Training Session #2: 4 miles + 4 GP

My dad accompanied me to the track this morning. He did a nice 2-mile walk/run while I struggled through 4 miles with 4 GP. GP stands for Gentle Pickup. In other words, at the end of the run, you walk for a couple of minutes then slowly increase your leg turnover until you are at a pace that belabors your breathing. Hold this pace for about 100 meters, then slow down to a walking pace until you fully recover. Repeat four times.

I don’t want to make any excuses, but the humidity was unbearable this morning. Even with an occasional breeze, I could not find any temporary relief from the hot, thick air. I seriously contemplated cutting my workout short. As disappointing as this sounds, with 3 more laps to go, I resolved to stop running. Fortunately, that is when I realized that my dad was no longer on the track. So, I decided to finish up my four miles by running around the area to catch up with him. Ironically, as I left the track looking for my dad, he was returning to the track via the entrance behind me. Of course, with my headphones blaring, I did not hear him call after me, and I was on my journey around the community center in search of him. After about 8 minutes of running, I realized that my search was useless, and my best bet was to go to the track and wait for him. That’s when I found him sitting on a bench watching me with a smile on his face. I couldn’t help but smile either; after all, I finished my workout.

Training session #1: 2 miles, 7x1:00 AI, 2 miles

Day one of training. My motivation was skyrocketing. For the past three weeks, I had been running about 2 miles per workout (and sadly, that was tough for me). But today… today I am going to double that! I hadn’t felt so much motivation to run since high school cross country (four years ago).

My first two miles felt great! I maintained a 9.30 mph pace. It was comfortable, but I still felt like I was working out. My second mile marked the beginning of the AI (Aerobic Intervals). Aerobic Intervals mean that I push the pace just a little. During AI’s you want to find a tempo that feels somewhere between comfortable and "Hey, I'm workin' a little here." Then you hold that tempo for 1 minute. After that minute, I went back to my normal pace and continued my mileage. I repeated this seven times. The AI’s made the miles go by quicker, because they distracted me from the growing tightness in my quads and hip flexors.

By the end of my third mile, I didn’t think I could run anymore. My legs hurt, my breathing was labored, and it’s just so easy to stop. Fatigue is motivations quickest poison. But determination only grows stronger with fatigue. I was determined to finish those four miles. And, thank you to the man in the blue headband… you stepped onto the track in your matching blue Niket- shirt and for some reason, that motivated me to keep going. I ran about six paces behind this man for my last mile. He maintained a perfectly consistent tempo and before I knew it, I successfully completed my four mile workout.

New Directions for Cat’s Brainwave Blog: My Half Marathon

Hello Readers,

Most of you are familiar with Cat’s Brainwave as a travel blog; but since my return from The Land Down Under, my funds (or lack thereof) have limited me from continuing to fulfill my travel passion. So, while I find a job and begin to replenish my savings account, I plan to blog about another passion of mine: running.

In the midst of my post-college job hunt, I have developed a nagging itch to support a good cause. But, because my soon-to-be career will dictate my routine and schedule, I must wait to commit to an organization or community service program. In the meantime, I figured that I could participate in short term events to help support causes. My first event was walking for Relay for Life. It was an emotional but rewarding evening. My mom and I walked two miles together, quietly reflecting on the solemn importance of this event.

On one particularly lazy morning, I laid in bed with my laptop on my lap (go figure) simply reading emails and surfing the web. During my aimless browse, I happened to spot an advertisement for a half marathon in Hershey Park. I have wanted to run a half marathon for years now, but I had not found the motivation or time to actually do it. In this moment, all of my hesitation immediately dissipated at this opportunity. I could kill two birds with one stone: support a great cause while checking “Run Half Marathon” off my list of Things To Do Before I Die. My family is very receptive to my new endeavor, and I am excited to accomplish such a feat.

So, I hope you are interested in reading about my experiences through this immense challenge. I know that I will need endless support and motivation through these next nine weeks. Wish me luck! :)

THE HALF MARATHON DETAILS:
From August 2nd (today) to October 2nd, I will be training for the Hershey Park Half Marathon (13.1 miles). The half marathon takes place on Sunday, October 3rd in Hershey, PA. The Hershey Half Marathon benefits The Children’s Miracle Network at Penn State Children’s Hospital. The Children’s Miracle Network funding helps provide top-notch pediatric support for sick children. I will be following a nine week half marathon training program for beginners supplied by RunnersWorld.

For more information about the Hershey Park Half Marathon, visit http://hersheyhalfmarathon.com/.

To view my RunnersWorld nine week training program, visit http://www.runnersworld.com/article/0,7120,s6-238-244--6851-2-2X5X8-4,00.html.

For more information about The Children’s Miracle Network at Penn State Children’s Hospital, visit http://www.pennstatehershey.org/web/cmn/home.