Starting week 2 of my training for half marathon

Wednesday, December 28, 2011

My run went well. I was feeling good and had to remind myself that I am using the run/walk technique and it took an effort to walk, but I am glad I did because I felt like I finished the run strong. I have a tendency to start out too fast and get tired and winded at the end of the workout.

The weather was 23 degrees and the wind was not too strong so it was a pleasant time outdoors. Tuesdays and Thursday are the days for the 45 minute run and I am going to compare my distance on the those days just to challenge myself and keep my motivation and focus. I have found that I need to have a set goal for my runs otherwise I have a tendency to get lazy on my runs.

I am still having mixed emotions about going the distance, but as I look at the training schedule, I am telling myself that it is a very doable plan (Jeff Galloway's Disney World's half marathon training program) and the high mileage week is followed by a recovery week. I am not sure where I will do my running on the long run because my normal running route has cornfield and the winter wind may be too cold for me. I am hoping the winter will be mild this year. Last year it was so snowy that I did not run much and worked out at home with dvd's.

I need to take one week at a time and stick with the schedule and eat well. I am eating way too much sugary foods and need to get those out of my diet. My husband and daughter are going to try to cut out the sugary fatty foods starting January 1st - I hope they stick with their plan because it will be so much easier for me if we all have a get healthy eating plan (translate that to "no more junk food")

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

JENN03275 12/28/2011 5:49PM

Great job on weeks 2! I agree with RAWORGANICVEGAN, your only as good as the fuel you put in. My husband for example, usually eats very well because that is all that I have around the house. However, with the holidays he ate a lot of garbage and hs runs have suffered for it. I plan on starting to train for a half this year as well. Looking forward to it. I am starting at the gym tomorrow so I can continue running. Its getting too cold for me here to run outside. Keep up the good work!! Report Inappropriate Comment

ORGANIC811LFRV 12/28/2011 5:39PM

Ok dear...a little lecture! Eating crap is bad enough when you don't need anything out of your body except to sleep and scratch yourself and watch TV. But when you tax your body and expect it to perform at the top level it's suicidal. How would your car feel if you put sugar into it's gas tank and expected it to climb a mountain??? Think about it. Do whatever it takes to get your diet clean! Green smoothies first and then a run. You will experience an amazing transformation. Rant done! Hugs Karen Report Inappropriate Comment

SEAJESS 12/28/2011 4:53PM

Hi, I'm just starting my JG training for my first half today. If you use or want to use Runkeeper and would like a virtual training buddy, please add me to your street team. I'm SeaJess there as well. Sounds like you are off to an excellent start and I have NO DOUBT that you will make it. Keep your eyes on the path just in front of you and the finish line will appear on its own. Report Inappropriate Comment

BUCKEYEGAL 12/28/2011 10:27AM

I'm right there with you...week 2! My race is May 5th...when is yours? That's great that your family is on board. Both of my daughters are very athletic and health conscious, and I think we are slowly influencing my husband to jump on the bandwagon! He always comments that he feels better when we eat better. Report Inappropriate Comment

MOM2ALEX2004 12/28/2011 9:49AM

One week at a time is the best way. You'll do great!! Report Inappropriate Comment

MISSLISA1973 12/28/2011 8:00AM

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MASA0606 12/28/2011 5:35AM

I'm excited to see how you do. I have been running 5k races and want to do 10s and eventually do a half marathon but don't even know where to start. I live in Minnesota and feel your pain about the cold and snow. You are inspirational! Report Inappropriate Comment

Week 1 of training completed

Sunday, December 25, 2011

Week one is finished! 15.4 miles with an average pace of 11:34 per mile. I am satisfied with my results. Although I was off by one day, my daughter was sick and I had to take care of my grandson so I missed a run day, but I just switched the days. It is early enough in the plan and so far I normally run more than what the plan is requiring so I am hoping it won't make much difference.

It was a good run, the weather was sunny and about 35 degrees. A light wind, but not too chilly. I do have a hard time running on the gravel roads, it seems they move under my feet so I need to use extra caution.

One week complete and 125 days to go.

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

ORGANIC811LFRV 12/26/2011 7:28AM

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This is wierd for me...

Wednesday, December 14, 2011

I did it! I registered for a half marathon to be run on April 28, 2012. It feels wierd for me, because of the distance - half marathon. Does this mean I am a runner?!

I have done several 5k this summer and was thinking of doing a 10k this spring, but saw this particular race and thought I'd go for it instead. I found a training schedule for the Disney half marathon using the Jeff Galloway's run/walk method; so I think it is doable for me because the mile increases are every other week.

I mapped out my favorite roads so I can plan my routes - Now all what I need is a mild winter

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

JUGE300000 12/17/2011 11:30AM

You can do it. Report Inappropriate Comment

HBOWATCH 12/15/2011 12:25PM

That's great that you found a training schedule and mapped out your route. Report Inappropriate Comment

LIV2RIDE 12/14/2011 9:36PM

Good for you! Report Inappropriate Comment

TRENTDREAMER 12/14/2011 12:15PM

Congrats on registering. The 5K to 13.2 miles is a big jump, but you've got plenty of time to train for it. You can totally do it!!! Best of fortune to you on it! Report Inappropriate Comment

CASSIOEPIA 12/14/2011 9:06AM

you can do it! Report Inappropriate Comment

-EYDIE- 12/14/2011 8:39AM

How exciting! Report Inappropriate Comment

Did I say I was starting over?

Friday, December 09, 2011

Honestly, if I had a dollar for every time I said that, I'd be a millionaire by now.

I seem to have a trend of whenever I say or think that I am going to start a plan and stick with it, I find myself stuffing my face with things I know I shouldn't be eating.

The other day, I bought some caramels to make some caramel apples, however I opened the bag and started to eat them. I left the open bag on the counter and later that day, I decided to finish off the bag. Well, guess what, DH was having his own little demon on his shoulder and took the bag and hid it.

Ok, I admit, we are a pair, in too many ways. Well, that set me off, but I lasted a day. Then I went after the second bag of caramels and I ate and I ate and I ate. Well, you get the picture. Afterwards, I felt sort of sick and thought to myself that was one of the stupidest things I had done in awhile.

Now I am reckoning with the demon and I am determined to start over -- ha ha! Do I dare say it? I need to break the cycle...

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

KELLEEH 12/12/2011 8:23PM

It's a never ending process, isn't it? It's great that it doesn't take you long to get back on track! Report Inappropriate Comment

HBOWATCH 12/10/2011 12:04PM

I can so relate to this since it's happened more than I'd like to admit. Wishing you the best this time. Stay strong. Report Inappropriate Comment

MARTHASPARKS 12/9/2011 9:01PM

A lapse in judgment does not mean you are starting over. A long period of time when you are not taking care of yourself with exercise and nutritious food DOES mean you need to start anew! Report Inappropriate Comment

ORGANIC811LFRV 12/9/2011 8:43PM

Do you think you would have eaten the caramels if you had just drank a green smoothie loaded with tons of nutrition your body craves? LOL I am finding my craving monster has been tossed out on it's a$$! I also am finding that there is more to this great nutrition thing than I ever thought possible. Report Inappropriate Comment

LIV2RIDE 12/9/2011 3:39PM

IBest you can do is pick yourself up and start over. It's not how many times you fall down it's how many times you get back up!! Report Inappropriate Comment

KRISZTA11 12/9/2011 11:42AM

One (or a few) bags of caramel will not hurt you, as long as you stay positive and don't forget about your goals. Report Inappropriate Comment

Life Happens....

Sunday, December 04, 2011

I just read a post about someone who took a detour on losing weight because "life happens". This got me thinking about how many times I have used that as an excuse to eat poorly, not exercise and become downright lazy about doing the things I need to do to be fit and healthy.

"Life Happens" should not be an excuse to let myself go, rather it ought to be the motivation for me to make all the improvements I can so that I can enjoy and/or cope with whatever life deals out to me.

Yeah, life happens, but that is no excuse to let myself go downhill without a fight.

Never give up! Never Give In! I am worth the effort to be healthy and strong!

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

JUGE300000 12/8/2011 7:52AM

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ORGANIC811LFRV 12/5/2011 6:21AM

I so agree with you! Report Inappropriate Comment

ARCHIMEDES2 12/4/2011 3:19PM

Couldn't agree more! Great reminder. Report Inappropriate Comment

MISSLISA1973 12/4/2011 2:29PM

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LIV2RIDE 12/4/2011 9:33AM

I totally agree! Life happens should be a very good reason to get yourself together. Because when you allow yourself to get lazy and let go of those healthy habits life won't happen anymore. Keeping up with the healthy habits help keep your mind off of the stresses of life or whatever situation is giving you grief. Sometimes you need something else to think about other than your troubles. Think instead of healthy recipes you can make, exercise you can fit in to alleviate the stress you may be under, a friend you can reach out to that may also need support or just think about how you can improve the situation. Either way life is all the reason you need to keep up with those healthy habits you have worked so hard to incorporate into your life. Report Inappropriate Comment

EJHEINRICH1 12/4/2011 9:24AM

I agree! Thank you for the reminder! :-) Report Inappropriate Comment