Loving My Training Partner - Garmin

Sunday, I gave speedwork a try. Is that even the right word, "try"? Hmmm...whatever. I ran my ass off in my own little mind. I started out with a nice one mile warm-up followed by 4x400m intervals. I "tried" to go a little faster than 10k pace and I felt good about my four intervals. I hit each one around 2:02-2:04. Might sound slow to you, but I was buzzed about it. I'd like to break two minutes, obviously, but for my first venturing this year, I'll take it and build off of it. I couldn't believe how heavy the legs felt on the first one, how good the legs felt on 2 and 3, and how 4 couldn't come soon enough?! Boy, have I missed that feeling! I have a 10k coming up in 30 days and I'm hoping to hit a 9:30 pace so I can finish sub one hour. I finished my speed workout by logging in another 2 miles post-speedwork and kept a 9:40-9:50 pace.

What I'm really loving is the focus that Garmin gives. Before, I would log in 11-ish minute miles and feel good, thinking (sometimes foolishly) that I could run 10-minute miles during races. I love the instant feedback that Garmin gives me and I'm finding I'm getting more and more competitive while training. I actually get a little bothered when I go over 10s. I'm also finding out that keeping below 10 is not overly exerting me, which I think means it's where I should be. Garmin's also driving me nuts because I can't end a workout on 3.99 miles. Are you f-ing kidding me, I've got to end on an even 4. *sigh*

Today's guilty pleasure: Easter candy. Today, I sampled a mini Reese egg (not the normal, yummy-sized egg), a Starburst, and a hershey's kiss in the pastel wrapper. If Peeps were within striking distance, I would have ravished through them as well. Love me some Easter candy!

On a final note, Way to Go Elizabeth on your Boston Marathon finish!

My Newest Addiction: Garmin

I know! I am so late to the party! I must be that kid that always got the new shoes half-way through the school year! For my birthday (yes, in February), my family presented me with a lovely package to open - the Garmin 305. I finally took the time yesterday during my lunch hour to read the instructions. I know...you're wavering between "she's so inconsiderate not to appreciate a gift RIGHT AWAY" while at the same time thinking, "Yeah, I get that. I'm super swamped, too. Who has time for reading directions?!" Now, whoever designed the instruction package for Garmin must have been someone who already had an understanding of parts and widgets and whatnot. Remembering that I had stumbled across this blog, and remembering that he had done product reviews, I immediately pulled him up on my trusty little computer (the one thing I actually know how to operate). Complete with pictures and idiot-proof instructions, the DC Rainmaker walked me through my Garmin 305. Today, with the weather absolutely beautiful at 50+ degrees, sunshine and little to no wind, I set off to locate those satellites. My gosh, I'm addicted. I was a running fool out there, I tell ya! I kept looking to see what my pace was and I actually got pissed when it registered a number I didn't like. This is exactly what I needed to take my running to the next level - you know the level - the one where you finish in the MIDDLE THIRD of the pack! Who knows, with Garmy by my side, I might just finish in the top 25 (of my age group, at a small race)!

Today's guilty pleasure: driving with my sunroof open! Who knew that would turn out to be so pleasurable. That's what living in northern Ohio with 6 months of winter will do to you - make you grateful to use that one car option!

If you have any inside information, tips or tricks that you love about your Garmin, fire them off to me. I'm looking forward to being able to do more than just "pace" myself!