Running; training for an 8k

I have never been a person that enjoys running.  I remember in high school how we would have to do the mile run, and we'd be timed.  It was the cruelest form of punishment, especially since I would be one of the last people to finish.  I was happy if I got under a 13 minute/mile.  There were so many things about it that I couldn't stand.  I couldn't breathe, my muscles would burn, and I'd inevitably get a terrible stitch in my side every single time.

While I still can't say that I enjoy running any more than I did back in high school, I can say that it has gotten somewhat easier and that it's something I want to improve upon.  Why?  All you need to run is your shoes and a little bit of motivation (and preferably an ipod with good music.)  There's gotta be something said about the convenience of it.

I was recently surprised with the realization that the cardio and muscle strength that I had built since the beginning of January with boxing and kickboxing had translated nicely into endurance with running.  Where I couldn't previously complete a simple interval training (running at 6.0x2 min followed by 6.5x1 min was something that I couldn't do...) yet I found myself going above and beyond that.  Now I can run a solid mile at 6.5 (equates to about a 9 min/mile!)

So where does that leave me?  Training for an 8k.  Yes, that same person who couldn't stand running is now training for an 8k.  At first I was a bit overwhelmed by the prospect of it.  It's scheduled for 4/22/2012 which puts it a little under 4 weeks away.  I would actually like to run most of it (if not all) and so I have found myself with the need to train.

I ran across a half marathon training schedule geared towards individuals who can run 2 miles comfortably.  Around the 4 week mark, the training reaches about the length of an 8k.  So after manipulating it a bit to fit my schedule, I have settled on my schedule for training.

Here goes nothing! :)