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    KRISZTA11   32,913
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The Magic Mile & my 1 year of running

Friday, September 14, 2012

I ran my Magic Mile during my Tuesday run.
Shortly: warm up properly, run one mile with effort but not all out, warm down.
My Magic Mile was 9:17 min,
which correlates well with my 5K time of 9:39min/mile (supposed to be MM+30 sec)

This is Jeff Galloway's method, and there is a description of this,
and prediction formula to determine pace for 5K, 10K, HM and marathon based on Magic Mile pace:
www.jeffgalloway.com/res
ources/gallracepredict.html


I recommend this to new runners,
because I believe finding the right pace is the key to love running.
Running too fast may lead to exhaustion and demotivation.

I started to run a year ago, a few days before I reached my goal weight.
Until then I only did strength training and stationary biking every morning, and I realized I could do something more.
On the same day the Trick or Treat 5K popped up on my start page and I thought I'd give it a try.
Followed the link, registered for the virtual race, started the 5K Your Way training, but in my heart I doubted I could do 5K in just 5 weeks.
I thought it would be a fantastic achievement as I always hated running, huffing and puffing and feeling clumsy and wimpy.
So this time I didn't care about speed, didn't set any time goals, only wanted to be able to run 5K.
I jogged slowly, comfortably and what a surprise - I enjoyed it!

At the end of Week 5 I did my 5K in 38:30 and continued to run 3-4 times every week, because it made me feel good.
Almost all runners passed me.
SP Fitness Tracker did not recognize my efforts as Running: under 12 min/mile my workout only qualified as Walking, and several weeks passed before I managed to go faster than that.
Winter came, I bought winter running gear and continued running 4 times a week.
I always ran outside, laps around a park or on hiking trails on a hill nearby - never once on a treadmill.
Seeing the predawn sky and the winter sun always cheered me up, and it was easier to tolerate dark evenings...
Spring was good, but summer was my least favorite season for running. The heat made me shorten my runs but I kept running anyway.

During all this time, I never pushed myself to run faster than comfortable.
Perhaps because of fear of quitting if I pushed too hard.
But still, those 4 runs every week made me stronger: I started at 13 min/mile and now I'm around 10 min/mile.
Autumn is here again so temperatures are pleasant again, and I'm looking forward to snowy winter runs.
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  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

WILLITWORK1 9/22/2012 10:54AM

    way to go!!!!!!!!!!!

You are an inspiration!

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FITFORMYFAMILY 9/17/2012 10:16PM

    I can't even picture you *not* loving running! I am so used to you as a runner that's it hard for me to even imagine pre-runner Kriszta! I love the way that you've stuck with it for so long and allowed yourself to improve in a way that's been comfortable for your body. If I could keep up a 10-minute pace one year from now, I would be thrilled. I should follow your example!

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TEMPEST272002 9/15/2012 4:21PM

    Thanks for sharing the link and your personal experience with us. I look up to you as one of my running role models and it is encouraging for me to see that you started slow but steady and have been able to improve so much through consistent effort.

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MOBYCARP 9/14/2012 9:00PM

    emoticon
A year of running consistently is a great achievement!

Like you, I'm looking forward to running in the colder weather. Unlike you, I haven't been able to keep it up for a full year. Maybe 2013 will be the year for me.

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TRACYNOTGIVINUP 9/14/2012 5:19PM

    Great blog and I am going to look into this system as well. There are days that I feel I push myself too hard and right now I am doing 5 mile runs, but next year will be training for a half marathon and I really want to succeed. Thanks for the advice. Have a great night.


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LIVE2RUN4LIFE 9/14/2012 3:06PM

    emoticon

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STRIVERONE 9/14/2012 2:57PM

    I used the Jeff's predictor this spring. It was only off by 27 seconds for my 1st half marathon. I was amazed at the accuracy considering how many variables are involved.

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SERENITYB4INSAN 9/14/2012 2:47PM

    What a huge inspiration to start running.

As you said I have never started thinking that for more than a block I'll get winded and look weak and hate failing.

But who says you have to start out fast. If we could all run 8 minute miles then what we would be working towards.

Thanks for the thought for a day.

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