Training schedule update!

Yesterday I ran 9 miles! Life has been busy and I've gotten a bit off schedule. So having this longer run under my belt gives me some confidence going into my half marathon late next month. This is also the longest distance I've run in over 3 years. I'm a bit sore today, but nothing terrible. I'm getting eager to feel strong on these long runs again.

I also picked up a pedometer over the weekend. I paid about $27 for a small, compact one. The beauty of this is I could just up and run without having to map a course ahead of time. I liked the freedom of running wherever I pleased, but still having the assurance I'd run the distance I'd needed to for the day. I finished the 9 miles in 1:33. Not bad considering the hills. I've really come far in the past 6 months, and I feel good! I still have a ways to go, but I feel I'm headed in the right direction.

This morning I laid out my month's worth of workouts. It's going to mean some serious dedication and effort to get there. Here's what I'm hoping to do:

5/31: No More Trouble Zones (Jillian Michaels' 40 minute workout)
6/1: 5 miles
6/2: Shred workout, Level 2 (Jillian Michaels' 20 minute workout)
6/3: 3 miles
6/4: REST

6/5: 11 miles
6/6: REST
6/7: No More Trouble Zones

6/8: 5 miles

6/9: Shred workout, Level 3
6/10: 3 miles
6/11: REST
6/12: Sound to Narrows or 8 mile run
6/13: REST
6/14: No More Trouble Zones
6/15: 5 miles
6/16: Shred workout, Level 2
6/17: 3 miles
6/18: REST
6/19: 6 miles
6/20: REST
6/21: No More Trouble Zones
6/22: 4 miles
6/23: Shred workout, Level 1
6/24: 2 miles
6/25: REST
6/26: REST
6/27: 13.1 Half Marathon!

I'll keep you posted if I decide to do the Sound to Narrows race.

30 days until my half marathon!

I can't believe it's been so long since I've last posted! If you follow my other blog, you might have noticed I have had a LOT going on! Plus that, my family has been sick the last week or so.

Needless to say, it was definitely time to check in! My half marathon (the Seattle Rock 'n Roll Half Marathon) is exactly one month today. So am I ready? In a word, no.

My longest run to-date has been 8 miles and that was a couple weeks ago. I am definitely behind schedule. My workouts and healthful eating have been erratic, at best. In spite of all the craziness, I'm pleased to say that as of today, I weigh 143 pounds! That is 19 pounds down and only 7 more to go to reach my goal weight!

I was able to head out this morning for a short run. Um, it was bad. REALLY bad. I figure I have two more good weeks of trying to make some fitness gains before I'll need to taper off to avoid injury. Later tonight, I'm going to come up with a 30-day plan to get me to the starting line and across the finish line successfully.

I'll share my plan in the next couple days.

My 8-mile run yesterday: hills, hills, hills

So yesterday I went to run an 8-miler with a few friends. I honestly hadn't worked out all week. It had been sort of a bleh week.

So I supposed I shouldn't have been surprised that my run was also...bleh...

The first mile or so, I kept up with the gals. But shortly thereafter I realized if I wanted to finish the run I needed to slow down. The first 3 miles were mostly downhill, and I just wasn't feeling it. I was feeling it even less when I had to run back UP those 3 miles!

There were moments, maybe around 4 miles and then again at 5 miles, when I felt I had a bit of renewed energy. This might surprise you if you are new to long distance running - but it is entirely possible to start a run feeling mostly crappy, and then suddenly an hour in, feel great! This truly does happen. However, those moments weren't as long enough as I'd hoped.

The last couple miles were pretty brutal, and I found myself hobbling along. I felt really tired and sore towards the end. BUT I kept at it and was able to finish.

This week I plan to get back into a more serious workout schedule and a clean diet. The end of next month is half marathon time, and I have some work cut out for me.

Photo credit Timo Balk