Run/Walk 2:1 Endurance Intervals

I think endurance training was a success today! I ran 5.9 miles before my knees and hamstrings started complaining and I stopped.

I completed 23 sets of 1-minute run and 2-minute walk intervals in 69 minutes. This means I was only running a third of the time, but I still managed to average an 11:41-minute mile! But as I've stated before, the objective is distance, not speed, and I am very happy with my 5.9 miles today.

Worse case scenario, I just do endurance intervals for my leg of the marathon relay...

Two-Day Tin [Wo]Man

So yesterday, I woke up sooo sore! Wowza. But I had anticipated this, which is why I scheduled "stretch yoga" in my training plan. It took awhile, though, before I made the time to do the hour-long P90X stretch session. I felt much better afterward. Still a bit sore, but at least less tin-man like.

This morning, I still woke up sore! As planned, I have taken the entire day off of exercise. I definitely needed the 72-hour break between scheduled runs to recover from the first one! Let's hope it's long enough - I need to get in some endurance training tomorrow.

Flying Farmers

Yesterday, I get a text from my friend Danielle that says: "Do you run? Alex is trying to get a relay team together for fargo marathon." I'd never considered a relay for a marathon before, but that seems like a way more likely accomplishment in my life than running a full marathon by myself. So I ask her when it is. ...it's May 18th, less than 4 weeks away.

I was finally persuaded into signing up with the relay after being assured it was just for fun, and it would be fine if I ended up walking most of it.

This morning I woke up to a flood a texts deliberating over what our relay team name should be. It was finally decided: Flying Farmers. I won't even get into why that name does or does not fit.

I decided it would be a good idea to see where I'm at, running wise. It's been almost a full year since I've consciously exercised!

This morning, I ran 3.1 miles in 38 minutes...then walked the 2 miles more home, since I was a bit optimistic when I plotted out the route I was to take. Our puppy Byron came with me. It was his first time on a run - ever. And I was surprised. He never lagged behind! New running partner?

Each person in the relay is responsible for 6-8 miles, which means, I'm just barely half-way to the minimum distance right now.

To avoid injuring myself, I've developed a training schedule. The objective is to gain miles, not speed. If you do both at the same time as a runner, it is a recipe for injury!!!

• 04/24 - Run (nonstop, easy pace for as far as possible)
• 04/25 - Stretch yoga (to relieve those sore muscles!)
• 04/26 - REST DAY
• 04/27 - Run/Walk 1:2 (alternate 1-min. run with 2-min. walk for as far as possible or up to 8 miles, whichever is less)
• 04/28 - 30 min. Bike or Aerobic Dance
• 04/29 - Run
• 04/30 - Stretch yoga
• 05/01 - REST DAY
• 05/02 - Run/Walk 1:1
• 05/03 - 30 min. Bike or Aerobic Dance
• 05/04 - RUN OR DYE 5K FUN RUN
• 05/05 - 30 min. Bike or Aerobic Dance
• 05/06 - Run
• 05/07 - Stretch yoga
• 05/08 - REST DAY
• 05/09 - Run/Walk 2:1
• 05/10 - 30 min. Aerobic Dance or Swim
• 05/11 - Run
• 05/12 - Stretch yoga
• 05/13 - REST DAY
• 05/14 - Run/Walk 3:1
• 05/15 - 30 min. Swim
• 05/16 - Run/Walk 4:1
• 05/17 - Stretch yoga
• 05/18 - MARATHON RELAY RACE DAY!!!