Today I ran the first day of "Gateway to 8k" from Podrunner Intervals and DJ Beatsmith. I did most of the Couch to 5k program using his "First Day to 5k" podcasts. I really like the music, as I probably was a raver in a previous life (or an alternate life?) - without the drugs, of course.
The run was fine. I anticipate the progress to be satisfying as it was with C25K. However, I'm still not completely convinced this is what I want to do. The runs are getting longer, and frankly, I don't have all that much time. Add on to it that the daylight hours are getting shorter at an increasing pace and I have reservations about running on my own in the dark. I do it sometimes, but it's not as relaxing as when the sun is shining because I'm on higher alert. The good news is that the "kids" are back in town. I live in a college town and summers are relatively sparse. The streets were devoid of runners and walkers at odd hours. Now, with the students back, there will be more people out and about. Maybe that will help some.
There is also the Podrunner Interval "Freeway to 10K" available. That goes up to 90 minutes, I think. The 8k program extends the running to 50 minutes, if I recall correctly.
I'm thinking I might do two days of G28k and then a day of whatever I want, maybe a 5k at an increased pace.
Showing posts with label c25k. Show all posts
Showing posts with label c25k. Show all posts
Monday, August 25, 2008
Saturday, August 23, 2008
First 5k Race
Today I completed my first 5k race. I've run 5k a few times at the end of the Couch to 5k program and afterwards. I ran in a 4k race previously. All that put together made this 5k less stressful. I knew what to expect. I knew where to pin my number and how to handle the chute at the finish line. The C25k shirt from Zazzle worked well. It's some special material, like microfiber or something. The day was nice. Not too warm yet in the morning. Clear skies. Slight breeze. Couldn't ask for anything better.
I started off the first mile too fast. I was feeling good and even passing people. At one point, I got stuck behind a group that was running just a bit too slow for me. So, I had to figure out how to maneuver out of that. Interesting. The type of thing I don't have to worry about normally! I finished the first mile in under ten minutes, which is good for me. Then, during the second mile, I started doubting myself. I had to slow it down some because I wasn't sure I'd have enough juice left to get through the third. But, as I made my way into the third mile, I started telling myself: "Just one more mile!" and it worked. Earlier this summer it would have been hard to believe "just one more mile" would be a phrase that would actually motivate me rather than make me want to slow to a walk right then and there. I had run the course a few times before in practice, so I knew where the finish line would be. I made a bargain with myself that I could keep the slower pace until after the hill if I sped up after it. So, I did and then at about 0.2 miles left, I kicked it into a full fledged run.
Official time: 31 minutes and 32 seconds
I had hoped that somehow I would get superhuman strength and finish in under 30 minutes, knocking around 3 or 4 minutes off of my practice times. That didn't happen, but I did improve my time.
Overall, I was 68th out of some where around 90 runners. Not great, but ok. They didn't time all the walkers and I was WAY ahead of them, at least. The winner ran something a little over 17 minutes. As I passed the first mile marker at a little before 10 minutes, I figured we'd be seeing the first fast runners coming by. The course was an out-and-back with the exception that the turn around is a loop. A couple minutes past that first mile marker, I did see that 17 minute guy on his way back. Some of those fastest people didn't look like they were having much fun!
I started off the first mile too fast. I was feeling good and even passing people. At one point, I got stuck behind a group that was running just a bit too slow for me. So, I had to figure out how to maneuver out of that. Interesting. The type of thing I don't have to worry about normally! I finished the first mile in under ten minutes, which is good for me. Then, during the second mile, I started doubting myself. I had to slow it down some because I wasn't sure I'd have enough juice left to get through the third. But, as I made my way into the third mile, I started telling myself: "Just one more mile!" and it worked. Earlier this summer it would have been hard to believe "just one more mile" would be a phrase that would actually motivate me rather than make me want to slow to a walk right then and there. I had run the course a few times before in practice, so I knew where the finish line would be. I made a bargain with myself that I could keep the slower pace until after the hill if I sped up after it. So, I did and then at about 0.2 miles left, I kicked it into a full fledged run.
Official time: 31 minutes and 32 seconds
I had hoped that somehow I would get superhuman strength and finish in under 30 minutes, knocking around 3 or 4 minutes off of my practice times. That didn't happen, but I did improve my time.
Overall, I was 68th out of some where around 90 runners. Not great, but ok. They didn't time all the walkers and I was WAY ahead of them, at least. The winner ran something a little over 17 minutes. As I passed the first mile marker at a little before 10 minutes, I figured we'd be seeing the first fast runners coming by. The course was an out-and-back with the exception that the turn around is a loop. A couple minutes past that first mile marker, I did see that 17 minute guy on his way back. Some of those fastest people didn't look like they were having much fun!
And we're off...
Ok, so the bloggers on the c25k.com forum have inspired me to create my own blog. Part of the reason is that I'm now finished with the program and I need to find direction so I don't let all my hard-earned running ability (as weak as is it is) flounder. I'd rather not have to repeat the program.
One of my goals is to speed up to run a 5k in under 30 minutes. I don't know if I want to extend my distance much. What I like about the 5k distance is that I can run it in a reasonable amount of time including warm up and cool down. We'll see, I guess!
One of my goals is to speed up to run a 5k in under 30 minutes. I don't know if I want to extend my distance much. What I like about the 5k distance is that I can run it in a reasonable amount of time including warm up and cool down. We'll see, I guess!
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