3 Mile Outside Run...

No, I didn't cheat over Christmas! :0)

Today I completed my first outside run! I decided to pick out a 3 mile route to complete and just do it. The farthest I've ever gone was 2.6 miles and I thought it was time for a little push. It was...AWESOME!

It was a beautiful 48 degrees outside with very little wind. It was nice not looking at a clock and it made the time go by much faster. I did 3 minute running segments mixed with 2 minutes of walking. It wasn't too hard at all except for a 3 minute push up a hill..THAT was hell, but everything else was great. The 3 minute segments weren't bad and it's all just getting easier.

Now, to be fair, I think it's important to be incredibly honest about what you do and don't do during this process. I probably wasn't going as fast outside because the treadmill wasn't keeping me there. Also, my walking could have been slower, but I held up really well and I'm very proud of myself. I finished in just over 48 minutes. I'm totally aware that the time probably sucks but hey, it's a start!

And the best part...the part I am so incredibly excited about...There was a time at the end where I was pretty far out but was definitely towards the end of the route. I made myself run the whole thing without stopping. I held up so strong and felt like I could keep going forever. I believe I just experienced my first runner's high!! I made it to my house with 8:22 of running non-stop! It felt so amazing! 18 days ago I attempted 60 seconds and I could BARELY make that! Now I'm doing over 8 minutes and feel as though I can go longer? WOW! The human body is an amazing conditioning tool.

My total running time today is..... 29 minutes!

Here is my progress so far:

Workout 1: 7 minutes running time
Workout 2: 8 minutes running time
Workout 3: 9 minutes running time
Workout 4: 10 minutes running time
Workout 5: 10.5 minutes running time
Workout 6: 16.0 minutes running time
Workout 7: 17.0 minutes running time
Workout 8: 18.0 minutes running time
Workout 9: 18.0 minutes running time
Workout 10: 18.5 minutes running time
Workout 11: 29.2 minutes running time

WOOOO HOOO!!!!