Couch to Coach

Back in 2009, when I made the decision to get back into running, I decided to use the "Couch to 5K (C25K)" program.  I followed the program religiously, and had great success.  So much so, that I am still running 7+ years later.

In December, a friend and I decided to offer our services as mentor to anyone that wanted to take part in a similar program.  Several took part.  Some every opportunity, some sporadically.  What we did find was for some of them, just like me, it was the kick start they needed to help them get fitter.

So what happens when you feel success?  You try it again.  We are now into the 6th week of our latest offering.  This weeks' workouts are 2.5 mile when we repeat running 3 minutes, and walking 1 minute.  The last couple of workouts have been a challenge with 80-plus degree weather in New England in May.  Hopefully it'll cool off a little for the next month.

This all brings me to the streak.  Streaking by the "official" rules means that you must run for at least one mile (no walking).  So for the rest of the C25K coaching period, I'll be running at least one additional mile on Tuesday & Thursday after coaching the group.  I'm not complaining, it's a great way to "boost" my miles.

Day #4 - 4.09 miles (45:38)

Streak totals:

Miles: 15.74

P/U:  100

S/U:  74

Rest Day?

For the better part of the last year, I've been training for marathons.  During these training periods, Mondays and Fridays were rest/off days.  While you're streaking, there are no off days!  Best thing that you can do is run easy on the so called rest days.  Now I already know that Fridays are not going to be easy, so Monday has to be the day.

Today's run was a little over 1.5 miles, and was run at an easy pace.  This is the best I can ask for if I want to keep on streaking.

Day #3 - 1.58 miles (16:36)

Streak totals:

Miles: 11.65

P/U:  72

S/U:  54

It's Not the Heat...

How many time have we heard it?  It's not the heat, it's the humidity.  Well, today was one of those mornings.  8:30 in the morning, and it was already 77 degrees with 64% humidity.  The route that I had selected was a 7 mile run up into the Wyben section of Westfield.  I say up, because there is a 2.5 mile section that is uphill.  Nothing too drastic, but uphill.  Then to top things off, it was sunny.  Put that all together, and you get one tough run.  When I finished, I was soaked.  It looked like I had run through sprinklers, or got caught in a downpour (I wish it had been one of those.)

Running in this weather makes me glad that I live in New England... at least I don't have to deal with it everyday.

Day #2 - 7.00 miles (1:13:14)

Streak totals:

Miles: 10.07

P/U:  48

S/U:  35

...and we're back!

It's been almost exactly a year since I made my last post, and many things have happened in that time.  My biggest running adventures in the last year were the Marine Corps Marathon in Washington, DC, and the Boston Marathon last month.  Marine Corps was a new PR (for my second running life) of 5:00:57.  I was hoping to break 5 hours at Boston, but there were several factors that held me back.  Even though it wasn't my fastest marathon, Boston turned out to be my best experience (especially with post race recovery).

Now it's time to get back to blogging, and prepare for my next adventures, that will culminate with the Dopey Challenge at Walt Disney World in January.  First up is my personal summer time challenge.  For the 101 days of summer (Saturday of Memorial Day weekend until Labor Day) I will be streaking.  My longest streak to date is 56 days (back in the fall of 2014).  For this streak, in addition to the running, I'm planning on doing sit-ups & push-ups each day.  In essence, I'll be completing an Air Force PT test every day (just not at 100% effort).  Each Friday, I'll run a progress check to see what I would score.

Day #1 - 3.07 miles (30:33)

Streak totals:
Miles: 3.07
P/U:  24
S/U:  17