Hey, Hey, Success!

Dragged my butt to the gym today before noon because I have been feeling motivated to go.  I was not very motivated this morning though when I was all cozy in my covers on the couch, but I went anyway.  I told Chris I would go in the morning and be home to make lunch as he only had to work a half day.  I left it right to the wire to leave.

I strategically chose my treadmill.  I almost took the one between two fast and fit runners, but decided their fast pace would distract me from keeping a steady one.  Plus it felt a little intimidating.  I relocated to a treadmill between two walking young girls.  I was ready to feel like a champ by kicking up the speed between them.

I set my treadmill to a modest 4.5mph and proceeded to do my 3km (1.86 mile) trial run.  I ran a full 7 minutes before I had to take a walking break, but then I was able to do roughly 2 minute sets of walking then running.  I even set the treadmill on an incline!

Bad News: I'm still getting a stitch in my right side when I run.  It is mild enough that I can ignore it for the most part.  Today I got huge cramps in my calves though at the 1 mile mark.  I had to really slow it down to keep from feeling like my muscles were going to burst out the back of my legs.  I discovered keeping the steady run pace was better than walking it out though.  Any suggestions for muscle cramping while running?  I did not stretch before as my trainer advised me not too, but I did stretch after.

Good news: My ego took a boost because the girls on either side of me kept looking over at me and upping their pace for short bursts.  And, when they left a fit young guy ran at breakneck speeds next to me for short bursts and then watched me run on his rest times.  I just watched Ellen Degenerous' stand up "Here and Now" with the odd glance around the room.  TV makes running go so much faster. 

Better News: I hoped to complete my 3km in under 30 minutes to feel like I was even close to being competative for the try-a-tri with some training.  I managed to do it in 29 minutes!  So, if I shave 1 minutes off my time every month I will be able to achieve a competative time for the run portion in August (I'm aiming for middle of the pack). - Sad realization...that means I need to run the entire 3km at 6mph without walking breaks :( but it's possible.


Wednesday is cycle day.  10km on the bike.