Training Day 1 and a New Running Buddy

Distance: 2.58 miles
Time: 30:14
Location: Apple Valley to Lompoc and back

On Wednesday, March 19, my new training regimen began.  It's been a month since the Timberwolf 5K and I've only run twice since then.  I definitely gave myself a nice break these last few weeks.  But the break's over!  My next challenge is going to be a fun one!  I selected the R.O.C. (Ridiculous Obstacle Challenge) Race as my next 5K.  It's going to be May 10 down in San Diego (Del Mar to be exact).  This race seems to be a nice middle-ground between a typical 5K and an intense mud run.  I prefer regular 5Ks or trail runs, but mud runs can be fun.  The first ever 5K I ran was actually a mud run and it was crazy.  The trend now is to ratchet up the intensity level.  Races like the Spartan Race and the Tough Mudder have runners leaping over fire and crawling through electrically charged wires.  A bit much if you ask me.  But the R.O.C. Race seems more on the fun side, with rope swings, slides, and water pits.  It's a 5K, but untimed.  Even so, I plan on getting myself as fit as possible for this thing.  I devised an 8-week running plan (3 weeks longer than my Timberwolf plan) as well as an 8-week strength plan.  I figure with the various obstacles requiring a lot of upper body strength, I better prepare for that as well.  So this will prove to be a much more extensive and tough period of preparation than it was back in January and February.  A bonus is that it is now spring and the weather is ideal for working out.  I'm excited and anxious to get going!

My first run was a 2.5 miler.  A few weeks ago we bought a jogging stroller so I can now go running while pushing Nathan!  I've wanted to do this since he was only a few months, so I'm really excited.  He absolutely loves being pushed in his stroller.  As soon as we got moving he began screaming excitedly!  My wife took her bike and rode alongside us for most of the run.  We ran out to Apple Valley Rd. then down to Sitting Bull and across to Lompoc.  I immediately noticed a difference in running with a stroller.  It was tougher than I thought it'd be!  It's a smooth push, but keeping it straight requires a bit of arm work.  And plus, Nathan is about 30 lbs. in addition to the stroller's 20 lbs. or so... we're talking a lot of weight!  That said, though, it wasn't detrimentally hard; just an added challenge (and a welcomed one). 

I noticed right away my lack of stamina.  I hadn't run in about 3 weeks and I felt it.  I was weak and slow.  But after the halfway point, I warmed up and finished pretty strong.  I should be able to bounce back quickly since it wasn't too long of a running break.  Nathan had a great time!  He was talking and pointing to things... it was a blast running with him, my new training buddy!  It was cool getting out earlier, too.  All during the winter I was running late, 8pm or later, in the dark of night.  But now that the hour's changed and we're taking Nathan out, we got out at about 6:30pm with a bright sun and actually got to watch it set as we got back.  It was awesome having the whole family out there with me!  I'm looking forward to the weeks ahead.

Post-run sunset on the last day of winter 2014.