same book for that training as well.

I'm slow.  There's no way around that.  And while I'm OK with that, I'm not OK with that long term.  So this week I picked up with week 8 of the novice 5k plan in the book:

• Walk 10 minutes
• Run 1 mile
• Walk 5 minutes
• Run 6 minutes, walk 1 minute X 3
• Walk 10 minutes

This has been a pride check for sure because I can run 8 slooowwww miles with no issues.  But they are slow miles if you didn't catch that previously. ;)

My theory is that if I run the running segments at a faster pace than I'm used to, with walking mixed in, it shouldn't be too much of a shock to my body.  Plus, I'm the type that fears running out of gas on a run but if I know I have a walk break here and there, I won't be as afraid to push it.  Am I correct in my thinking?  I think so but I don't know for sure.  But that's what I'm hoping.

I'm not crazy about watching my weekly mileage drop but I feel that this approach will yield better results long term.

I'll complete the novice 5k plan just in time to start the novice half marathon training plan and the two plans seem to be a continuation of the other.

I'm also mixing in hill repeats once a week because they suck.  That makes perfect sense...

Overall, I'm feeling great.  I don't have those nagging pains I had when I started running.  My legs feel strong and my confidence is increasing.  I still have moments of self doubt where that little voice starts saying, I can't do this.  Six months ago I would have agreed with that voice but today my response is, I'm not just running... I'm training.  For whatever reason, repeating that when I start to doubt helps me push through.