running

I've always been an athlete but never a runner.  Short distance sprinting the length of a basketball court has been about all the running I can muster.  Last year though, in an effort to get back in shape and since I'd much rather exercise outside than being couped up in a gym, I started running.  Well, let's be honest, I started jogging with long stretches of walking.  Three times a week for several months and I had reached a plateau where I wasn't really improving on my distance, time, or intervals of running. 

With the new year I decided to get serious about improving on my running.  First I picked up a new pair of running shoes which I was in desperate need of - a pair of running shoes will only last so long before they start doing damage to your feet and muscles.  I have been a cross trainer girl my entire life, but my sister Becky (a runner herself) encouraged me to get a proper pair of shoes made for running.  Thinner soles with less cushioning ensure you have proper running form and the lightest pair possible were the two elements at the top of the must have list.  After trying on dozens of shoes, I settled on the Nike Air Pegasus, which had a bit more cushioning than some of the other runners out there, but after an Achilles tear a few years ago, I need a bit more heel height on my left foot.  They are though, one of the lightest pairs I found. (Bonus, I bought the Livestrong version of the shoe and a percentage of the profits goes to help fund cancer research.)

Next I downloaded a running app onto my iPhone that sets up a training program towards an end goal, tracks my progress workout by workout and coaches me during the run.  After 2 weeks and 7 workouts I have increased my distance by a kilometer and my split times per kilometer.  The program I am using is micoach through Adidas which lets me customize the intensity of the workouts, adjust schedules and track my progress really easily.  I am on a 47 workout training program which consists of 4 runs a week that will reach an end goal of a 10k marathon. 

There is a running app, Nike Fit, that uses a small chip that you insert into your running shoes (most Nike Running shoes have the pocket for these in the sole) but since the chip has a certain battery life that requires repurchase and involved one more gadget I needed, I opted to work with the free micoach from Adidas that measures pace and distance through GPS.  And so far it works for me.  However, Nike, if you're listening, I'm available to testdrive the Nike Fit....