My training schedule!

Here is my training schedule from now until the race: I found this offline and really didn't know what to look for when searching! As I said, I have been running for about twelve years. However, I usually do a 5 mile loop where I walk down my street in the beginning and end so about 4.25-4.5 miles I would say is spent running. This is the first time I have attempted a longer race, so in some ways I am a beginner, but not a beginner to running. I found this race schedule on About.com.

This was the "description" that I thought would fit where I was as a runner...

You've already run at least one half-marathon (13.1 miles) road race, or you've done a 5K or a 10K and you're ready to race a half-marathon. If the beginner runner half-marathon schedule seems too easy or the intermediate half-marathon schedule seems too challenging, try this 12-week advanced beginner half-marathon schedule. This schedule is geared toward runners who can run 4 miles comfortably and can run 4 to 5 days per week.

Training Schedule: I started at week 3 since I only had 9 weeks.

Looking back, I probably could have attempted the intermediate half-marathon schedule. Actually, maybe I take a look at this and try a few of the things.

Anyways, I learned a lot about how I train from this article. For example:

1. It was great to read that I should allow myself to take "REST" days without feeling guilty.
2. I learned what a "active recovery day" was, and that it is important to run at a slower pace the days after the race to loosen your muscles.

I read in a different article it's good to walk for 5 minutes before and after the race to kind of warm up, so I have been doing that as well. Also, I try a variety of stretches AFTER I run, which feels great!

What do you do after a long run? Another run!

Although I'm not sore today, my left ankle is kind of bothering me. This started happening when I returned home from Thailand. I am not sure exactly what caused it. I went skydiving in May and when I landed, didn't bend my knees because I was too excited! I landed flat on my ankle straight legs, and it didn't hurt that bad but I have been a little sore in my ankle ever since. Today I wore a ankle brace I bought at Hanson's Running Shop .

After the long runs, my training schedule says you are supposed to do a shorter run at a EZ pace. I usually do these on the treadmill at the speed of 5.5-6.0 but I think today I am going to do my 4 EZ miles on the track. 

Since I am also trying to incorporate strength training I am going to go to a Trifecta class tonight at my local gym. It's twenty minutes of step, twenty minutes of another type of cardio and finishes with twenty minutes of muscle conditioning. I should probably be attending more Sculpt or Body Sculpting classes, however I really enjoy the Trifecta one and believe the chances of me going are better if I actually enjoy my time there!

As for food consumption today, I have been trying to watch my "sugar" intake. My goal is not so much be on a diet, rather watch what I eat and eat it moderately so I can eat everything in portions! 

I ate greek yogurt with blueberries for breakfast at around 6:50 AM, a clementine at 9:00 AM, and a chicken sandwich, iced tea, slice of mango and a few grapes at 11:45 AM. I will update this post in a few hours when I get home from the gym. I am going to take a nap now!

UPDATE: 8:29 PM

I went to the gym around 6:15ish. I ate dinner around 5, which is a little earlier than I like to but I knew I had to run and didn't want to leave too late. I joined a seven day free membership at the local Bally's by my house, mainly just to use the track for the week and get off the treadmill. I got there and didn't have my license or any kind of ID so they almost didn't even let me in, ugh. Finally they did and I started my run at 6:36 PM and REALLY took advantage of the EZ next to the 4 miles. 

I ran my 4 miles today in 43 min 31 seconds

It was definitely a relaxed run. After the run I did about 25 minutes of 8 lb free weights and abs. I did a few lunges as well. I don't know why I dislike free weights so much, I think I'm just bored when I do it. My goal will be to go online and print out a few different things I can do. When I find them I will post them.

I wore my lululemon "Relaxed Fit Crop II"  which are $86 online, however I bought them on sale for $24 in the store! I own them in static charcoal/ very violet.  These are not really running pants, and I wouldn't really recommend them for running either. The bottoms kind of swish back and forth when I ran and it was a little annoying, even though I was going at such a relaxed pace. I wore a old yellow Victoria Secret mesh shirt and a Pantagonia Women's Capilene 2 Zip-Neck shirt. I actually got this for free off moosejawrewards.com after earning points for buying a Northface jacket and backpack. 

Pantagonia Capilene 2 Zip-Neck Shirt

Lululemon Relaxed Fit Crop II

I really like the Pantagonia top. Here is the description:

The Women's Capilene 2 Zip-Neck Shirt by Patagonia bears the open, highly breathable knit and feathery weight of Capilene 2 which affords unhindered airflow, excellent wicking for endurance activities in warm to moderate temperatures--it's also our fastest-drying Capilene. Because of its low-bulk design and streamlined fit, Capilene 2 also acts an excellent layering piece beneath Capilene 3 or 4 during colder weather. The curvilinear construction provides an updated, fast-forward fit, with seams that won't chafe under a pack or climbing sling. Made of quick-wicking, fast-drying 54% post-consumer recycled (and 100% recyclable) Capilene 2 polyester, with Gladiodor natural odor control. 

We are supposed to have a snow storm Wednesday! I was going to take tomorrow a rest day, but I am going to reconsider that and switch it to Wednesday... If I don't have to go to work, there's no way I'm heading to the gym! Instead I'll run my 5 mile run tomorrow at a "comfortable pace", meaning definitely not 10-11 minute miles but probably around 9 or less. 

For dinner tonight I had pasta sauce (no noodles, I'm weird), 2 turkey meatballs and a salad with avocado, tomato and mango. When I got home from the gym I had an apple!

What to do if we have a snowstorm?  

Training

I have been training for my first half marathon since December 27. I was sick last weekend, so did not train from Thursday January 20- Thursday January 27.

I will start with my run today! I have never been a winter runner, mainly because I dislike (or thought I did) the treadmill. I was wrong! I joined a local gym, and have been doing my runs on the treadmill, even the long ones. Today, however I ran my 8 mile run on a track. I am doing this run with a friend and she prefers running on a track so I decided to give it a try. I was apprehensive at first about the thought of running in circles, but to my surprise it was a a great change from the treadmill. It was a small track, 12 laps=1 mile, however I had my best run yet! I love my nikeplus SportBand, because it keeps track of my pace, miles, and every past run. There is a chip that goes in my shoe, and it corresponds to the watch. I know there are a lot of programs for your ipod as well, however I wear my ipod on my arm so the watch is easier to keep track of the pace and distance. I own this watch in grey and yellow, and it was $59 for both at Nike.

Today I ran 8 miles in 1 hr 10 min 00 sec. 


I bought my running shoes at Hanson's Running Shop in Grosse Pointe, Michigan. I brought a old pair of shoes in and the running pro was able to look at my stride and pick out a few pairs he thought would fit my feet. I have always liked Nike running shoes, so I went for the Nike Zoom Structure Triax+ 14 Women's Running Shoe. They were $100 and I bought the Metallic Silver/Black-Wineberry-Dark Grey combination. I just checked online for them, and there is a new color that wasn't available when I purchased mine, which is Dark Grey/Vibrant Blue-Lime-Anthracite. I guess I'll just have to run 500 miles quickly in these so I can purchase another pair! (I believe that is what the running pro told me should be the limit of miles before switching). I can't recommend these to you, because I truly believe you need to be fitted for your own shoe, however here is the shoe I am currently running in on Nike.com. 

I started running in high school. I joined the cross country team with a few friends as a freshman, mainly because I never played sports and wanted to do something active. I didn't love cross country, or running until maybe the end of my sophomore year. I was never a top runner, or never really tried, but I believe cross country was the start of a relationship with running that has lasted with me the last twelve years.

I am by no means a pro, and not pretending to be. In fact this is my first half marathon, which is why I thought it would be fun to start this blog! I have ran a few 5k and 10k's in the past, however never attempted a half.

My goal with this blog will be to track my progress, sign up for different runs, and try to incorporate strength training and other workouts to not get burnt out. I have always been active, but it's always been hard for me to lose weight and keep it off.

I always used to run in old gym shorts, dance pants and t-shirts. However I recently started spending the extra money and buying actual running clothes, and I do believe it makes a difference. I feel dry during the runs, which is a plus. I will also try to update the blog with new purchases, running outfits, etc.!

My favorite items currently include:

The Run: Inspire Crop in all black from lululemon.

For long runs however, I do prefer to run in shorts and I really like the Run: Speed Short from lululemon. I own them in this orange strip combination!

Well, it's Sunday night and I have to wake up for a long work week. Goodnight!