Marathon Workouts: Break-Through Week

So this week I felt realy great about my running. I asked for and got some new workout gear for Christmas, with the intent of running outside more, even though I never really got into outdoor running before because: it rains a lot here and I am not found of going out into the elements, I used to get sick often and be very ill far from home, there are a lot of weirdos out there, and lastly, because it is difficult! However, I just finished an outside 3 mile run with Bella-No problem. She is seen above in a moment of repose. It felt great, even though it is pouring down rain here and not very warm. We do not spend enough time exercising our dogs and I felt really bad about it this week so I vowed to take many of my runs outside so that I could give our dogs a great workout, we could bond and so that I could catch some of their contagious and undying enthusiasm and motivation. There are some other things I would like to bring up this week as well:
Moving your workout outside.
Adding miles.
Terrain.

By moving your workout out of doors you can get a newfound motivation, especially if you have a canine counterpart. In addition, you can get some fresh air, beat the humdrum of the treadmill (I love mine but sometimes it is downright mindnumbing), and get a better workout. By running on roads you don't get the extra help the treadmill gives you and you get more hills and varied terrain. By running on trails, you help your joints by the softer surface and you have even more uneven ground which causes your muscles to work more and burn more calories. Lastly, by running cross-country, where you run on grass, rocks and various plants, you further increase the interest factor (you'll see something new each time) and up the calorie burn. As for adding miles, I really feel like I broke through the past few days. I have been adding 1/2 mile each run until last night, when I pushed myself to run 4.5 miles-1 mile more than my last run! I suggest starting even slower, with whatever is comfortable and manageable for you. Your body can do more than you think, though!

Here are my workouts:

Monday: rest.
Tuesday: rest.
Wednesday: 51 minutes Cardio Sculpt Fusion DVD by the Firm. (On a combo DVD-click here to read my review.) Very low impact blend of Pilates, Weight training and yoga.
Thursday: 45 minutes Yoga Shakti; 45 minutes Cardio Dance Fusion by the Firm-the funnest workout tape/DVD I have done; AND 45 minutes Burn & Sculpt by the Firm (same combo DVD as above).
Friday: rest-I was sore!
Saturday: rest. Stomach was upset.
Sunday: Ran 4.52 miles no stops in 52:15 for a total of 4.8 at 59:00.
Monday: Ran 3 miles with Bella, outside without stopping, about 30 minutes or so.