Back in training: Update #8

Here is the latest update on my training for the sold-out Phillies’ 2nd annual 5k race on March 31 as part of my current effort to lose a total of 40 pounds. This is the eighth in what will be a series of updates here…

With temperatures in the 60s yesterday and in the 70s today, I made sure to get in 3.2-mile runs on each of the days.

I completed Wednesday’s run in 30 min., 06 sec., which marks my best time of 2012. In addition, I recorded a mile time of under nine minutes (8’48”) for the first time in about six years. It also was my fifth straight run in which I improved my time from the previous outing.

However, that streak came to an end with today’s run, which I finished in 30 min., 32 sec. I was feeling good halfway through the run and, in fact, clocked in at 14 min., 56 sec. at the midway point, so I was on pace at that point to finish in less than 30 minutes. But about two-thirds of the way through the third lap, I started cramping up and eased up a bit. Usually, I can go easy for about a 1/2 mile and pick up the pace again, but my body just didn’t respond today.

Again, one of my goals is to complete the Phillies 5K (3.1 miles) in less than 30 minutes. And since my usual route is 3.2 miles (0.1 mile further than a 5K), I’m at the point where I should be able to achieve that objective. Even though I struggled a bit today, I was still around that 30-minute mark so I’m confident that I’ll be up to the task by the time March 31 comes along.

That being said, I’m not going to relax once I start consistently finishing my runs in less than 30 minutes. My all-time best 5K time is 27 min, 54 sec. so I still have that to shoot for.

On the weight-loss front, there is a little better news to report this week compared to last. I’ve dropped an additional two pounds so I have now shed 13 of the 40 pounds I want to lose.

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Background

You can read my post from Jan. 28 for specifics, but I finished my only real 5K race in 27 min., 54 sec. back in fall 2006. However, I had been running regularly in the months leading up to it (the first time I ever ran like that in my life) and had lost 35 pounds. Now, after putting all the weight back on and being five-plus years older, my goals are to finish the Phillies 5K in less than 30 minutes and lose 40 pounds.

On a personal note, another reason I am doing this is because my wife and I are expecting our first child in early July. I’ll be 41 a few days after my wife gives birth and I want to make sure I’m in shape into my 50s and 60s so I can do things with our kid (or, thinking ahead a bit…kids).

I’ll be posting updates on my progress here once or twice a week.

Here is a table with my run distances* and times during this training period: