First Run Down

So today I finally restarted my old running program, the Couch to 5k. It's designed for people who don't run and guides through 9 weeks of running so that at the end you can run a 5k with ease. In the beginning it starts off with short walk/jog intervals and works your way up to just jogging. I decided that since I have been running some recently I would start on week 4. I pushed myself really hard since it was just shorter intervals, but it was still a lot harder than I thought it was going to be. I'm just a really slow runner, even when I've been training for a while I run at about a 5.5 mph pace, I would love to run at 6 or 7 mph but I'm not sure if I'll ever be able to get there. All that really matters is that I can do it, the speed is just a bonus. I did most of the intervals at a 6mph pace and it really kicked my butt! I think on the next run I'll start off slower and get faster through out, rather than going so hard right from the start.

I have begun to look for races that I can participate in and Utah has a great website for this, so I can pretty much run every weekend if I wanted to. I think I'll try and do about two a month is all and that will depend on our plans and what not, but for now that's my goal. I haven't picked my first race yet, but soon I'll select one for the end of April.

I found out today that Mesa Falls, ID has a marathon every year (it's very close to Kolt's parent's house and it's gorgeous there). This year it's August 22nd and I'm trying to decide if I'll be ready for a half marathon by then. I'm not sure but I think that's good timing for it, almost 6 months from now. It's a great goal to work towards, plus it won't be that hot then up there, which is part of what scares me from running this summer. I don't want to get heat stroke! (I have before, not while running, but it was awful). But I suppose they hold the races early in the morning and plenty of people get out there and run in the middle of July and do just fine. I won't let it keep me from doing what I want.

I'm just so excited at the thought of actually being able to run 13.1 miles without stopping. How incredible would that be!??!?! At my current pace it would take me about 2.5 hours which is INSANE to me. I really do think if I work hard I can do it though! I'll be more than happy to keep everyone updated on my progress. Even if you don't care so much it's really exciting to me! lol