Run #1 - Up, Up, and Ergh

So today was the official kick-off for my half training. According to my Runner's World Half Marathon Schedule, today was supposed to be 2 miles, with 7x1:00 (minute) Aerobic Intervals, then another two miles.


Tuesdays are also Pacers Fun Runs, which include the Hill of Doom © (more on that later), which doesn't lend itself to doing intervals, as you're just trying to make it up the hill. 


So looking ahead to Thursday, I noted that there was a 4 miler scheduled, with four "gentle pick-ups" (slowly running faster until you can't run anymore). 


Ah-ha! 


So I'm switching up the routine, much like I'm switching Saturdays' 3-4 miler to Friday as the next Lost Dog 5k. Looking forward to my first long run on Sunday though.


So back to today's run:


RunKeeper Result


Total Distance: 3.91 Miles
Duration: 45:10
Avg Pace: 11:32
Climb: 175 Ft


If you click on the RunKeeper result, you can see that smack-dab in the middle of the run is the Hill of Doom ©. I have been able to run up this hill once in the 5 months I've been running with Pacers, and that was the first night I attempted it. Tonight's running buddy, Carson, said that it might be a mental block - now that I know how bad it is, I psych myself into not doing it. 


So I'm telling you, internets, that I will run the hill next week. 


Today's run was smattered with a random asthma flare-up, which may have to do with the fact that I took my inhaler about five hours early, and didn't puff again until I was in the middle of running, which meant I didn't get any medication. Not to mention the intense burning in my boot-ay from the Hill of Doom ©. 


However, running with Carson on the way down proved to be a good way to keep going, so barring any more random asthma attacks, I will run the hill next week.


You hear that? I will run the hill next week. 


Two other points of note from tonight's jaunt:


1. I think I need to hang back and run slow and not get caught up in all of the supah!runners that go springing off towards the hill like antelope. Looking at my pace, for the first half mile I'm running a good 9 minute mile - which is waaaaaay too fast for me. 


2. I also am flirting with the idea of trying the hill by myself, and seeing what I can do without the self-inflicted pressure of having to run "fast." If I can prove to myself that I can run up and down the hill with no problems, then I think I can do it with the group. 


So, all in all, first "training" run was ok. A long way to go to get to 13.1, but I feel like I'm on my way!