Training Program: Week 4

Ran a 5K three weeks ago - that went okay, 00:33:14. Actually, give myself credit, it went really well for my first race in many many weeks of minimal activity, but I felt awful and know I'm capable of racing much faster when I have been training properly.

Weekend after that was a 10K that went VERY well, 01:10:58 - only 2 minutes slower than my PR. BUT when I set that PR, I ran the whole thing and was wasted at the end of it, this time I ran a 2:2 run/walk interval and had energy after for an additional 2 mile jog with the training group to round out my mileage for the week.

Then there was a week in Houston on business with no treadmil and not a good place to go out by myself. I rediscovered that I really do NOT care for elliptical machines, and spent some time on the bike - not ideal but at least it's something.

Which brings me to this week trying to get back in my training groove. And I discovered that my neighborhood is not nearly as scary as I thought it was. This might sound strange, but I don't know most of my neighbors and we all keep to ourselves, and I'm within easy walking distance of some not-so-nice neighborhoods and until now I just didn't go out alone in the dark of the early morning or evenings. But if I keep that mentality the rest of this training season there's no way I'm going to get my mileage in. So, armed with my cell phone and my little guard dog Franklin, I went out Monday morning for a 3 mile run, and discovered that all was quiet, the few other people I saw out and about were other runners or friendly neighbors stepping out to grab the morning paper, and I was silly to be so terrified all this time.

I will continue to take the dog with me, I like the company and Franklin likes the chance to get out for a while, and I think running in the morning will become part of my regular routine.
Again, that sounds perfectly common place for most people, but for me it's a big step.