Long Run No. 3 ... 5 miles ... no problem

Saturday, 6/18 - 5 miles

• 5.01 miles, 60' 25" minutes, 12' 02" min/mile average pace, 171 BPM average heart rate
• Splits:
• mile 1: 11' 34" min/mile
• mile 2: 11' 57" min/mile
• mile 3: 12' 02" min/mile
• mile 4: 12' 21" min/mile
• mile 5: 12' 20" min/mile

I did it! I actually ran the full 5 MILES scheduled for today! It felt like such an amazing accomplishment when I finished. First things first. This run was much better than last week's long run. My pace and heart rate were still a bit high but overall the run went SOOO much better. Based on my run last week, I knew the importance of my nutrition and hydration so this week I made sure that I had what I needed to have a successful training run. I got plenty of granola and yogurt at the store so that I won't run out again. I also got a FuelBelt handheld water bottle at my local running store so that I would have water whenever needed it. I chose the handheld bottle over the hydration belt because I have no desire to chaf due to the belt bouncing up and down on my hips. It is bad enough when my sports bra chafs or the chest strap for my heart rate monitor rubs the wrong way.

So my plan for today was to wake up around 6 AM (I know right ... its a Saturday!) and eat my breakfast. I wanted to start my workout as close to 8 AM as possible to try to avoid the heat. I actually woke up around 6:15 but didn't eat mty breakfast around 7. After I ate. I changed into my running clothes and headed out for my workout around 8, just as I had planned. As I was walking, the shorts of my new running skirt started to ride up a little and head started to race with thoughts of my inner thighs rubbing and how to avoid it. I eventually decided to deal with it when it came so that I could focus on my running. I started running after about 15 minutes of walking. Instead of trying to figure out my pacing today, I decided to focus on my breathing and talking abilities. As long as I could breath in and out through my nose, I figured out that my effort level was in check. I also tried to make sure that I could at least mouth the words to the songs playing on my iPod and sing them in my head. I read somewhere that trying to focus on the actual pace can actually hold you back when it comes to improving your running ability. I feel like my pace was adequate because when I hit the 5 mile mark I felt like I could keep going. I chose not to so that I didn't over exert myself too soon.

I can honestly say that the water bottle was a wonderful thing to have. I didn't drink all 22 ounces during my run but it was nice to have water while I walking back to my place. Oddly enough, after I stopped thinking about the possibility of chaffing from my new running skirt, it didn't cross my mind again until after I got home and realized that I didn't chaf at all! I was thrilled to say the least. Walking around with neosporin and band aids covering my body is not the most thrilling way to spend the rest of my weekend. I did enjoy going for my run earlier than last weekend. Not nearly as many jogging strollers and no books in the ones that were out this morning. Also, there were fewer runners and walkers out in general, which didn't allow my insecurities to get the better of me. I don't have a lot of confidence when it comes to my running ability yet. I hope that will change as time goes by and I continue to improve.