After a couple days off from running, I hit the trail for my easy 3-miler today. I felt like kicking it up a bit today. I know I’m not going to break records or even pass ANYONE today, but wanted to push myself a bit and see where it takes me.  I tried to keep pace with this girl ahead of me who was slower than most runners I’ve seen, but she still was able to break away, and I was never able to catch up and pass her.  But it was a good challenge throughout the run, and my time seems to get better each week.

Road lines I still feel like I’m a very slow runner.  I know being about 80 pounds over what is considered a “healthy weight” doesn’t help my pace on the trail, but I have noticed this week a tightening of the belt.  Even though I was frustrated to only lose 4 pounds in August, I also know I have not been sticking to the optimum diet plan.  If I can just eat healthier and get to the gym after my runs for some strength training, that will do wonders.  I would absolutely love to lose 15 pounds this month, but man that’s a lofty goal.  Losing that much would allow me to wear about half the clothes in my closet right now, and my suits would feel a bit loose. What a feeling that would be!!

Good news is that so far, I’ve noticed a change in confidence and determination to be a better person physically and mentally.  I feel like I’ve gotten over that “I quit” hump, and I’ve trained my body to expect runs 4 times a week.  This running thing is starting to pay off.

Tomorrow I will be stepping up the mileage in my mid-week training, adding an extra one in the 2nd run.  I’ve been running 3 miles, 5 miles, and 3 miles during the week, but now it will be 3, 6, and 3.  It’s a good time to step it up.

Summary:

Location: Capital Crescent Trail, Bethesda, MD
Conditions: Cooler, 72
Goal: 3 miles
Results: 3 miles non-stop
Time: 33:42
Pace: 11:14/mile
Total Training Miles to Date: 82
Click here to view my complete training schedule

Thoughts:
I’m trying not to let my weight bring me down. Just getting through the weekly training for the Las Vegas Marathon is tough in itself.

What I’ll remember most:
Trying to catch up with that running in front of me, and failing.