Time to get real: Training for my first Half Marathon

Finishing my first-ever 10K (The 40th annual Dexter-Ann Arbor Run back on June 2nd) was a mixed bag. On one hand, it was a GREAT accomplishment. A year ago today, I HATED running. I ran/walked one mile in like 14 minutes, and I thought it was miserable torture to run 1 mile, let alone a 5k. I had completed other 5ks in the past few years, but overall I was overweight and overfed!

Fast forward to Sunday, the day of the Dexter-Ann Arbor 10K, and look at me now! I've run FIVE 5ks, one 5 miler, and one 10k race in the past eight months. I was able to run the entire 10k without stopping (minus quick water break jogs @ 2 stations). Hot damn that is some fine progress!!!

The other side of the coin is that I am currently pretty far from being able to run the 13.1 I've signed up for in October. As I crossed the finish line at my first 10k race, in addition to "Woohooo!!", my other thought was "Dang, that wasn't even half of a half marathon!". This is OK- I've worked hard to get to this point, and I know that progress is incremental. But something I was reminded of this weekend is that You can't expect to reach your goals if you don't put in the specific training needed.

For this 10k, I was hoping for a time of 53:00- that was my 'dream' time. BUT I didn't really have a specific plan on how to reach that time until a runner friend from college reached out on facebook about 2 weeks before the race. While I had been running regularly (6-10 miles a week), it just wasn't enough speed work to get me to my goal time.

In the spirit of informed goal setting for the Freep National Half-Marathon, I have three goals.

Goal 1: Finish the Half.
Goal 2: Finish the Half without walking
Goal 3: Finish the Half in under 2:00 hours.

Goal 1 is very achievable now- I know that I'm currently at a fitness level where I could run/walk a half marathon. Goal 2 is something that I need to train specifically for, and right now, Goal 3 is a shot in the dark.

That being said, I'm putting together my training plan so I can be as prepared as possible. I'll share that in the next day or two as I finish it up! I know that regardless of what my first-ever Half Marathon experience is like, it'll be MUCH more rewarding if I feel like I've properly prepped for it!

Motivation Monday- Hoppin' Back on Track

This week I am motivated by thankfulness. I'm thankful for my health, although I've had some pain recently I am still a overall very healthy person. I'm thankful for the support and love of my family and friends. I'm thankful for my awesome job and coworkers that I love. I'm thankful for the hottub at my gym... :) 

I am trying to hop back on track this week, post-injury, with my workout schedule. It's a bit lighter than in past weeks, but still trying to make it to 300 minutes of exercise, not including yoga. I ended up knocking my long run out of the way early this week; I didn't get one in last week (was supposed to do an 8 miler) and I have the Corktown 5k this week so I wanted to get my long run out of the way well before the race. I ended up pulling out 8.5 miles, which is my longest distance to date. I still look back and think about how I used to HATE running- I wasn't able to run 1 mile.

I'm still building up my mileage- I have been running for 10 minutes, pausing the treadmill for about :45 seconds to take a water break, then repeat. I'd like to space out my break intervals eventually but I can do that once I get to 13.1!

Workout Plan for the week of 3/4-

• Monday: Long run 8.5 miles (78 mins)
• Tuesday: StrongLifts & Upperbody weights & Yoga flow class (135 mins)
• Wednesday: Bootcamp class (60 minutes)
• Thursday: Hill reps 3.5 miles (50 mins)
• Friday: Practice 5k  @ race pace (8:30/mile) 3.1 miles (25 mins)
• Saturday: StrongLifts & Upperbody weights (45 mins)
• Sunday: Corktown 5k! (25 mins)

What's keeping you on track this week? :)

Motivation Monday- What Keeps me Running

Today for Motivational Monday, I'm going to share a "Things I Love about Running" list. I'm definitely what you'd consider a new Runner- I've only been running frequently since November, but I'm already hooked!
Here's what keeps me running:

Race Day
Although I do really enjoy training most days, races are what keep me motivated on those dreaded long-run days! It's not so much the "beating other people" (since I'm still a slow-ass runner!) but it's the ability to run with others, as well as the desire to challenge myself and beat my own PR from my last race!

Even signing up for my next race is a motivation- knowing I have a specific event to train for helps me stick to my training schedule; there's a reason I'm working this hard!

Self-Discipline

I enjoy a good challenge, and I am very motivated by overcoming obstacles. Because of this, I really appreciate the self-discipline that running has helped me to develop within myself. Whether it's discipline in making and following a training schedule, discipline in eating healthy and "clean", or the discipline to take a Rest Day when I really just want to train through it, Running has helped me improve as a person.

Gear & Swag 

I'm not a huge shopper, but I DO really like to have clothes that fit me! With the frequent weight loss in the past 5 months, I've got to invest in a lot of new clothes. I do think of it as an investment; if I feel comfortable, supported, and put together, I'm more likely to be successful. That applies to work clothes and business, but also to running & workout gear. I also believe that while you CAN workout in anything, a few key, high-quality pieces, like fitted running shoes, a nice pair of workout gloves, and some cold-weather gear can make a world of difference in your performance. As for swag, who doesn't love a race tee or a finisher's medal or a tech beanie? A souvenir of my hard work is a reward for a job well done :)

Running Community
A great surprise about beginning to run was stumbling upon on supportive community of runners online! When I signed on for the 13 in 2013 challenge where I will be running a race every month (plus an extra one!), I met a lot of supportive folks on the facebook page & on twitter, who have been inspiring, helpful, and encouraging! From affirming that yes, it's possible to go from 5k to Half Marathon in less than a year's time, to sharing stories of their own fitness successes and challenges, it's been great to tap into a network of passionate people!

In an effort to keep myself accountable, here's my workout plan for the week!

Workouts for the week of 2/18-

• Monday: StrongLifts & Lowerbody weights (60 mins)
• Tuesday: Hill Reps Run 4 miles (40 mins)
• Wednesday: StrongLifts & Upperbody weights (60 minutes)
• Thursday: Spinning & Yoga Flow (50 + 75 mins)
• Friday: Easy Run 3.1 miles (30 mins)
• Saturday: StrongLifts & Upperbody weights (60 mins)
• Sunday: Long Run 7.5 miles (70 mins)

What's going to keep you going strong this week?

Find it and make it happen! :)

Motivation Monday

This has been my mantra for the last week since I saw it on greatist.com! 

I really think it's effective for me because it's simple, and direct.
Just breate, damnit! :)

Half-marathon training!!!

 

Push-ups are something I'm pretty good at, but I can always improve.

At my Fit Assessment in December, I did 42 "girly" push-ups in a row! 

Now to work up to 42 standard push-ups. Join me in this challenge!

My motivation for the next several weeks- my March 5k, the CorkTown Race! 

Some of my in-laws are doing this race, and it looks like a lot of fun, 

so I signed myself up. Plus, hubs is in, since there's beer at the end ;) 

Hoping for a PR of under 27 minutes!

Happy Monday, folks- Go out there and GET IT!