Sunday training

Four miles? well, you see, I *thought* it was about 2.5 miles to the library. I figured I would walk there and back and it would be a little over 4, but that would be fine. Hmmm. It is ~3 miles to the library. And the last mile there is up hill the whole way. And the wind was blowing directly at me. And I was carrying a backpack full of books to return that had to weigh at least 20 pounds (I had a lot of books checked out). Yep. I do think I officially nuts. So I walked there and back.

My shins were HORRIBLE for the first mile and a half, I stretched them 3 times in the course of about a quarter mile, they hurt so much. I almost called home to have someone come and get me, they were that bad. But then they got better. My knee was a little off, but not bad. I need to get better arch supports for my shoes, though. I think the ones I have are going to give me a blister if I am not careful.

I am thoroughly enjoying having my ipod for these walks all by myself, though. It makes them go by a bit quicker. Oh, and this one took about an hour and a half...just a little over. A little less than 6 miles in 90 minutes is a pretty good pace. I won't be able to keep that pace for 20 miles!

Saturday training

Today was supposed to be a 5 mile walk. Since that is what I did in week 2, one would think I might be able to do it again, and keep if close to the 5 miles. After all, I have already walked a 5-mile route by my house once, just follow the same route. Nope. In general, once I have walked it, I forget it. So I ended up walking 6.3 miles. Yep. I still stink at estimating!

The upside is it took me about an hour and a half, my shins only hurt for the first mile or so, AND I finally got a charger for my ipod, so I had music for the very first time on my walk! While I can't use it on the actual event, I can train with it. Never underestimate the power of good music. It seemed to take a lot less time to walk, and I kept a better pace, and just as the walk became drudgery, a new song would come on and spur me along a bit farther.

The bummer is my knee started to hurt a bit as I hit the last stretch of my walk (over five miles, probably close to 5.5). I think I am rolling my foot poorly. I tried to focus on stabilizing my knee planting my foot more appropriately. I'll have to figure that out before it gets worse...

Friday training

I did a very slow easy walk with the kids. I am counting it :) I actually did walk backwards for a piece of it, which uses very different muscles, so that has to count for something, right?

Thursday training

I finally got a walk in. It wasn't the 4 miles I was supposed to do, it was only 3, but better 3 than nothing, right? I felt like I was walking in someone else's heavy shoes that were too big. It was weird. I have never felt that uncoordinated walking! And my shins hurt. Sigh. Best to remember that the next time I don't feel like doing anything!

Monday and Tuesday

The weather has been foul. I haven't been feeling super, so nothing happened. I didn't walk. I didn't cross-train. I have done nothing. I am sure I will get out of the slump once the weather improves, but right now? Training is no fun what-so-ever.

Week 4 plan

Monday: Rest (Good, because the weather will not be good for outdoor walking).

Tuesday: Cross-training (This is supposed to be a 3 mile day, but due to other commitments, I will swap Tuesday and Wednesday)

Wednesday: 3 miles

Thursday: 4 miles

Friday: Cross-training (Pilates for me)

Saturday: 5 miles

Sunday: 4 miles

The schedule ramps up fairly slowly, adding a mile to one walk or another for a few more weeks.