I was so excited last night as I talked with my sister-in-law about the possibility of my running a half marathon with her in 2 months. But, I spent a long, sleepless night... and decided that pushing for a half marathon that quickly would not be in my best interest.
I have read on a lot of sites that you shouldn't run that far until you've been running a year. I don't think I'll wait that long, but I've only been running 3 1/2 months! And, before that I was just sitting... not exercising at all... and I've NEVER been a runner. I'm afraid if I push that hard and fast, I'll get hurt.
We discussed switching states - to near me where I can do a 10K and she can do the half. But, that would involve 'the family' flying down here and getting a hotel for a couple of nights. And, the half and the 10K are actually on different days! So, we've decided that won't work.
So, I've decided to stick with our original plan. I'll be running a 5K in Tulsa while she runs her first Half. I am going to go ahead and start pushing for longer distances, which I'd planned on anyway. My longest run so far is 3.5 miles. This weekend, I plan on running 4 miles. I won't be at the lake house, so my choices are round & round at the park (not very fun, and I too often give up!) or on the streets of my neighborhood (which is more likely, but on cement). Then, I have two 5Ks coming up in the next 3 weeks. So, I'll keep busy running!
I would like to find a 10K to start training for, but haven't found one yet. Then, I'd like to find a half marathon to run - probably in Texas, Oklahoma, or Kansas where I have family. I'm looking at March or April, possibly earlier. I was wanting to do a triathlon in April, but I don't know if I'll find the time to train in all 3 sports. In fact, I just found out my husband will be leaving very early on both Saturday and Sunday this weekend, so I don't know when I'll be able to run my 4 miles THIS weekend... but I'll figure it out.
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
Half Marathon Training Day #1???
I had a great run on the treadmill today. I did my fastest mile ever - 14 mins 17 secs. And, I ran for several minutes at a 13 min 57 sec pace. I ended up doing 2 miles at 14 mins 30 secs. It felt great!!!
So, my sister-in-law is running a half marathon on Nov 21st. I had NO plan on running with her, but I'm starting to wonder... as she's started hinting... (Of course, she did a 10K last month while I just did my first 5K.)
She sent me a great training schedule - but I have several conflicts... for example, I have two 5Ks coming up, and I should be running farther on those days. And, I'm taking my daughter on a trip for 6 days in late October - there will be just the 2 of us in the room, so I can't really leave her.
I'm thinking about just starting the training and seeing how it goes. I do NOT want to hurt myself. And, I know I can run/walk the 13.1 miles... 13.1 miles?!?! That's a LONG way!!!
Oh, my........ what to do....
So, my sister-in-law is running a half marathon on Nov 21st. I had NO plan on running with her, but I'm starting to wonder... as she's started hinting... (Of course, she did a 10K last month while I just did my first 5K.)
She sent me a great training schedule - but I have several conflicts... for example, I have two 5Ks coming up, and I should be running farther on those days. And, I'm taking my daughter on a trip for 6 days in late October - there will be just the 2 of us in the room, so I can't really leave her.
I'm thinking about just starting the training and seeing how it goes. I do NOT want to hurt myself. And, I know I can run/walk the 13.1 miles... 13.1 miles?!?! That's a LONG way!!!
Oh, my........ what to do....
Sunday, September 19, 2010
Getting Faster...Oh, Yeah!
I am getting faster! I've been trying to work on speed by using a faster speed on the treadmill. That's probably part of it. Part of it is also just that I'm getting faster as I'm learning to run and it is part of the process. Anyway, I was thrilled to set a new PR today!
Here are my recent 'big' runs:
3.49 miles in 52 mins 54 secs.....pace 15 mins 10 secs/mile (9/4)
3.49 miles in 52 mins 30 secs...pace 15 mins 2 secs/mile (9/6)
3.1 miles in 46 mins 30 secs....pace 14 mins 57 secs/mile (5K RACE) (9/11)
3.49 miles in 51 mins 19 secs...pace 14 mins 42 secs/mile (9/19)
I won't be at the lake next weekend, and just HOPE I can get a long run in! Then, the next weekend I have my 2nd 5K. I'm hoping to be under 45 minutes. That would be a 14 min 29 sec pace. I think I can do it!!!
Here are my recent 'big' runs:
3.49 miles in 52 mins 54 secs.....pace 15 mins 10 secs/mile (9/4)
3.49 miles in 52 mins 30 secs...pace 15 mins 2 secs/mile (9/6)
3.1 miles in 46 mins 30 secs....pace 14 mins 57 secs/mile (5K RACE) (9/11)
3.49 miles in 51 mins 19 secs...pace 14 mins 42 secs/mile (9/19)
I won't be at the lake next weekend, and just HOPE I can get a long run in! Then, the next weekend I have my 2nd 5K. I'm hoping to be under 45 minutes. That would be a 14 min 29 sec pace. I think I can do it!!!
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
Learning to Like a Treadmill
With school back in session and the sun coming up later each morning, I haven't been able to run outside on the weekdays. So, I am now running on a treadmill (aka dreadmill) every Tuesday. I really haven't been enjoying it much... until today!
I decided to work a little on speed today. So, I warmed up for 5 minutes and then decided to start at about 15 min 30 sec miles and run for 90 seconds. Then, I would walk for 90 seconds then run at the next faster pace.
Well, I did this for several 'levels' and then hit 14 min 17 secs. I was so happy when I completed the 90 seconds and knew I could keep going. So, I went for 4 minutes!
Then I decided this was a nice pace so I let my HR get back down while walking and then started running with a plan of doing another 4 minutes at 14 min 17 secs. At 4 mins, I still felt great and decided I wanted to complete a half a mile at this pace. So, I RAN A HALF MILE AT A 14 MIN 17 SEC mile/min pace! I was thrilled! My usual pace, when I run 3 miles, is only 15 mins 30 secs. And my pace at the 5K this weekend was right at 15 mins. Playing on the treadmill can be fun!
So, my goal next week is to do this again... only I HOPE to run 7 mins 3 times! So, I'll have completed 1.5 miles at a 14 min 17 sec pace. I do know this will be a mental challenge. I've discovered that some of my best runs - when I feel I've accomplished the most - are when I've went above & beyond what I set out to do. For example, if I would have went with the goal of running 7 mins at this pace today, I know I would have thought "I can't do this!" and probably I would NOT have done it. Or, the first time I ran 3 miles, I actually kind of got 'lost' and didn't know I was going that far! Or, again, I probably wouldn't have chosen that route!
I'm glad I found out the treadmill can be fun and I'm looking forward to running on it. It's great to mix my time outdoors & indoors while running!
I decided to work a little on speed today. So, I warmed up for 5 minutes and then decided to start at about 15 min 30 sec miles and run for 90 seconds. Then, I would walk for 90 seconds then run at the next faster pace.
Well, I did this for several 'levels' and then hit 14 min 17 secs. I was so happy when I completed the 90 seconds and knew I could keep going. So, I went for 4 minutes!
Then I decided this was a nice pace so I let my HR get back down while walking and then started running with a plan of doing another 4 minutes at 14 min 17 secs. At 4 mins, I still felt great and decided I wanted to complete a half a mile at this pace. So, I RAN A HALF MILE AT A 14 MIN 17 SEC mile/min pace! I was thrilled! My usual pace, when I run 3 miles, is only 15 mins 30 secs. And my pace at the 5K this weekend was right at 15 mins. Playing on the treadmill can be fun!
So, my goal next week is to do this again... only I HOPE to run 7 mins 3 times! So, I'll have completed 1.5 miles at a 14 min 17 sec pace. I do know this will be a mental challenge. I've discovered that some of my best runs - when I feel I've accomplished the most - are when I've went above & beyond what I set out to do. For example, if I would have went with the goal of running 7 mins at this pace today, I know I would have thought "I can't do this!" and probably I would NOT have done it. Or, the first time I ran 3 miles, I actually kind of got 'lost' and didn't know I was going that far! Or, again, I probably wouldn't have chosen that route!
I'm glad I found out the treadmill can be fun and I'm looking forward to running on it. It's great to mix my time outdoors & indoors while running!
Saturday, September 11, 2010
I Ran My First 5K!!!
I did it! I ran my 'first' 5K!
So, some things I'm proud of:
... I finished!
... I broke a 15 minute mile (yeah!)
... I feel great and will definitely be running again
Some things I wish I would have done differently:
... ran the entire race - I walked a LOT of the last mile, but it was hot (mid-80's) and sunny and my HR was quite a bit above what it usually is
... finished under 45 minutes (I finished in 46 minutes 30 seconds - unofficially - I did complete the actual 3 miles in under 45 minutes! (barely)
This race was at our high school and the band was playing, the cheerleaders cheering, some of the choir sang, and the track team walked. There were about 400 people running and it was neat that the streets I drive on every day were blocked off for us to run on. I did not have any cramping issues (thankfully), though I did have a bit of a stitch in my side for awhile. I was running faster than I've ever ran - just a little bit - so I'm sure this added to it.
I was also disappointed that I was in the 'walkers' area as many people can walk as fast as I can run. It will be nice when I can actually run with the runners!
But, I am happy with myself. I'm glad I ran today and proud of myself for how far I've come in the past 3 months. And, I'm totally ready to run some more! My next race is the Komen Race for the Cure in Houston so it'll be a much bigger race. I'll follow that with the Komen in Dallas which will also be very big. I will just try to keep improving and enjoying myself.
Friday, September 10, 2010
My "First" 5K is TOMORROW!
Well, I have worked HARD to get to this point! I started running on June 3rd with C25K (couch to 5K). At first you have to run 1 minute at a time, and it was so hard!!! When we bumped it up to 3 minutes, I was so proud of myself! I felt like I'd run a marathon - it was that difficult and I was really proud of myself.
I have now been running over 3 miles since August 8th, so for the past month! I am confident I CAN run my 5K tomorrow, though hoping my cramps don't return!
I actually have ran/walked two 5Ks in the past. They were both in 2003 with my brother. At the time, I was exercising pretty regularly, but had not run outside at all and was just trying to run on a treadmill - without a plan and without much success. So, for both 5Ks I just ran until I couldn't run anymore, then walked while I recovered, then ran again! My times were: 49 mins 30 secs and 46 mins. (They were not chip timed, so not exact times, either.) I'm hoping to run in 45 minutes tomorrow, but that'd be a little faster than I've ever done it. For the past few weeks I'm averaging 15 mins 30 secs per mile, though I have run 1 mile in 15 mins.
Another issue... they've lost my bag! One of the organizers is someone I've known for many years. She told me she'd drop my bag off at my house instead of my having to go to one of the pickup places. Well, she put it at the wrong house! (next door) And, they told me they never saw a package! So, this lady is busy getting me a new bib & chip & goody bag... and she's having to get a t-shirt from another organizer as she only has 2XL left. She's supposed to give me a call sometime today for me to come to her house and get it! It does have me a little stressed, but it'll work out.
So, thanks for ALL of your support, fellow SPers! Here I go!!!
I have now been running over 3 miles since August 8th, so for the past month! I am confident I CAN run my 5K tomorrow, though hoping my cramps don't return!
I actually have ran/walked two 5Ks in the past. They were both in 2003 with my brother. At the time, I was exercising pretty regularly, but had not run outside at all and was just trying to run on a treadmill - without a plan and without much success. So, for both 5Ks I just ran until I couldn't run anymore, then walked while I recovered, then ran again! My times were: 49 mins 30 secs and 46 mins. (They were not chip timed, so not exact times, either.) I'm hoping to run in 45 minutes tomorrow, but that'd be a little faster than I've ever done it. For the past few weeks I'm averaging 15 mins 30 secs per mile, though I have run 1 mile in 15 mins.
Another issue... they've lost my bag! One of the organizers is someone I've known for many years. She told me she'd drop my bag off at my house instead of my having to go to one of the pickup places. Well, she put it at the wrong house! (next door) And, they told me they never saw a package! So, this lady is busy getting me a new bib & chip & goody bag... and she's having to get a t-shirt from another organizer as she only has 2XL left. She's supposed to give me a call sometime today for me to come to her house and get it! It does have me a little stressed, but it'll work out.
So, thanks for ALL of your support, fellow SPers! Here I go!!!
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
August Review & September Goals
I have not done very well in a lot of areas this month, but I have still made progress! Here's my monthly review & new goals.
August goals:
1. Run 3x per week - ALMOST MET... 1 week husband was working early and I only got in 2 runs.
2. Be able to run for 2.5 miles GOAL MET! In fact, I can now run for 3 miles!!!
3. Weight train 2x per week (one upper/one lower). - I've been doing really poorly with weight training, but I start back with my trainer tomorrow!
4. Workout 6x per week. - not even close!
5. Lose 4.5 pounds (would be at 146). - ALMOST - I'm at 147, which still feels great!
6. Burn 2000 calories per week - not even close! I've been burning more like 1400-1500. I should have realized I'd get off track with school starting.
SEPTEMBER GOALS:
1. Run 1st 5K (since 2003) on Sept 11th.
2. Run 'my' lake 5K in under 46 minutes. (currently at 49 mins 20 secs)
3. Run 1 mile at 14 mins 30 secs. (fastest current run was 15 mins 30 secs)
4. Buy a bicycle!
5. Lose 4 pounds (so 143).
6. Get back in the habit of drinking 8 glasses of water a day. (So, let's say 20 days this month.)
7. Start logging food again. (15 days this month)
8. Run 8 miles per week, swim 500 yards per week, and 'bicycle' (probably at gym) 4 miles a week.
I am really stressed with the start of the school year and am not finding much time to be on the computer logging my food, etc. And, I've been making poor eating choices. I hope to get that turned around! And, it was great looking back at last month's goals and see some that I've met!
August goals:
1. Run 3x per week - ALMOST MET... 1 week husband was working early and I only got in 2 runs.
2. Be able to run for 2.5 miles GOAL MET! In fact, I can now run for 3 miles!!!
3. Weight train 2x per week (one upper/one lower). - I've been doing really poorly with weight training, but I start back with my trainer tomorrow!
4. Workout 6x per week. - not even close!
5. Lose 4.5 pounds (would be at 146). - ALMOST - I'm at 147, which still feels great!
6. Burn 2000 calories per week - not even close! I've been burning more like 1400-1500. I should have realized I'd get off track with school starting.
SEPTEMBER GOALS:
1. Run 1st 5K (since 2003) on Sept 11th.
2. Run 'my' lake 5K in under 46 minutes. (currently at 49 mins 20 secs)
3. Run 1 mile at 14 mins 30 secs. (fastest current run was 15 mins 30 secs)
4. Buy a bicycle!
5. Lose 4 pounds (so 143).
6. Get back in the habit of drinking 8 glasses of water a day. (So, let's say 20 days this month.)
7. Start logging food again. (15 days this month)
8. Run 8 miles per week, swim 500 yards per week, and 'bicycle' (probably at gym) 4 miles a week.
I am really stressed with the start of the school year and am not finding much time to be on the computer logging my food, etc. And, I've been making poor eating choices. I hope to get that turned around! And, it was great looking back at last month's goals and see some that I've met!
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