When I began running I figured I'd end up quitting right away. I've always avoided running, even when I was in sports in my younger days. A few weeks into it, I realized that it was working for me, and it wasn't going to go away. I decided I may as well invest in things to make it even more enjoyable. I got some new, but cheap running shoes that I only use when I'm working out. I shopped on Under Armor's clearance site and ordered some ColdGear. I was delighted that the turtleneck and pants I ordered actually fit-because, let's face it, I'm not exactly the shape of most athletes that shop there. I also got a running vest. The vest fit on top-I could snap it at least, but I could not zip it over my belly. I didn't let it get me down, and dreamed about next winter when I'll put it on and it'll be way too big. Well, today it zipped. It was still quite snug, don't get me wrong, but the point is IT ZIPPED.
It took a long time for me to get my other running gaget. This is primarily because I am extremely cheap. I really REALLY wanted a Garmin Forerunner 305. I can not even imagine paying over $200 for a running gadget though. I went on Craigslist and eBay and was often bidding on them on eBay. I'd always get outbid. Finally I looked into the difference between the 305 and the 205. The 205 doesn't come with a heart rate strap. Honestly, I can't imagine I'd use the heartrate strap all that often. It certainly doesn't look comfortable. So I started bidding on 205s. And I won one.
I used it for the first time on tonight's run.
I ran really far. Farther than I've ever ran. Farther than I ever thought I could run.
For those of you that know my area, I ran from my apartment to Crestview. Up Crestview to Fleet Farm and home again. Once home I felt good, so I went around the front parking lot, back to the bike path all the way to the fire lane.
Then I checked my Forerunner. This is what I saw:
First: I ran for over an hour! A far cry from the one minute that was killing me a little over a month ago! Second: I ran 5.28 miles. Did you hear me? I said FIVE POINT TWO EIGHT MILES! Third: I divided the 1:04:15 by the 5.28 and discovered I averaged an 11 minute mile. I know that's not amazing, but I think in high school it was more like a 13-14 minute mile because I walked 9/10 of it. And that was only "running" one mile back then. This time I averaged 11 while running FIVE POINT TWO EIGHT MILES. I'm a little (ok, totally and completely) overwhelmed with this accomplishment. I'm undecided what I'll do next: work on adding distance or work on time. I'm leaning towards time because I'd like to have a nice starting PR for my Color Run, which was moved to July.
