FIVE (!) Mile Run

I've started running on the track at the Y. I have spent the past 1.5 years "running" on the treadmill - which really meant running faster than I felt comfortable, then having to jump off and rest for a minute or two every mile. I dreaded it, and I knew I wasn't doing my best.

So, I started to run on the track. At first I was apprehensive because it was 11 laps for one mile. I thought it would be dreadfully boring. But it turns out it's easier!

Here's why I like running on the track right now:

11 laps goes fast. At less than a minute per lap, it is easy to talk myself into just a few more

I get to ZONE OUT to my favorite music. My tunes of choice (don't laugh - it is great running music!):

On days my kids play in the gym with KidKare I get to see them! However, today that backfired and Hannah got pretty mad when she saw me run by... She cried for at least 5 laps!

It's not very busy up there and I don't have to worry about getting the machine I like.

The miles add up fast! Like I said in the first reason, it's easy for me to talk myself into more laps. I mean it's only 5 laps for 1/2 mile. If I can get to 5, I can get to 7, and from 7, it's just a few more to 9 and after 9 I'm almost done with that mile. This was my mentality today as I made it to FIVE MILES.

The last mile was slow and I was tired, but I did it! I averaged out to 11:00 per mile, which is slower than I would like - but I only walked 2 laps the whole time!

 If I had been on the treadmill, I would have had to stop at least 10 times to catch a breath because I would have had the tread set too high. On the track, I can run at my own pace and go faster and slower as I need.

Why haven't I been on the track this whole time???