Since joining the gym several weeks ago, I've been power-walking 3 miles on the treadmill 4-5 times a week.  After a personal training session with one of the gym's trainers, I added weight training for my "active recovery" days--days that I'm not training for the race, but still getting a workout.  So now, I power-walk three days a week, then lift weights the other three; on the 7th day I rest, a Fitness Sabbath, so to speak.

This past Saturday was our first training run with the running group I signed up with.  Our coach recommended that first timers/walkers alternate running with walking—take it slow.  Since I was bringing up the rear in the group of 20 or so runners, I naturally connected with another woman who was following the coach’s advice.  She asked if I would like to join her, and I readily agreed.

The trail was brutal—for me anyway—as I’ve only walked on a 0% incline thus far.  I had only been in a climate-controlled environment too, so the harsh wind and cold temperatures were a battle themselves. I had wisely dressed in layers and was able to peel away clothing as I warmed up.

My new friend had on a GPS watch that automatically beeped at one-minute and three-minute intervals, signaling when we should walk and jog, respectively.  Initially, I wanted to ignore the first walk signal since I felt so good, but remembering the advice from several sources to "go slow," I obeyed the beep.  I'm glad I did because I was able to successfully complete my first training run without collapsing in a heap.

Afterwards as I drove home, I was overcome with elation!  I was so excited that I finished—without injuring myself—that I was on Cloud 9 the rest of the day.  Later in the day, I took some ibuprofen to alleviate some muscle pain, but otherwise, I felt great--especially emotionally!

On Monday, I jogged, without stopping or walking, in my neighborhood.  According to my low-tech pedometer, I covered 2.6 miles in 37 minutes.  Yesterday at the gym, I increased my speed and incline and completed 2 miles in 21 minutes.  Perhaps on Saturday for our next training run, I won't have to walk at all. 

But I’ll be a good girl and obey the beep.