With the local school district’s run/walk looming around the corner on May 15 (my daughter’s birthday), I’m a little worried about whether or not I’m going to be ready to run the whole 5K.
For years, I’ve walked in the event; in fact, I pushed my daughters in strollers many years ago. I’ve done other run/walk events, too. However, this year, for the first time ever, I’ve been running.
On the treadmill.
For the past eight weeks.
I did start about 3 weeks earlier, but I went to Ohio and got snowed in, which set my training program back.
Nike Running has a walk-to-run Coaching program, which I’ve been using, but the program only trains for two miles, not a 5K, 3.1 miles. However, I’ve actually been walking or walking/running three to six miles most days, so I have been working toward the 5K. Albeit, a walk-to-5K program would probably have been better, although I didn’t find one.
The three-week setback in February created a problem because instead of finishing up the program a month before the event, now I’m only finishing a week before it. I had hoped to use the extra time to increase my speed, which might not happen now.
The other problem: I hadn’t run on anything but a treadmill before. Until this week.
Since the weather has been so lovely, I went to the track at the local high school on Tuesday evening after spending the day with Simply Determined. My husband, a seasoned runner, went with me, so it was really nice that we could do this together. We’ve gone to the track in the past, but I’ve always walked.
Sensor (left) and receiver
For the first time ever, the track created a new challenge: I could set my running speed on the treadmill. But now, I had no idea how to pace myself. Fortunately, I took my iPod and Nike+ iPod sensor and receiver (NIKE + IPOD SPORT KIT-USA
I did start out running too fast, but I slowed down about a quarter of the way around the quarter-mile track, settling into a slightly faster pace than I normally do on the treadmill. The temperature was about 70 degrees, and there was a breeze, strong at times. It was a pleasant experience on the springy track and easier than the one this morning.
Being such a nice day today, I decided to go out and walk/run in my neighborhood, walking for four minutes and then running for six and then repeating it. It was already warm, probably warmer than Tuesday evening since it’s supposed to be about 86 degrees today, and there was no breeze. A little wind would have been nice, but the challenge today was the gentle inclines in my neighborhood, as well as the hard, concrete surface. The May run/walk will take place on the same type of surface, so I do need to practice on it.
While I do inclines while walking on my treadmill and a few times I’ve used them with running on it, I’m not used to running on a non-level surface, especially with the added challenges of being outdoors. Also, I’m not used to being without water. Normally, I drink at least eight to sixteen ounces of water while I walk, but I didn’t take my water bottle with me. (I need to figure out a way to do that without feeling encumbered.)
Monday, I’m supposed to do my five-minute walk, fifteen-minute run as part of the program. Will I be ready to do that outside? I don’t know, but I’ll try to read the book during the weekend. I feel more comfortable with completing Sunday’s program outside: walk two minutes, run one, repeat nine times, and then walk five minutes.
With a little over a month to go, can Fitness Hopeful run for about thirty-six minutes straight? We’ll just have to wait and see. I’m Hopeful!