Reality Strikes

Shock
Folks often say i look young for my age, and perhaps it's true... But there is nothing like signing up to train for a marathon with people one and two decades younger to make me understand my age and how out of shape i really am!

May 11th was the kick-off and our first "team" work out was Saturday, May 20th. The week prior I walked/jogged the 2.75 miles from my home, around the reservoir and back again. I know i'm slow, but not concerned. At the first team work out I went 2 miles... was unable to continuously jog the distance and was the last 2 miler to make it back to the start.

Heart Rate
We're instructed to maintain our heart rate between "something" and 85% of maximum. I reach my 85% of maximum by a brisk walk! I'm told it will take any where from 3 to 6 weeks for that to change...

One week after the first "team" work out, I was confident there would be some improvement as I followed the training schedule (run 3 days, cross-train two + the long run on saturdays), lost a few pounds and bought new running shoes and a heart rate monitor.

Reality Strikes
I walked most of the 4 miles and was the last one to return to the start. Maybe a t-shirt saying "last one in" would be appropriate! Nothing like a 15 minute mile (x's 26.2) to motivate me to get in better shape!
Taking it one step at a time...