Beginning this week, we have moved into heat wave #4 for this summer…..and we still have a month and a half of summer left to go!  Hoooweee…it’s hot out there.  For me it translates into more treadmill runs, and less time outside.  That’s ok.  Since my husband bought me a portable air conditioner unit that lives in the spare room with the treadmill, running inside has some relief from the heat.  And I’m learning the mental strength to fight the boredom, so it doesn’t bother me as much.

Being on the treadmill, makes you stare at the indicators.  I am usually a quarter of a mile into my run, before I realize I forgot the towel to cover the dashboard.  Oh well.  Looking at the speed indicator, just makes me hear Marathon brian’s voice in the back of my head, ” you’re capable of more.”   Hmmm.  That bug is in my head.   Time to move it up.  Move up the dial, and see.  See….what I am capable of.

During my last interval run, I moved the base speed to 5.3, and my sprint speed stayed 7.5.  So I gave it a hot during one of my 2-mile runs this week at 5.3.  It was a piece of cake.  So the next day, my ego hit the button twice more, and I tried 5.5.  Huh,,,that was pretty easy too.  What the heck is going on here.  The next day, 5.7.  Ok, that one made me concentrate, but the two miles laid down in front of me as if I were…a….runner….cool!  5.7 felt wonderful, because it’s at this speed that translates to a 10:30 minute mile.  WOW.  I am getting speedier.  I like that SooooMuch.

So, just yesterday, I hit the button again, and ran 5.8.  That’s 10:20 minute mile.  Holy Moly!  The best part was…I did it again today.  Don;t get me wrong, I know these speeds are not off the charts F.A.S.T…..but for me they are great speeds.  My DREAM would be to be able to run 10mm for all 26.2 miles come January 13th.  So to be close to that speed for my 2 mile run…I dunno, I feel like it’s a good starting point.  From here, I simply need to learn how to sustain 10mm for endurance.  I feel like its possible.  Right?

Well…..the only way I will know is by trying.  Tomorrow is a rest day, and then I’m off and running again on Wednesday.   At 5.9…..perhaps?

Ciao for now……Diane