Fast Running Soldier

A day of rest, and my body is needing it. Not only have I been doing this running, but I have been coming back to the gym later in the day to lift weights with some of the guys in my platoon...my body is tired!

Well, we had a long patrol yesterday...probably could have made the run in the morning but I stayed up too late and was acting lazy.

Anyway, today's run was better. I wanted to average a faster pace, so I ended up averaging just under a 7:45 for the entire run.

So, the goal today was to warm up with a mile, then run the next 5.2 at a 7:30 pace. Goal achieved! I also had the treadmill on a hill workout, so that made it hard, but good!

Today was a good run. I was feeling it. I started the first 4 miles at an 8:00 pace and then hit the last two miles at a 6:15 pace. 12:30 two mile time...sweet! 

I make a big deal about my 2 mile times a lot because in the Army, that is the distance we are tested on. For better or for worse, in order for me to get 100% in the running category I need to run two miles in 13:00. So I am always pumped to get that low. My best is an 11:52 and hopefully when I get back down to sea level and can actually run on ground instead of a treadmill I should be close to a 12:00 again.

Wow, i didn't even feel very sore today. Usually, after I run a fast two miles, the next day I am running at like a 8:30 average, but today I was comfortable at an 8:00. My average BPM was 155 which was nice to see. I can tell by looking at my BPM, that my heart is getting stronger and I can run at a bit of a faster pace and still keep the same BPM. Cool!

I have also started to take some advice from Sasha. Something I read in the discussion forum. He mentioned once that he notices a lot of people getting really hyped up before races and how that is the worst thing that you can do. You only have so much adrenaline, plus you don't want to burn glycogen to early, all of which can happen if you get really pumped before a race. Also, what caught my attention, was he mentioned that most likely people were getting pumped up because they were listening to iPods which probably had very upbeat and tempo music. The past few days, I have stopped listening to upbeat music and settled for the good old Mormon Tabernacle Choir music and I have been able to focus so much more on my breathing, form, and just staying relaxed. I am not looking at the treadmill as much to see how far I have gone...it has been VERY nice. I think Sasha is on to something here!

My long run for the week. I wish I could do more, but it kills me to run 8 miles on a treadmill. I ran about a 8:30 pace. I have been trying to run a little slower on my longer run days. Another week done.