Up, down, and up again...

This week was a challenging one for my 5K training. Monday's run was okay. Felt like someone sitting on my chest, but I completed the "assigned" workout. Wednesday didn't go as well. I was supposed to run 10 minutes, walk 5, and then run an additional 10 minutes. I wasn't able to do it. AUUUGGGHHH!!! I ran for 10 minutes feeling like I was dying. Then I walked the 5 minutes and started running again. By 7 minutes, I was near dead. I couldn't breathe, my lungs were burning, I was coughing, my shoulders were extremely tense and I was VERY discouraged. So I stopped and walked. I walked for 3 minutes, and then ran for another couple of minutes. I was very discouraged and disappointed.
I think there were several reasons I was unsuccessful run on Wednesday. First, I thought it would be no problem to run less than 10 minute miles. However, I had had nothing to time my pace. So, my friend Beth loaned me her Garmin Forerunner (if you've got an extra $300 to burn on a tech gizmo, this one is it!!). The Forerunner tracks your heart rate, pace, miles run, and has a timer. So, I made sure that my pace was under 10 minutes. I think that was the major factor. I was running too fast.
So, after talking to my "coach" and number one cheerleader (Thanks, Laura!!) she advised me to slow down to a 10:30 to 10:45 pace. I tried it today and did great. I am back on track with my program. I ran 2.2 miles without stopping. But, the greatest news is that it was easy, fun, and enjoyable. Those are three things I couldn't claim previously. I dare say that I found the "zone" as I wasn't worried about time, how far I'd gone, or what hurt most. I didn't even fiddle around with my iPod during the run.
Needless to say, I'm on a running high today.
Keep me in your prayers for Monday. I am scheduled to run 2.5 miles without stopping. I think I can, I think I can, I think I can...