Well, I tried. I really did. I just couldn't do the MAF training, so I have reached a compromise. I am back to Jeff Galloway's run/walk/run method and am trying to slow down my pace. My watch was beeping all the time with my heart rate over the goal. Now it just beeps at 1:30 minutes of running and 30 seconds of walking. Did 8 miles today and it felt fabulous. The weather was perfect at a slightly breezy 60-ish degrees. I was basically alone on the trail and track.
I even wasn't that tired afterwards. I've slowed down considerably since I began trying the MAF. Today felt like it has been beneficial. My 'magic mile' (Jeff's one mile test) was 10:23 min/mi about 3 weeks ago. I am supposed to train at about a 15 minute mile pace. I can't. I mean, I can't run that slow. I am so slow now, but even very slow jogging, and walking every 30 seconds, my pace has been around 14. Today, I tried to keep it slow, but basically just ran by feel. It felt so good. My pace ended up about 13:30. Faster than he recommends but maybe I am getting stronger and faster! Slowing down enables me to run farther and supposedly that builds endurance. I hope to do another magic mile test later this week.
Today was a day when I felt like an athlete. Strong, fit, and very thankful I can do this.