Let the Training Begin

I'm officially entered in a Half Marathon for this year.  March 13th!  The only one I did last year is on this same weekend, however I have decided that I'm going to try a different race that is hosted by a company that I much prefer over the other one.  It's an inaugural race, but the race hosts have put on many, many successful races so it should be fine. 

It's kind of exciting because part of the race will be run over a new bridge that was completed just over a year ago.  The bridge itself is about 2.5 km long and the route takes you over and back, so 5K of the race will be on that bridge.  Pretty cool.  Should be quite the views!

I was thinking that concentrated training should probably start soon.  While I have trained for a half before without a real plan, I have some pretty specific time goals I want to shoot for this year.  So, I started searching for some training plan ideas and came across this Half Marathon Training Plan from Runner's World.

It's a 9 week plan ... and whatda ya know .... the race is exactly 9 weeks away.  Destiny!  Looking at it, I think it's something that I can easily fit into my life and will give me some guidance and push me towards that time I'm seeking.  I like the idea of the speedwork involved.

The only change I intend to make is the distance of the long runs.  Personally, I prefer to run at least the full distance before a race.  This plan only takes you up to 11-12 miles.  I have a decent mileage base and am very comfortable running the longer distances.  Therefore, all the long runs will be increased by 2-3 miles.

This weekend didn't go quite as planned.  Saturday I got P.O.'ed at my daughter's soccer coach (jerk!) and spent a good part of the day composing my thoughts so I could send him an e-mail.  Don't piss off the Momma Bear!  In retrospect I should have gone for a run because that's the best way to think clearly.  Anyhow, by the time I was done, the weather turned kinda ugly and the daylight was running out. 

Sunday morning started out with a little excitement as the temperatures dropped and the roads were icy and we got a dusting of snow.  Two vehicles crashed in the intersection down the road from me and an air ambulance was brought in for one person.  I sure hope they are OK.  I had plans to go out for a morning run, but was a little apprehensive to drive until it warmed up a bit.  The roads were s-l-i-c-k!  I spent most of the day in major house cleaning mode, which feels so much better to have a clean house.  Late afternoon I decided to squeeze in a run but got halfway down the driveway and my niblets were freezing off and the wind was howling through every layer of clothing.  I decided that this just would not be an enjoyable run and returned to the house.  Later that evening though I did hit up the treadmill (not a dreadmill today because it's times like this that I have alot of love for that baby).  Did 5 x 1 mile intervals with weights between sets and negative splits on each mile.  I'm getting my speed back - YAY!!!!  The last mile was run at a 7:39 pace!  YIPPEE!!!  I haven't even been able to run that fast for even a quarter mile in quite some time. 

• Mile 1 - 9:14
• Mile 2 - 8:58
• Mile 3 - 8:41
• Mile 4 - 8:27
• Mile 5 - 7:39

TOTAL 42:59 - Average 8:36/mile

That makes me happy!

Tonight I have another stretchy appointment (massage therapy).  Hopefully it's my last one.  I've been a good patient and have done my stretches almost every day.

Today is officially Day 1 of the training .... and it's a rest day.  How appropriate. :)

Keep Active!

Heidi

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