The long run

So I’ve taken up running again. For real. Like I’m planning on running a race and everything. I even wrote a training plan for myself. Now that I am running with purpose, I am seeing improvements, which further motivates me to keep doing it. An awesome feedback loop that can only result in one thing: Me lighting up the Vegas Strip in December.

Ok, probably not. At this point my plan is to run the Monumental Half in Indy on November 3, then try to beat that performance in Las Vegas on December 2. Sounds reasonable enough.

Let’s take a look at how things are going. I totally geeked out with my data analysis, just go with it. I have omitted September because it was pretty low/slow mileage and I am using radiation as my (not that valid) excuse to only look at the more favorable October numbers.

As you may know, I have a long history of being outright lazy with my runs from time to time, but overall I am doing a reasonable job of getting out there in the first place. Part of the laziness may stem from boredom with running on the treadmill, or the ridiculously late hour at which I tend to start treadmill runs. Chris and Kai both have fairly unpredictable morning schedules, so I have discounted the idea of morning runs in favor of 8:15 PM runs. I know 8:15 PM doesn’t sound late to everyone, but if I wasn’t on the treadmill, I would prefer to be in bed by 9 PM, so this after dinner running business is a little out of the norm for me.

In any event, I seem to run a lot quicker outside, nearly 30 seconds per mile faster, and on average covering nearly two additional miles per run.

I thought treadmill running was supposed to be easier? Whoever said that must have been running in New Jersey, not Indiana.

All in all, things are going pretty well. Chris and I did our 8 mile run a few days ago and I am no worse for the wear. Then again, he was the one pushing the stroller. This weekend is our 9.5 mile run, I’m kind of excited about it already!