My RunForYourLives Outfit
So I am running high on endorphins right now – I am in love with running! Lets hope this love continues, since April was month two of running. And during April I had to deal with an “injury” of sorts. While playing with my youngest, I did something funky to my back that caused my sciatic nerve to be a pain to deal with – from my glute down my hamstring. I tried working through it, then I tried resting it, finally I just medicated it with Aleve and some topical peppermint ointment and that did the trick.
To recap the first month:
My first “run” was March 1, 2012: 4.1 Speed, 1.0 Incline, 15 Minutes, .94 mi.
My last “run” from that month was March 31, 2012: 7.0 Top Speed, 1.5 Incline, 2 mi in 19 min 45 sec. 2.5 mi in 25 minutes.
I increased my top speed, my miles run and my pace. I was pretty proud and kind of in disbelief I’d be able to make so much progress again. I was right in a way, progress was slower in April. But when I looked at the numbers I did see a vast improvement! As the month went on, I concentrated less on what my top speed could be, instead paying attention to my final run time. This helped me find a pace I could run at consistently, rather than tiring myself out too quickly at a quick sprint. After all, my goal is to run a 5K … with zombies.
Here is the progress for Running: Month 2
April 1, 2012: 7.2 Top Speed, 1.5 Incline, 2.5 mi in 25 minutes and 40 seconds
April 2, 2012: 7.3 Top Speed, 1.5 Incline, 2.0 mi in 19 minutes and 38 seconds
April 4, 2012: 1.5 Incline, 2.0 mi in 19 minutes and 36 seconds – this is where I stopped taking note of Top Speed
April 6, 2012: 1.5 Incline, 2.0 mi in 19 minutes and 40 seconds
April 7, 2012: 1.5 Incline, 2.5 mi in 25 minutes
**BREAK – TOOK A WEEK OFF FOR MY SCIATIC NERVE**
April 14, 2012: 1.5 Incline, 2.5 mi in 25 minutes
April 15, 2012: 1.5 Incline, 2.5 mi in 24 minutes and 30 seconds
April 16, 2012: 1.5 Incline, 2.5 mi in 24 minutes and 55 seconds
April 18, 2012: 1.5 Incline, 2.5 mi in 24 minutes and 17 seconds
April 22, 2012: 1.5 Incline, 2.5 mi in 24 minutes and 35 seconds – around here is when I discovered my pace of 6.4 was comfortable
April 24, 2012: 1.5 Incline, 2.5 mi in 24 minutes and 45 seconds
April 26, 2012: 1.5 Incline, 2.5 mi in 23 minutes and 20 seconds
April 28, 2012: 1.5 Incline, 2.5 mi in 23 minutes and 40 seconds – realizing I am actually running into the bar on the front of the treadmill, 6.4 is such a “comfortable” pace.
April 29, 2012: 1.5 Incline, 2.5 mi in 23 minutes and 53 seconds
April 30, 2012: 1.5 Incline, 2.5 mi in 23 minutes and 33 seconds
So, what I gained by the end of April was that I now can run 20 minutes straight at a 6.4 + pace. That will get me 2 miles in under 20 minutes. And although progress isn’t seen with every one, as I track it I can see a great improvement from the beginning of the month to the end. For May my goal is to run 3 miles in under 30 minutes.
I am still loving my Brooks Running Shoes – Brooks PureConnect Womens
As far as weight, I ended up having to google about weight gain with running. It seems that you can actually see an increase in weight due to:
1. Building Muscle
2. Water Weight as muscles rebuild
3. Eating too much – so it’s fat – because running makes you HUNGRY. So make sure you eat the right things when hungry!
4. Energy Stores – I read that your body will adapt to running and realize you will need “energy” stored up for these future runs. So you may see an increase in weight on certain days.
Right now I am seeing an extra pound on my frame. For a big guy, that might be nothing. For a 5’6″ small framed woman it is driving me NUTS. But seeing how it’s normal, I am just going to keep an eye on it and make sure my pants still fit next month.
MORE TO READ:
This is solely the opinion of Erin T. as she trains for a Zombie 5k. Other people may have different experiences with the product. And don’t forget to enter my other hot contests so you can win and try buzzworthy products!
[...] A Beginning Runner: Month Two [...]