My Wheaties Run

Last week, I bit the bullet and started running outside in preparation for my 5k obstacle race coming up at the end of this month. It was really challenging and demoralizing, and though I barely got through it, it was a necessary step forward. Since then, I’ve done additional three runs on the same loop. Despite the short period of time, I am already seeing improvement in my performance.

At the start of the week—my first time out—I was finishing the loop in a little more than 40 minutes. The first run, I could only run at about 6 minute intervals before needing a walk-break, and basically crawled back to my house in exhaustion. The second run, I cranked out a mile non-stop, but then alternated running/walking for the remainder of the distance. I made the loop in exactly 40 minutes. I did my third run on a treadmill, because Sleepy Karl was too persuasive that morning—and it was a grueling, late evening endeavor where I suffered through a 39-minute workout and hated every second.

Then yesterday, I must have eaten my Wheaties or something. I set out from my place and ran the first mile non-stop. I walked until my heart wasn’t exploding from my chest, continued run/walking on the hill section of the loop, and ran most of the way back to my place (downhill & flat sections) with three one-minute walk breaks. I got back to my driveway in 36 minutes even. That’s four whole minutes shaved off from my time in one week!

With my improved overall time came an improved spilt time as well. Typically on the treadmill, at a fixed 5.5 mph pace, I can do a mile in about 11:05. But it feels a little too fast, and difficult to sustain. Yesterday, I did my first mile in 10:15. I have no idea where that came from, especially because I felt like I was simultaneously operating at sloth-pace and very near death. On a pace conversion chart, 10:15 is approximately a 5.8 mph on the treadmill. There is NO WAY I could run at that pace on a treadmill, especially for a mile straight …I wonder what is different about outdoor running that could allow me to be faster while still feeling like I am exerting equal effort? My first guess is it has something to do with the difference between the natural cadence and gait afforded during outdoor running versus the precision and monotony required for the fixed pace of a treadmill. I’ll need to look into that.

Now obviously, these are by no means world record split or finish times—but it sure feels like it to me right now! And so I shall bask in this moment!

I’m learning a lot throughout the shift from indoor to outdoor running. Here’s some tidbits from my experiences this past week:

• I am thankful that most drivers yield to runners at intersections. Thank goodness for this, because if I got the chance to break my groove by waiting at stop sign, it is likely that I would neverget going again. I like to think that drivers have an innate sense of pity and/or respect for runners, and they are doing what they can to be supportive.

• Running (indoor or outdoor) calls for a lot of spandex. I just dropped so much money on compression capris and high-impact sports bras. Best. Purchases. Ever. Especially because my selections are largely neon colors. Neon makes me feel both safe (visibility) and like Rainbow Brite (awesomeness).

• Running also calls for really awesome playlists. I’ve been rocking out to a lot of classical/hip-hop fusions, like Nuttin’ But Stringz, because it’s both calming and motivating. I realize those are paradoxical sentiments. It’s hard to explain. Just give them a listen.

• Driving your running route makes you feel like a superhuman. You’re all, “holy crap, I did this on my own two feet??? Go me.”

• Running downhill makes you feel like a racecar. I am very happy about this.

So, after a week of outdoor running, I’m happy to see the improvement and am starting to enjoy it more and more. At the very least, I’ll ring in yesterday’s run as a personal best for individual mile and overall time, though I am looking forward to progressing in speed and endurance as the weeks unfold.

In unrelated news, and in case you haven’t noticed, I like to end my posts with pictures. So I’ve decided to show you some shots of food. This week, I made lots of tasty, Paleo/Primal noms—including homemade, organic mozzarella cheese. If you’ve never done this before, it is SO easy and SO freaking good. I highly recommend it.

Mmm, cheese. Recipe here.

Shaved steak with chimichurri over mashed sweet potatoes; Spring mix salad

Peace, peoples!