5k Training: Day Twelve

Yesterday was a HUGE milestone for me.  I, for the first time ever in my life, ran 3.12 miles.  It gave me a nice little preview of what my 5k is going to be like in three weeks.  THREE WEEKS!!!!!!!  (can you tell I'm excited?)  Now, just so you know, I really only did a 2.5 mile run, the rest was my warm up and cool down.

Quick interuption, I was checking the weather for the week and I found the beauty of a typo...

Somehow I doubt that it's really 122 in Salt Lake City today, or has ever been for that matter.  I'm all for the warmer weather, but this? Not so much.

Now, back to your regular programming.  Saturday is a very busy day at our house so, once again, my run was pushed late.  Until now, I haven't had to run in the dark, but last night I started at eight so there was no avoiding it.  I have to give major kudos to those of you out there who do this daily, whether in the morning or at night.  I, personally, felt a bit weird not getting my dose of vitamin D with my exercise.  

I was very, very tempted not to run last night.  It was late, my hubby had just gotten home from work and honestly, I was tired.  Luckily I have a great husband who walked in the door and told me to go have a great run.   Well, I couldn't look at him and tell I wasn't going to, so out I went.  I felt pretty good as I started out, my shins had been giving me some trouble so I took extra care to warm them up and stretch.  I was amazed to see how far .25 miles can really be.  Thank goodness for my walking intervals or I wouldn't have made it. After the first two intervals I still was considering giving up.  Then came the song that has sort of become my anthem.  Dare You to Move by Switchfoot.  I know this song isn't about getting up and exercising exactly, but for me, it is.  For so long I have been content with where I was, even at 260 pounds I just wasn't willing to work for a change.  Then came the goal of a 5k.  Now I'm moving. My favorite lines of the song:

I dare you to move
I dare you to lift yourself up off the floor
I dare you to move
Like today never happened
Today never happened before

As I listened to these words, I felt the change that I have been making, not only for my life but for my daughters.  I am going to be healthy, and I'm going to finish what I start.  For the first time on a long run, I lost track of how far I had gone. I wasn't worried about how fast I was going, just about finishing.  I just listened to the coaching on runkeeper, running when it prompted, slowing to a walk in between.

When I arrived home, I realized that I had gone almost the exact distance I will be racing in just three short weeks.  I am so glad I went.  I have a goal to shoot for in my race and, who knows, with three more weeks I may be able to shave a few seconds off my time.

Stats:

Distance 3.13 Mi.

Duration 47.02

Avg. Pace 15:15

Avg Speed 3.93 mph

Intervals	Pace (min/mi)	Elevation (ft)
5:00 (warmup)	15:38	0
0.25 mi (fast)	13:02	4
0.25 mi (slow)	16:07	-0
0.25 mi (fast)	13:18	5
0.25 mi (slow)	16:32	1
0.25 mi (fast)	13:58	2
0.25 mi (slow)	16:33	-2
0.25 mi (fast)	12:36	-6
0.25 mi (slow)	16:33	-2
0.25 mi (fast)	13:34	-1
0.25 mi (slow)	15:57	-4
5:00 (cooldown)	18:26	2