Since it's been a while, I figure I should at least update my training progress...especially since I haven't quit! The biggest update is this: I have never been a runner...but guess what, it turns out I love to run. It's been tough transitioning from my instinctive sprint-style shorter distance running to actual miles-long runs, but I like it.
In the past month, I've been at the gym, running, and/or playing soccer 4-6 days a week.
Today is game 4 for my soccer team, so at 4 weeks in, I'm loving it. I learned that I still have a lot of the muscle memory from soccer in years past, but I have a lot of work to do if I want to be at the skill level I once had. Luckily, we now have pick-up soccer happening on Sunday afternoons, so that should provide opportunity for more soccer fun.
Gym-wise, I've stuck w/ a pretty standard strength training about 2-3 days each week (2 more intense days, one light day) and running. I worked my way down to about a 9-minute mile during my 5K treadmill runs. I never thought I would make that! I try to keep it more steady at a 10-minute mile though, since I'm working toward distance and not worried so much about my time.
I never thought I'd enjoy running so much though! It's crazy...I literally randomly have the urge to go run...and I'm not talking about a short jog, I want to run miles at a time!
My adventure race was a little over a week ago, and I had a blast! It was only 5K, and the obstacles were great! I climbed over walls, up ropes, through tunnels... ran through puddles and waist-deep muddy water... crawled on my hands and knees through one mud pit and slid on my stomach through another! I never thought I'd enjoy being so muddy, but it was great... and the weather was perfect! I will be doing more of those...
After my race, I planned to meet up with some people for soccer (kind of last minute), but instead I ended up wanting to run. I ran another 4 miles that afternoon. That may have been the first day in a decade (maybe ever) that I've voluntarily (and for enjoyment) run 7 miles in a single day. I felt great! I kept running the next few days though (lighter 2.5-mile runs), so by soccer on Wed I was worn out.
I decided to take it a little slower this week (which is good b/c it's a busy week anyway), but by this weekend, I plan on stepping it up again. I have a couple more 5K runs on the horizon, and now I'm considering doing the Beltline 10K on Dec 3. That's a lot farther than I'm ready to run at this moment, but I think I can handle it if I learn to better pace myself.
Anyway, that's pretty much how my training has been going... lots of running, and I love it. I feel like I haven't lost a single pound though...I have gained some muscle, but I don't feel that much more toned. It's not about that, though, and I know it... I'm in better shape, and that's all that matters.
