Day 1: Running Alone

Well it didn't go as well as I had hoped - but at least I got my 3 miles done for today. It was only the third time I've run this month, so I guess I should have expected to be pretty sluggish. I also had major cramps half way through - I think it's because I had coffee an hour before my run. I haven't been drinking coffee in the past couple of months, so the coffee made my tummy cinch up. Yuck, not a pleasant feeling.

I also noticed that I am way less motivated or in the "zone" when I'm running alone. I'm such a competitive spirit that I think I need people around so that I can feed off their energy. When I'm running alone, I get caught up in my thoughts and it's a lot easier to get discouraged. When other people are around, I find I think less and just run. It motivates me that someone else is there, working just as hard, going through the same pain. These thoughts help me push myself.

Today I was running on the treadmill in my apartment's tiny gym... I was alone and feeling miserable, but with one mile to go in my run somebody else came in to workout. It's like a was reborn! I finished my run at a much better pace and the cramps just disappeared. Funny how that is.

Also, an hour before my run I had coffee and a bowl of Quaker instant oatmeal. I don't think there was enough to that breakfast. I think I need to add half a banana to it next time.

Tomorrow, I am running 3 miles again and doing strength training along with it.... hope I can push through. The first few weeks will be the hardest....