Running yourself into the ground?

Day 3

When I originally planned to start training I intended to run Sunday, Tuesday, Thursday. I wanted this schedule because it would maximize the number of days that A. would be at preschool while I trained, I could get one day ahead on my blog posts, and, mostly, because I already take an aerobics class at the gym on Monday, Wednesday, Friday. And I like it, a lot. So I wasn't sure I wanted to stop taking my class just to do a 20 min run.

When I woke this morning I wasn't quite sure what to do about that. I could skip training today and get back to a SuTTH schedule, but then I would only have 2 days of training this week. (That would suck.) Or I could skip my class today. (But Wed is my FAVORITE class.) Or I could be a martyr and try to do them both. Since my unofficial motto has always been, "Anything worth doing is worth overdoing" I, of course, opted to do both.

My hour long aerobics class went well, and I skipped out on the cool down to head to the treadmill. I was a bit concerned about how this was going to work out, but I gave myself permission to stop if I started to feel like it was too much. After all, I could always train Thursday and Saturday this week. When I climbed on the treadmill and cranked it up, I was surprised. This was pretty good. Somewhat easy even.

Around the 10 min mark, I started to feel like it was easier on my body to be running than walking. My lungs and heart weren't in agreement, but I definitely felt my legs less when I was running than walking. Funnily enough, I even had to bump up the speed I usually run at. Normally, my walking and running speeds are not separated by much, but around the 12-13 min mark, I started to realize that I was trending toward slower walking times and faster running than usual. It was an odd phenomenon. By the last interval though, I was gasping like a just hooked trout. My body felt a little buzzy and good, but my lungs were sucking wind and my face must have been a sight because 2 people stopped to ask if I was ok. (Love the pale Nordic genes that allow me to turn raspberry in the face as soon as I have any exertion. )

I walked out of the club feeling high. I guess that is the endorphins that people talk about sometimes, but I am not sure I have ever felt them quite like this. My muscles were tired and I didn't appreciate having to squat down to pick things off the ground, but I felt good. Really good. The big question will be if I am still feeling good tomorrow, or if all my muscles will have seized up from the punishment I put them through today. Only time will tell.