Build up to running 3 miles

I already mentioned on my “jog for 20 minutes straight” goal that after that, I’m just going to keep doing 20 and focus more on my diet.

That is only partially true.

Whenever I have more time than just part of a morning before I take off for work or half an hour before I go to bed (i.e. Saturday morning or Sunday afternoon), I’ll start to work up to a 30-minute goal. And keep working upward.

I’m going to ask for a pedometer for my birthday. That way, by the time I start working out with my cousin, or by my birthday (end of April) I’ll know how close to this goal I’ve gotten, just while documenting minutes.

Total minutes run: 55
Longest stretch of time run without stopping: 10 minutes

Since Friday, February 2, I have run 18 minutes total.

Total minutes run: 21 minutes
Longest stretch of time run without stopping: 6 minutes

I think I’m finally ready to start working on this goal. At this stage, I’m going to start by running in place in my room every day, for minute longer increments every day. When my total minutes run make 100, I’ll make another change.

Friday, February 2: – Ran in place for 1 minute
Friday, February 2: – Ran in place for 2 minutes

Total minutes run: 3

Mom says we’ll probably be able to get a treadmill so I can start working on this goal this summer. I have reasons for wanting to run indoors rather than outdoors, at least in the beginning. After that, I’ll really enjoy running outside in the Washington weather!

So, I’m a bit of a wimp. I’m an excellent sprinter, but I can’t run for more than, say, a quarter of a mile. I have absolutely no endurance. Also, my body type is such that if I push it to far (while running) it is not too difficult for me to simply pass out. So, I’ll have to work up to this pretty slowly. This is more of a far-off goal – I have other things I want to accomplish first – but I’m putting it down so i won’t forget it.