Monday 19 laps

32:22 minutes, 30:70 sec run/walk ratio

(My run/walk ratio was actually more like "run for about 30–40 seconds, then walk the rest of the lap." It's very hard to pin a precise ratio on it. But my run interval was more than 30 seconds, less than half a lap.)

And, yay! An excellent time. Shows what a difference it makes to run rested and without the sun beating down on me! I went out around 6:15 pm (meant to go at 6 pm, but got distracted), after the sun was well down behind the mountain, so it was shady all around the loop. The temperature had already cooled off considerably from today's high near 100 F. I felt good and kept up a good pace the whole way. In fact, my second mile was a bit faster than my first, probably due to walking the first lap.

I was going to listen to my iPod shuffle, but the battery had run down, so I just ran in silence. I'd been worried that the bugs would be too annoying to run in the evening, but they weren't any worse than they are in the morning, so no big. Plus, it's much easier to kick myself out the door in the afternoon than it is in the morning. So, I think this schedule is going to be a keeper.

I've also decided to try to exercise six days a week, instead of only three. I'll continue to run/walk three days (looks like Monday Wednesday Friday for now), and on Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday, I'll either walk two miles or do some yoga or Tai Chi or something. I did actually go out and walk two miles Saturday, but I don't plan to make separate posts for the in-between days. I did two miles in 37 minutes. It would have been less if I hadn't stopped twice to shake rocks out of my shoes, and once to see if someone was coming up my driveway. I figure I lost about two minutes in various stops, so I probably could have done the two miles in 35 minutes if I'd kept going. Which is kind of freaky when you think about it—that's as fast as some of my slower running days. Heh. If I could keep up that pace, I could walk a marathon as fast as my last few running ones. Oh well!

It does make me think that I'd be just as well off to walk on days that I'm feeling particularly tired or icky.

Friday 19 laps

35:33 minutes, half:half lap run/walk ratio

Well. I really am having a hard time getting back into exercising. The heat, for one thing, and my tendency to stay up later and sleep in later when I'm not working. Finally, I decided to give running in the afternoon a try, so today, I went out at around 5:30-ish and did my 19 laps. It was pretty hot today, but the sun goes behind the mountain around 5 pm so it starts to cool down a little, and there's no sun beating down on me, which makes a big difference.

I still felt tired and enervated. Partly because I ate a late lunch today (around 3 pm), so I was still sort of full. But it was okay. I kind of liked going out in the afternoon. I didn't feel rushed like I do in the mornings, especially when I'm trying to beat the heat. Plus, this allows me to do my morning practice as late as I want, and not interfere with running. I think I will try this for a while and see how it works. Ideally, I would like to at least go out and walk on non-running days, so I'm getting some exercise every day.

I was followed by a very sweet blond dog who showed up at my door this afternoon. Looks like maybe a lab-golden mix. I hope he/she has a home to go to. Otherwise, I might just have a dog...

Saturday 19 laps

35:50 minutes, half:half lap run/walk ratio

I slept in late this morning, didn't get up until 8:15 am, so it was 8:40-ish by the time I got out to do my run, even doing it right away after chores. Fortunately, it's cooler today with a light breeze, so it wasn't a problem to run later in the morning. Still, I felt very enervated and logy and my time was really slow. At least I got out there and did it, which I really didn't want to do.

I had already decided not to start ramping up mileage yet. I just want to get into the habit of running three times a week for a while first.

I've almost finished The Art of Happiness, I think. Probably start re-listening to Getting Unstuck next time.

Wednesday 19 laps

34:30 minutes, half:half lap run/walk ratio

I did my run earlier this morning, going out as soon as I'd finished my morning chores (feeding fish and cats and cleaning cat boxes), so I was running by 7:20 am. It was much cooler, although I still felt the sun when I wasn't running in the shade. There's much more shade at that time of morning, though, so even if the sun's hot, I'll feel less of it.

I still felt tired and slow. Maybe I need to drink some soy milk or something before I go out. I do usually have my cocoa first, which probably helps boost my energy. Maybe I should have my protein drink first, and cocoa after, instead of waiting till after to have my protein drink. Hm. I'll try to remember to try that on Saturday.

Otherwise, it was more or less the same as on Monday. I listened to The Art of Happiness on my iPod and trudged around the house.

Monday 19 laps

33:42 minutes, half:half lap run/walk ratio

Well. I'd meant to take a week off while I was visiting my friend in Monterey... but that week kind of turned into six weeks. For one thing, it was really hot here for about three or four weeks after I got home. The temperatures were near 100 F every day, and it never really cooled down. Even early in the morning, it was too hot to run. Plus, I suddenly found myself giving notice at my job, and I just kept thinking about how much easier it was all going to be when I wasn't working any more, so I just put everything on hold until the end of July. Then, when I did stop working, I spent about a week just lazing around enjoying not having to do anything.

But finally, today, I decided it was time to get my butt in gear and start exercising again. I will most likely switch back to my usual Tuesday-Thursday-Saturday schedule after this week, since I'm volunteering at the library on Fridays, but I didn't want to lose the momentum I woke up with this morning, so I went ahead and did my 19 laps around the house.

I'm not sure I will want to do the Las Vegas Half Marathon in December—I'm going to have to cut back on my expenses now that I'm not bringing in that extra money working at the library—but, for now, I'll continue training as if I'm going to be doing it. I've got plenty of time, still, so there's no hurry.

I didn't get outside until 9 am this morning, and it was already getting hot, although nowhere near as hot as it was a few weeks ago. I think I'm going to have to start doing my runs first thing in the morning, after doing morning chores, instead of sitting down to have my cocoa and read journals and email and click dragons and such first. If I get up around 7-ish, I could be out running by 7:30 or 8 am, which should be cooler than 9 am. I'll try to do that next time.

I listened to the Dalai Lama's audiobook this morning. After I finish it, I think I'll listen to Pema Chodron's again. Then I'll have to get another Buddhist audiobook for my morning runs.