Tuesday, December 7, 2010

Tough workout!

Since the gym was closed last week, I knew the first workout would be a tough one, but I wasn't prepared for this at all.  I am training using heart rate zones - I wear a heart rate monitor & have 5 zones (5th one isn't reached thankfully!)  Workout 1 this week was called Endurance.  It wasn't the usual one with intervals - it was full out 3 miles of going at your AT (anaerobic threshold) or within 5 beats without going over.  For me, that means going at 5.2 mph on the treadmill with no incline.  The first mile was okay - did that in 12 minutes, switching between 4.9 & 5.2 mph.  After that, I started getting tired.  I paused the workout for about 30 seconds to give my legs a break.  I didn't think I could make it for the entire 3 miles.  Ended up finishing the 2nd mile after another 12:30 or so.  Mile 3 was proving to be a challenge - my legs didn't want to cooperate.  After 1/2 mile, I was ready to turn the machine off (after taking two 30 breaks).  I reduced the speed to 3.5mph and said to heck with staying at the AT!  Then after another 1/4 mile, I decided to ramp up the speed & go 5.6 for that last 1/4.  Finally it was all over after a total time of 37:05.  I was so proud of myself for not stopping and also for going that hard for so long.  I don't recall ever going over 3 miles on any of my previous workouts.  Now I guess I will have to keep pushing myself on future workouts in order to improve my stamina.  If you told me a month ago I would be able to do 3 miles in under 40 minutes, I would have laughed.  So far I am not sore - hoping I can walk when I wake up in the morning!

Run Amuck registration is a week from tomorrow on the 15th - hope I get one of those 3,000 spots!  Who is going to join me on the journey?

No comments:

Post a Comment