Off to a fast start...

Saturday we joined the Galloway crew for a 4 mile run including the magic mile (mm). The mm is used to determine which pace group you should be in for marathon training. We ambitiously decided to run with the  10min/milers (last year we started in the 11:30's and moved to the 11:00 about half way through). I left my Garmin at home so I wasn't tracking intervals or pace...that's what the pace and group leaders are for anyway.

At the end of the first mile we are all breathing pretty hard and I'm thinking maybe I'm not ready for this pace group yet, when Anna looks at her watch and says we finished that mile in 10:30.....what? Ok, so let me explain my shock. According the principle of the long run, we are suppose to run slower then race pace; the point is to cover the distance. So essentially we should have finished this mile in about 11:30 to 12 minutes. With that said, since we had two-one minute long walk breaks and we finished in 10:30, we were running roughly at an 8 min/mile pace. Our interval is suppose to be at 3:1, we were running 4:1.  My dilemma is whether or not to say anything to the director.  According to my mm I should fit perfectly in the 10:00 pace group but there is no way if they are going to run that fast.  It's possible the director has already heard this gripe. Last year there was a rumor that the 10's ran faster then they should...but at an 8 pace...that's just ridiculous.

Today I started working out in the morning. This morning was a short 1 mile run  and upper body weight lifting. I have to say, it was great. It's cooler in the morning. I have a ton of energy and...this is the best part...it's all done! When I get off work, I don't have to worry about working out or feel guilty b.c I vegged on the couch! hahaha! 

The workout I got from last months Women's Muscle and Fitness. Looks like a good schedule to begin with and I have most of the equipment (less a bench....still working on that). I'm pulling inspiration from http://www.bodybuilding.com/ transformation of the week winner Cheryl http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/female-transformation-cheryl-ott.htm . She and I have very similar stats and workout at home. I like what she has done although I am not going to follow her diet plan. I like a more clean diet rather then a lot of processed shakes and bars. I do, however, have one protein shake after a workout.

So day one is on the books. Here is hoping this good routine continues.