So yesterday was my first 28 minute run (Week 8, Day 1 of the Couch-to-5K Running Plan), and I ran it outside...

Here's the route: Sunday's Run (click on the "Display Elevation" checkbox on the left-hand side).

I started my run a little before 10 AM yesterday morning, with the temperature in the low 70s and what seemed like pretty high humidity, along with 7-10 mph wind. In short, my time sucked! After walking the first 5 minutes right at a 4 mph pace, I intentionally tried to keep the pace down early, as I am notorious for going out too fast. While on the route, I wasn't sure of the distance covered during the walk, but I estimated it to be around .33 mile, so I calculated the approximate time that I should hit the 1 mile marker if I went at a 6 mph pace--I was a little off, but not too bad. I hoped that I would be able to at least maintain that pace or perhaps pick it up some over the rest of the run, and turn in a decent time. As I continued on to mile marker 2 and 3, I fell further and further off the pace. Actually, I didn't hit mile marker 3 before my time was up (I came up a tenth of a mile short). Here are the stats:

Week 8, Day 1 (5 min walk + 28 min run)

• Distance Covered: 2.9 miles
• Duration: 33:00
• Avg. Speed: 5.27
• Avg. Pace: 11:22

Not an inspiring run. While disappointed, I didn't feel too bad about it after looking at the elevation of the run--the hills definitely killed me. Also, I didn't eat or drink anything prior to my run, which was probably not the best idea. Now, I'd like to get back on the treadmill just to see what I can do in there, but I really think I need to do the rest of my runs outside.