Couch to 5k W7D1 Are you kidding me? 7?

Bam! Did Week 7 Day 1. Getting hardcore.

I exploded during the first 8 minutes. Last time I ran 11.16 miles/minute. This time 11.36 miles/minute. Probably a poor idea to explode. Of course, this is within my experimental accuracy (aleatoric uncertainty) and the aforementioned pedometer (epistemic uncertainty).

I finished the 25 minute run with a lot of pain. I set out at the end of Week 6 to find out my best possible mile time (within reason). I never got around to such an activity. I've been nursing a tiny toe that has developed either a blister or athlete's foot. It itches like hell, and if John Madden ever taught me anything-BOOM TOUGH ACTIN' TINACTIN. It even glows red, becomes tesselated in a TRON-like environment, and catches fire, JUST like in the commercials. It hurts but it itches/is extremely satisfying when it is scratched to hell. So I put a band-aid on it. Problem solved, still hurts when I walk (because it's between/under my toe!). So I ran with this impediment (LITERALLY).

Then I experienced a worse pain. I don't know how this was possible considering my toe hurt every other step (because I consistently take steps with the other foot). My shins were shot. They hurt so much tonight it was amazing that I didn't quit after 5 minutes. They even hurt during my cool down walk.

There is a lesson here. The closer you get to the end of the program, the less you should change the parameters. Running five minutes extra for W6D3 was cute but it was also foolish. This program doesn't recommend that time until 2 weeks later. I'm not even going to 30 minutes in week 8, I'm going to 28 minutes. There's a reason. I picked up athlete's foot (likely because of wearing socks to sleep after a run where I was exhausted [ROOT CAUSE]). I had massive shin pains. Don't deviate from the plan unless you really feel like you're being held back, not because you feel like you can do more. You will do more next run (speed not distance).

Also, eat well. I've noticed that my performance would be improved if I ate better. I'm eating garbage off and on. Not sodas, not cakes or cookies (well...some cookies), but snacks, buttery foods, etc. I'm trying to drink plenty of water. I'm eating pizza, which is terrible. I have a lot of food in my fridge so it's the worst time! The great thing is that I'm not a runaway train. I've caught myself numerous times and I'm always watching my calories, especially when I go over. So it's a game of constant observation and corrective action (with sensible allocation for occasional tea & cookies).

Next run should be Tuesday. Hopefully my toe will heal because I've isolated the little bastard from spreading to the rest of my toes and I am washing my feet every time I remove my socks. Washing feet (even my own) is a really weird feeling but oddly satisfying.

Speaking of extremities with high keratin content, I'm going to get a manicure this week. I'm very excited about this opportunity to make my hands look fabulous.

Till' next day I decide to run regardless of the pain...