week 1

We scoured the web for good training programs all week long. We found a couple, but none seem to start with a relatively healthy non-runner, so we're going to have to figure the first several weeks.

Right now she is running with walk breaks 3-4 times a week with a bit of cross training in between.

I was quite impressed on our first day out last Sunday. The first mile was pretty rough - mostly uphill for a quarter mile where we walked, then finished with a quarter mile downhill, where we jogged. We then realised our dog was infested with tics and decided to take him home before we did anymore running. After riding home, removing tics, and getting back to a trail, we had a nice 45 minute rest. We did a relatively hilly offroad 2 mile trail, where Sena ran most of it, finishing the first mile in 11:45, and the second mile (where most of the uphills were) in 14 minutes.

During the week Sena ran on the treadmill, managing a fairly long stretch (2 miles) without walk breaks at a 12 minute pace by Friday.

Today we ran a flat trail for 3.5 miles of run / walking, pulling off 11:45, 11:38, and 11:11 in the first 3 miles. She was having a rough go at times, but she toughed it out.

I try to tell her that this is the hard stuff and it does get easier, but Sena has never been extremely patient and wants to 'know' what she will be capable of during the marathon so she can train at the right level. It is too early to answer any of these questions, but it will be very interesting to find out.

All told, very impressive first week.