Distance: 3 miles

Today’s run was again easy.  I did pick up the pace in the last 0.25 miles, but for the most part, running 3 miles is turning into a very easy, relaxing task.  It was a bit chilly this morning which is good, but now I have to start to worry about the Fall and Winter months and ensuring that I dress appropriately.

I’ve create a running plan for the rest of 2006.  It is based on a plan by Hal Higdon , but I modified it and extended it. I started it in week 4 as that’s where I’m at, mileage-wise. By the end of the year, I should be running 17 miles a week.  I’ll post the plan over the next several days.

Posted by derek as Training at 8:54 PM PDT

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Distance: 3 miles

I would have to classify today’s run as an “easy 3″.  I felt very comfortable and I think my heart rate may have been a little lower than in the past.

I’ve started to wonder to myself whether or not I “enjoy” running.  So far, I don’t think I enjoy running per se, but what I do enjoy are the improvements I’m making.  Being able to do an “easy 3″ today whereas 2 months ago I was struggling with 90 seconds of running.  Even as recently as a couple weeks ago, I couldn’t do the full 3 miles without a brief walking break.

I imagine there will come a time when the improvements will slow, or even plateau and then we’ll see if I still enjoy “the process”.

Posted by derek as Training at 8:54 PM PDT

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Plan: Run 3 miles
Actual: Run 3 miles

Today was the last day of the C25K program. I am absolutely amazed that I managed to stick to the program and that I was able to accomplish the goal of the program - to run 3 miles. Today was definitely the easiest 3 miles. I still have to offload the heart rate data, but I think I may have run it at a lower heart than the other runs this week, meaning that I’m getting fitter.

I managed to find another 12-week program by Hal Higdon that takes you up to 15 miles a week in 3 months. I’m pretty sure I’m going to follow that one, but I’m going to poke around see what other plans there are that I can follow. For the next 2-3 weeks I plan to simply work up to 10 miles a week I’ll also be changing my running days. Instead of running Mon, Wed, Fri, I’m going to run Sun, Tue, Thu and do a longer run on the Sunday.

Since the C25K program is done, this will be my last entry in this blog. I’ll start a new “Running” blog for any future running entries.

Posted by derek as C25K at 8:32 PM PDT

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Plan: Run 3 miles
Actual: Run 3 miles

Well, today, for the first time, I ran a full 3 miles without walking.  I have one day to go on the C25K plan and it feels great having completed the program and also having accomplished the goal of the program.

I had mentioned a while back that I bought a  Polar S625X heart arte monitor. It came with a program called Polar Precision Performance where you can download and analyze your running data.  Well, the program sucks and the alternatives out there aren’t any better.  Also, PPP is a Windows-only app and there is is only one other alternative for Mac OS X.  I decided to write my own program and it’s coming along quite nicely.  I’m not ready to release it, but you can view screenshots at www.ExerSilo.com

Posted by derek as C25K at 8:34 PM PDT

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Plan: Run 3 miles
Actual: Run 3 miles with a 30 sec walking break

This is the last week of the C25K program.  I’m not quite running full time as I’m taking a very brief walking break.  I did start to pick up thr pace in the last quarter mile or so.

Posted by derek as C25K at 8:34 PM PDT

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