Big Improvement in Heart Rate!

Week of 12/10-12/16
20.23 miles/3:26:37/10:12avg
153BPM Heart Rate

This week I could definitely notice an improvement. I was somewhat surprised not to see an improvement in pace, but I was really excited to see my heart rate lower. I really noticed it during my speedwork. I ran faster than last week (9:19 @ 174bpm) and dropped my heart rate significantly running an 8:38 at 165bpm for a 30 minute tempo run. How cool is that?

Tonight's run was my long run of 6 miles. I was pleased that my heart rate continued to stay low (149bpm) although I really sacrificed pace to do it (10:54). It didn't feel like I was running that slow but I did not see my pace until the end of the run. I guess I will just focus on the improvement.

So all in all I'm feeling good about my training. I'm feeling like I'm finally starting to get back into running shape. Let hope for continued increases in performance. Now I guess I have to pick a winter half to run somewhere!

Strange Week... Good & Bad

Week of 12/3-12/9
13.75 miles/2:20:32/10:13avg
165BPM Heart Rate

Strange week. The first three runs I was in the cold Michigan weather then the Friday run I was in Florida running at noon. That was a horrible run. Now I didn't get much sleep at all and mu eating was not great but I was literally spiking a heart rate of nearly 180 while running 11:30's at the end. I'm not sure if it was the heat or what but that scared me to be sure. So much so I decided to blow off my 6 miler on Sunday. We'll see if that helps.

Well as crappy as my Friday run was my Wednesday Speedwork was hard but good. I ran 30 minutes at 9:19's. Not fast by historical standards but freaking flying compared to what I have been running lately.

So next week I'll just redo this week's program. The nice thing about not having a set race goal is I can move around my running program as needed. The bad news is I still don't have a target race to shoot for.

Anyway, another week in the books and I feel like progress is being made.

Still Fighting My Heart Rate

Week of 11/26-12/2
16.98 miles/3:00:07/10:36avg
157BPM Heart Rate

Another week of training in the books and the good news is I am getting my heart rate down a bit, the bad news it's not where I want it to be (145bpm) and I had to slow down almost 30 seconds to do it. I just keep telling myself that this will pay off in a few weeks. Lets hope!

The other theme of the week is "Tom is a big baby". I've run outside almost all year and I hit the treadmill three times this week. It was windy as hell on Tuesday so I cowered in the gym, and earlier today it was a bit sloppy so I headed for Pennock. What a baby I'm turning into. But I guess the important thing is I got all my runs in so I feel good about that.

I still haven't picked a February Half to run but there are several to choose from. I'd really like to find a good sized one in a warm climate so if you have any suggestions please let me know.

Anyway good week in the books. Technically this is the end of Week One of my training program so the mileage starts climbing just a bit next week. Hopefully I'll keep lowering my heart rate without having to give up too much speed!