Time flies when you're having fun... and it also flies when you are checking off the workouts day by day on the 12 week intermediate half marathon training plan. 3 more workouts this week, then just 2 weeks until the big day. The first of the 3 spring half marathons I am signed up for. I ran a practice 13.1 on Saturday, and I completed it in 2 hours and 16 minutes, 2 minutes faster than the half I ran in the fall. I ran on the levee in Chesterfield, which is flatter than the course will be in downtown St. Louis, but I think in a race I will increase my pace. Sunday I ran a 5 mile easy recovery. I also ran an "easy" 5 miles yesterday, but it didn't feel that easy when it was 86 degrees outside. Today, the temp also said 86 in the sun, but there was a bit of a breeze and by mostly staying on the shaded side of the streets, it didn't seem as bad as yesterday. Today I worked on my pace, and kept my pace under 10 minutes per mile, except for the first mile when I was warming up. It felt good to keep my pace under 10 minutes per mile with the afternoon heat, because I know I am capable of keeping that pace. I ran for 45 minutes, which was just over 4.5 miles. My goal for the half is to try to keep at 10 minute miles, or as close as I can. Dave thinks I can do it. I think I can if I hold myself back at the beginning and don't take off too fast. Also if the weather is right:)
I am 2 pounds away from hitting my goal of losing 50 pounds. It has been almost 15 months since I started the process of losing weight and getting in shape. I am hoping to hit the 50 pound mark by the date of the half! Happy Running!
Wednesday, March 28, 2012
Thursday, March 22, 2012
Training Week 9
Week 9 of training for the first of my 3 spring half marathons. Hard to believe the first of the 3 half marathons if just about 3 weeks away. I find that I think about my running a lot. I'm always looking at the Fleet Feet and Big River Running race calendars to see what races are coming up. I read the entire Runner's World magazine as soon as it arrives each month. I find my relationships with some of my non-running family, friends and, coworkers slipping as my relationships grow with my family, friends, and coworkers who run. I guess this is normal as interests change. As I have started to think of myself as "a runner" as opposed to just "someone who runs", I have noticed my whole lifestyle and outlook on life changing, too.
My husband has a running related injury (the doc thinks a muscle tear) and has not been able to run for about 3 weeks now. It has made him grumpy and angry at times. Each week he goes out and tries again to run, only to return more frustrated. He is fearful that he won't be able to run in time to complete the April half. I feel a little guilty after each run, because I know he wishes he could be going out for his run, too. He has been biking, walking, and doing the P90X videos hoping this will keep him fit enough to jump back into the running as quickly as possible once he is healed.
Last weekend I had a scare myself that I would be injured. During a 10 mile run, I turned on a golf course trail to take a path that would circle me back to my mom. The trail was a bumpy black top surface. It had been raining lightly during some of our run, and there were puddles and muddy places on the trails due to rain the night before, as well. As I was almost to mile 8 taking this side trail, I slipped and skidded on my knee, hand and elbow. In my head I was screaming, "NO!", because I was fearful of a serious injury that would mess up my training. I sat back up and looked around first to see if anyone had noticed my fall. I grabbed the water bottle that had fallen out and put it back in my belt. I then hopped up and walked up the small hillside back to the main road and resumed my running. I ran the last 2 miles at a faster pace than the rest of my run as my knee, hand and elbow were scraped and bleeding. I felt like a real warrior! :) The scrapes are still healing on my knee, hand and elbow, but at least it was all surface wounds and I have been able to stay on track with my training.
It really heated up the last two weeks. It feels a little harder to keep a faster pace with the temp in the upper 70's and into the 80's. Today was nice because it was back in the upper 50's when I went out for my run.
Went shopping last weekend and was so excited to need a size 8. I ended up with a few things in a size 10, but many in a size 8! Oh, happy day! The running is paying off!
My husband has a running related injury (the doc thinks a muscle tear) and has not been able to run for about 3 weeks now. It has made him grumpy and angry at times. Each week he goes out and tries again to run, only to return more frustrated. He is fearful that he won't be able to run in time to complete the April half. I feel a little guilty after each run, because I know he wishes he could be going out for his run, too. He has been biking, walking, and doing the P90X videos hoping this will keep him fit enough to jump back into the running as quickly as possible once he is healed.
Last weekend I had a scare myself that I would be injured. During a 10 mile run, I turned on a golf course trail to take a path that would circle me back to my mom. The trail was a bumpy black top surface. It had been raining lightly during some of our run, and there were puddles and muddy places on the trails due to rain the night before, as well. As I was almost to mile 8 taking this side trail, I slipped and skidded on my knee, hand and elbow. In my head I was screaming, "NO!", because I was fearful of a serious injury that would mess up my training. I sat back up and looked around first to see if anyone had noticed my fall. I grabbed the water bottle that had fallen out and put it back in my belt. I then hopped up and walked up the small hillside back to the main road and resumed my running. I ran the last 2 miles at a faster pace than the rest of my run as my knee, hand and elbow were scraped and bleeding. I felt like a real warrior! :) The scrapes are still healing on my knee, hand and elbow, but at least it was all surface wounds and I have been able to stay on track with my training.
It really heated up the last two weeks. It feels a little harder to keep a faster pace with the temp in the upper 70's and into the 80's. Today was nice because it was back in the upper 50's when I went out for my run.
Went shopping last weekend and was so excited to need a size 8. I ended up with a few things in a size 10, but many in a size 8! Oh, happy day! The running is paying off!
Wednesday, March 7, 2012
Continued Training and Another Half
In the month of February I ran a total of 95 miles. This was the most miles I have ran in a month up until this point. I know there are elite runners logging that many miles in a week, but I feel strong and healthy knowing I was able to complete this amount of running on top of working and being a wife and mother. I hope I am balancing all of the roles in my life. At times I feel less focused on the other aspects of my life as I focus on training for the half marathons coming up. At other times I feel truly balanced and relaxed now that I am healthier.
I was nervous about keeping up the intermediate schedule of 5 running days per week, but so far it has not felt like a chore most of the time. I have looked forward to my runs most days, or at least not dreaded it. I am at a point where the feeling I have after completing a run makes me look forward to running.
My mom and sister have now decided to attempt their first half. The three of us signed up for a half in June in Grinnell, IA. It should be a fun little road trip, too. My dad and daughter are going to come along and cheer us on, while my husband and son have a boy scout event that weekend. The June have will be my third half of a half a month for three months. I am now scheduled to run a half in April, a half in May and a half in June. We will be travelling in July and early August, then school will resume in August. I'm looking at signing up for a half in October and then either another half or possibly a full in November. Trying to figure out if it will be possible to train on the trip. Also, signed up for a 7K in 2 weeks. That is just for fun.
Time to get ready for work, so I'll have to sign off for now. Loving the beautiful weather that is making it easier to run. The winds have not been so great, but the temperatures have been fabulous!
I was nervous about keeping up the intermediate schedule of 5 running days per week, but so far it has not felt like a chore most of the time. I have looked forward to my runs most days, or at least not dreaded it. I am at a point where the feeling I have after completing a run makes me look forward to running.
My mom and sister have now decided to attempt their first half. The three of us signed up for a half in June in Grinnell, IA. It should be a fun little road trip, too. My dad and daughter are going to come along and cheer us on, while my husband and son have a boy scout event that weekend. The June have will be my third half of a half a month for three months. I am now scheduled to run a half in April, a half in May and a half in June. We will be travelling in July and early August, then school will resume in August. I'm looking at signing up for a half in October and then either another half or possibly a full in November. Trying to figure out if it will be possible to train on the trip. Also, signed up for a 7K in 2 weeks. That is just for fun.
Time to get ready for work, so I'll have to sign off for now. Loving the beautiful weather that is making it easier to run. The winds have not been so great, but the temperatures have been fabulous!
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