Season 1, Mission 8: The Old Mill

Out collecting medpacks, discovered a lone survivor surrounded by zombies

2.06 miles - 37:00 minutes - 17:59 min/mile

So we start another week. I have to say that, despite my disappointment in my extreme slowness, I am glad that I haven't missed a run since I started this time. Maybe by the time the Zombies, Run! Virtual Race comes around, I'll be able to do the 10k at a decent (for me) speed. I also run better when the weather's cooler—even though I'm getting up and running early, it's been already in the 70s when I run, which is warm for running.

Splits were 17:38 and 17:50. Slowed down a little but not too much. No zombie chases again—that's three missions in a row now. Okay by me! I'm half inclined to turn them off. I remember one time before, I'd gone a streak with no chases, so I turned up the frequency a bit and ended up getting four in one mission the next time. Oops! Not this time. I'll just leave them as is, and if I don't get any chases, that's fine with me.

I'm finding that I'm remembering most of the Season 1 missions now as I do them. I'm eager to get through it and get started on Season 3!

Week 7: Two miles (Season 1, Mission 7: A Voice in the Dark)

Survived a night in the wilderness with no ammo, zombies chasing, and just one voice

2.26 miles - 39:57 minutes - 17:39 min/mile

I was scheduled to do 8 miles this weekend, but for various reasons, I decided to bag it and just stay home and do another Zombies, Run! mission. Mainly because it's supposed to hit 93 F today, and even if I got to the park in time to start at 6 AM, I'd be out there for probably two and a half hours, and it would be scorching even by 8:30. And I'm not training for a race anyway, so the distance doesn't matter, as long as I get a run in. I'd set my alarm for 5:30 AM anyway, thinking I'd see how I felt when I woke up, but I slept badly and felt yucky when the alarm woke me, so I just stayed in bed another half hour and did my run around the house.

And it was just as well—I felt like Ploddy McPlodderface out there, and my time shows it. Splits were 17:00 and 17:36. No zombie chases this time, thankfully—I suspect the zombies would have caught me.

One bit of good news: the Zombies, Run! Halloween Virtual Race has been announced. I'll definitely sign up for that. Maybe instead of going for a half marathon, I'll just work on my speed for a 10k through the rest of the summer, and think about working up to a half once the weather's cooled down.

Season 1, Mission 6: Supply Run

Headed out to New Canton with Janine on comms for a crucial mission

1.84 miles - 32:37 minutes - 17:44 min/mile

Another slow one. No zombie chases today, so it was just me plodding along. Splits were 17:35 and 17:30. At least I didn't slow down.

I'm thinking now that I may just train up to 14 miles, then go back and start over without doing any races (except maybe a virtual race) and see if my pace improves on a second run-up. Because it looks like 17 min/mile is just my pace right now. Maybe I should try adjusting my interval. Although, I'm not slowing down, so it's not like I'm getting too tired. I'm just not getting any faster.

Ah well. I'm keeping up my training, anyway, even having to get up at 6 AM to go out and run. Haven't missed a run yet since I started this time!

So, on this mission I picked up a solar charger and a car battery! And I'm thinking, how the heck am I going to get this stuff in my backpack, much less outrun zombies carrying it? Car batteries are heavy! Heh. Sometimes the supply pickup is a bit unrealistic. Like running through buildings and such, picking up sports bras and 9 mm ammo.

Season 1, Mission 5: Paul Revere

Comms down - ran all the way to Brunswick to warn them of a massive horde

2.02 miles - 34:33 minutes - 17:07 min/mile

I ran with my watch this morning, so I could do 1:1 minute run/walk intervals. Don't think it was that much different from just alternating laps. Had a bit of a headache this morning, but it seemed to clear up as I ran. I felt slow, but no slower than usual, I guess. I worked about three hours yesterday building a table for the shed and got pretty tired and made my shoulder sore. So not a lot of energy today.

Splits were 17:04 and 16:50, with one zombie chase at 28 minutes. I had a hard time evading them—they got within 20 meters, but I managed to escape.

Week 6: Three miles

3.36 miles - 56:04 minutes - 16.7 min/mile

A short one this week, just three miles. Got to the park around 6:15 AM and had a good run before the sun got too hot.

There was a Magic Mile today, which I did in 16:46 minutes. Just about the same as my average pace. It was the uphill mile, as usual. At least I didn't slow down much.

My pace is improving slightly, I think. Not as much as I'd like, but I'm on the right track. At least I'm keeping up my exercise and feeling a lot better! I'm even getting used to getting up early. Sometimes I'm tired during the day but I haven't been taking naps lately, like I did at first.

Season 1, Mission 4: A Lost Child

Rescued a lost child in zombie-infested wilderness. Found an important ally.

2.13 miles - 36:50 minutes - 17:16 min/mile

This morning I decided to try to measure how far around the house I should run so that I was running and walking about the same amount of time. I used my phone to time a minute of running, from my start point in front of the house, and then time how long it took to walk the rest of the way back to start. It was about 45 seconds. So I figured I should stop a little short of a minute. Picked a spot that looked about right, and ran to that spot, then walked the rest of the lap. It seemed to work pretty well. (I suppose I should just use my watch, if I want to keep my 1:1 minute ratio going during the week. I could loop it onto my belt if I don't want to wear it on my wrist.)

Anyway, it was a pretty good run. Sun today was hot even before 7 AM, so that probably slowed me down some, but I finished without any trouble. There was one zombie chase at 16 minutes, which I evaded without them getting close. Mile splits were 17:06 and 17:02.

Still going fairly strong, if slow. Still no plans for a particular race. Wonder if I should just keep on training up for a full marathon? I should reach half distance in early October. Could be ready for a full by December. Would be interesting to see how it goes. At this pace, 17 min/mile, a full marathon would take around 7:42 hours. Huh. That's the pace I ran LA and my last Honolulu. I don't like taking that long, but it's not like I haven't done it! Well, we'll see. Just keep running for now and see what happens.

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Season 1, Mission 3: Lay of the Land

Explored area around Abel Township with Head of Runners, retrieved govt supply drop

 

1.62 miles - 27:13 minutes - 16:50 min/mile

A short one today. I wonder how the timing works? It was supposed to be a timed mission of 31 minutes, but I was almost four minutes short. Possibly to do with the music? I think they try to put the mission audio in between songs. Anyway, it was a good run. I got up early, around 5:45 AM, and was finished around 6:30. Pace was a little better today, under 17 min/mile.

One zombie chase at 8 minutes, which I evaded without letting them get within 50 meters. Mile splits were 16:34 and 16:46. (Still wonder how my average pace ends up slower than either of my splits, but oh well.)

Week 5: Six and a half miles

6.89 miles - 1:56:08 hours - 16.8 min/mile

Another long run done, and I'm halfway to a half marathon. Got up early, around 5:15, and was able to make it to the park just before 6 AM. It was a cool 70 F with a slight breeze when I started, close to 80 F by the time I was done. Starting to get hot already, but I was able to finish without any trouble.

I used the 13.1 training app, so I could have Jeff Galloway tell me when to walk and when to run, and when the run was over. Now that I'm using it again, I'm reminded that it doesn't keep track of mile (or km) splits, so I can't tell how much/if I slowed down much over the length of the run. Did manage to average under 17 minute miles, so that's good.

If I keep this schedule, I'll be doing 9 and 11 mile runs in August, nudging up towards 3-hour runs. If the weather stays like this, that's a good two hours or more in 80-degree sun. So far, the sun hasn't bothered me too much. I'm slower, and get more tired, but I can still finish without crashing like I was doing before my surgery. I'll just have to see how it goes when the runs get longer.

Season 1, Mission 2: Distraction

Abel's gates stuck open - helped Runner 8 distract the incoming zombie horde

2.00 miles - 35:07 minutes - 17:35 min/mile

Another run around the house. Weather was overcast, around 70 F, great running weather! Wish it would stay that way all day.

I ran without my watch, starting out trying to estimate a 1:1 minute run/walk ratio, but started getting winded and went back to one lap running, one lap walking. That gives me a bit more walking time than running, but for the uneven, rocky driveway it seems to work best.

No zombie chases today. My splits were 17:42 and 17:02. Hm, again speeding up on the second mile. I guess because I was getting warmed up and in my running groove? I don't know but I'll take it. Blah blah still slow. But I feel like I'm getting a bit better.

Six mile run this weekend! Supposed to be overcast again, which will help, since it's also forecast to be 89 F.

So, this was Runner 5's first meeting with Sarah!

Season 1, Mission 1: Jolly Alpha Five Niner

Survived rocket launcher attack on our helo. Evaded zombies, made it to Abel Township

2.00 miles - 36:20 minutes - 18:12 min/mile

Back to the beginning! Ran the very first mission again. Ran around the house, approximately one lap running/one lap walking.

Mile splits were 18:17 and 17:42, so I actually sped up for my second mile. There was one zombie chase at 30 minutes, which I evaded, but they got within 20 meters just before I escaped. Still very slow, sigh. Wonder if I'll ever get back down to 16 minute miles again?

Week 4: Two and a half miles

 2.87 miles - 47:50 minutes - 16.5 min/mile

I decided to use the 13.1 Half Marathon app to do my long run today, even though it wasn't really very long, so I could listen to Jeff Galloway tell me when to walk and when to run and I wouldn't have to wear my watch.

There was a Magic Mile in today's run, which ended up being 16:42 minutes—slower than my average pace for the run—because it was an uphill mile. But only a little slower. It was a pretty good run. Another day when there was no one at the park when I got there, and only a few cars in the parking lot when I finished. I had the whole trail to myself, except for the bunnies! Just after dawn is the time when all the rabbits come out. There were little cottontails hopping along all over the place.

So, four weeks in and I'm still going strong. Still getting up at 5:30 - 6:00 AM to go out and run three times a week, feeling good and enjoying myself. Sometimes I take a little nap later in the morning to make up for the lost hours of sleep, but sometimes I don't feel like I need it. I have more energy in general and feel a lot stronger. I'm really glad I am finally able to run again.

Zombies, Run! Season 2, Mission 45: Going Underground

2.04 miles - 35:29 minutes - 17:23 min/mile

A shortish one this morning, which was nice for a change. It was over before I knew it! That's it for Season 2. So now I think I'll go back and do Season 1 over, before proceeding to Season 3.

It was actually kind of cold this morning, 53 F when I started out, so I wore my long-sleeved running shirt and long leggings. Pushed my sleeves up by the time I was done, but it was still fairly cool.

Two zombie chases today, at 11 and 30 minutes. The first one I evaded before they even got within 50 meters, but I was getting worn out by the second one and they got within 20 meters before I got away. But I escaped both times! Mile splits were 17:00 and 17:18 (I still wonder how my overall time can be longer than any of my splits). Maintained a steady pace the whole way. Did mostly one lap running, one lap walking, except when zombies intervened.

 

SPOILERS

Zombies, Run! Season 2, Mission 44: Something Good, 08

2.71 miles - 46:42 minutes - 17:12 min/mile

Pretty good run this morning. I ran around the house, and didn't feel like wearing my watch, so I just estimated intervals. The dogs barked at me a couple of times, but not enough to bother me.

There were three zombie chases, at 4, 11, and 23 minutes. For a change, the chase at 4 minutes didn't bother me too much, I evaded just after they'd reached 50 meters. The last chase, at 23 minutes, was hard—they got within 20 meters just before I evaded, but I did manage to escape each time!

My splits were 16:41, 17:03, and 17:30. Quite a bit of slowdown in that last mile, but I think that's mostly because that last zombie chase wore me out. Didn't have any trouble finishing, though.

My "long run" this week, on Jeff Galloway's beginner's half marathon schedule, is supposed to be 2.5 miles, shorter than the run I did today! I'm just going to do three miles at the Park. His schedule has several x.5 mile runs, which is hard to measure out at the park, so I'll probably just round them up or down as they come up. Or, I was thinking about using the Galloway apps to do my long runs, and just use Zombies, Run! on the midweek runs. I guess that depends on if they have any more over 60-min missions! That 75 minute one surprised me, they're usually around 30–40 minutes long. I will just have to adjust as the missions come up.

SPOILERS