And it begins

The half marathon training plan I have chose started with a rest day. Go figure. So really I didn't "start" the running until day two and there was certainly no easing into the program. Run one length? 8K. Last time I ran 8K? Oh right, that was just once, while I was doing my first 10K race two months ago.

Needless to say, I was dreading this run. I expected to be a hyperventilating  mess. Much to my surprise, I got off to a good start. I decided that I would run the length of a song, then take a short walk break, then run the rest of the song, then break. This way my run lengths would be variable and I could hopefully make it through the 8K successfully.

After a short amount of time, I passed a 500m mark - apparently the route I chose is measured - a welcome surprise! Speaking of my route, I used Google Earth to map out a route. I learned that from Clover Point to the end of the Ogden Point breakwater is approximately 4K - perfect for an out-and-back 8K.

My run/walk plan was working well. Before I knew it I was approaching the Ogden Point breakwater. Now just to run along it, turn around, and head back. The first 4K of the run was pretty painless. The remaining 4K would not be so easy. Probably due to my lack of experience running more than 3K at a time, my legs were just not prepared for such a length. I definitely walked more on the way back, but all-in-all I finished the 8K in approximately an hour. Not a good time at all, but at least I completed the run!

When I got home, I felt good. I even felt like I could go to the gym! But, no surprise, a tasty dinner, some quality time with my book, and an early bedtime won out and day two of the half marathon training plan came to a successful end.