Weeks 1 & 2

So I'm using a "beginner" training program. It calls for one moderate-pace run (I try to make these more challenging by doing lots of hills), one easy-pace run, and one long conversational run per week. The other days are cross-train days, and one rest day per week. Hence the "moderate", "easy", and "conversational" interspersed below.

Week 1 (March 1-7): It was still snowing, with those 5-foot brown ice piles everywhere, and black ice on the sidewalks. Running outside was not an option.

• Mar 2: 35min moderate - ~3.5mi on hill mode on the treadmill, max incline 5.0 and max speed 6.5. Also walked 2.5 miles to the hospital in the morning
• Mar 3: 25min elliptical, arms #1, stretch
• Mar 4: 40min easy - 3.7 at 1.0 incline on treadmill
• Mar 6: Bob (~25min) + 25min Pilates

Week 2 (March 8-14): The sun came out and the snow started to melt! It was my first time running outside in 2010 and it was glor-i-us.

• Mar 8: 6mi conversational - ~60min from Squirrel Hill to Oakland, back through Shadyside. Was incredibly proud of myself for not stopping at all, including on the big hill during the last mile.
  
• Mar 9: 40min moderate - 4.2mi hilly run through Squirrel Hill
• Mar 10: 20min Pilates + Jillian level 2
• Mar 11: 40min easy - 3.9mi run through Squirrel Hill (hillier and therefore not as "easy" as I had planned for)
• Mar 12: 30min Bob
• Mar 13: In Philly - walked a TON + danced the night away :)
• Mar 14: In Philly - 7mi conversational - ~110min up to the museum, back through Penn
  

The run in Philly was fantastic! Scenic, flat, well-paced (with a good amount of walking and a detour through the Penn Bookstore)... Running in a pack definitely makes it seem faster and funner!

I've definitely been hungrier since my weekly mileage has shot up from maybe 4mi per week to over 15. I've been trying to eat healthy at home, but going out with friends over the weekend (not to mention a food-fest in Philly) definitely negates all this hard work.

Meh. Food is good. Life is good.