The Gusher Half Marathon - Week 6 Training

Well, obviously I am still not the best at remembering to update my blog!  Oh well....

I just completed week 5 of my half marathon training schedule and I feel amazing.  I am in the middle of the high mileage part of the plan and so far haven't had any issues.  I am pretty sure it's because of having the right shoes for my feet and having a few pairs to rotate between.  Thank goodness there are specialty running stores & thank God we finally have one here in Beaumont!!  As far as training this past week, this is what my schedule looked like:

Monday - 3 mi
Tuesday - Rest
Wednesday - 5 mi
Thursday - 3 mi
Friday - Rest
Saturday - 10 mi (long run)

Week 6 will be a little more challenging with this mileage:

Monday - 4 mi
Tuesday - Rest
Wednesday - 5 mi
Thursday - 4 mi
Friday - Rest
Saturday - 11 mi (long run)

Once I get through week 6, week 7 is the highest mileage training week for me and then it starts to taper off the last 2 weeks before the race.  Which sort of makes me nervous.  I'm hoping my body doesn't get used to not going long before the race.... But they say a good and solid plan does taper and gives your legs a chance to rest and conserve more energy.  So, here's hoping it's true! :)

I never in a million years thought that I would be at the point of running 10 miles or more in a row, no stopping.  Especially coming from last year being overweight and miserable and barely able to run a 1 minute interval without feeling like I was going to die!  Now I can run long distances and yea I am tired and sometimes want to quit, but I never feel like I just can't do it like I used to.  The human body is an amazing thing!  You can push it and push it and it just adapts and says "What you got next?!?!?"  I am definitely loving pushing my limits and reaching new goals.  I see a marathon in my future eventually :)

I also believe the friends I have that support me, make this journey even more fun and memorable and real.  I have a really wonderful support system.  It's amazing how in the running world, people don't judge you on how fast or slow you are, how much you weigh, what you wear, how you run.... they just wave or smile or nod their head and keep running.  I see a fellow runner and all I think is "Good for them!!"  I love the fact that my friends my live out of state and I hardly ever get to see them, but we can still connect over this and use Nike as a way to compete and challenge each other...challenge to be better people, better runners.

It also really helps to have a husband that is totally supportive of my running habits & will tell me... hey you haven't ran in like 2 days... go do it.  haha  Sometimes you just need that extra push and I am thankful I have it!

All runners are a little crazy.  We know this.  We love this.  Come be a little crazy too.  It's hard, challenging, fun, and totally worth it to take that journey and go from couch potato to runner. :)

Happy Running Ya'll!

Gusher 1/2 Marathon Training Schedule

So, I am having such a hard time remembering to get on here and blog and keep everybody updated on my 1/2 marathon training schedule!!!!!  But, first things first, my fabulously amazing husband, just signed up yesterday to run the Gusher 5K while I will complete the 1/2 marathon!  I am so very excited :)  I can't wait to share my running experiences with him and hopefully he will get hooked on it too.  It's just such a healthy habit to get involved in long term.  Running, for me, is a lifestyle.  It's what I do, I run.  It is what I will always do and hopefully my future family...children...will want to do it too.  I feel like my husband being involved a little will help make it a family lifestyle.

Now as far as training goes, here is a link to my actual 1/2 marathon training schedule:

Marathon Rookie 1/2 Marathon Training Schedule

I am on week 4 now and so far so good.  I have completed two 6 mile runs and feel great.  One of my good friends is training with this schedule and I cant wait to race with her that day!  She is rocking out her training too and helping to keep me motivated.  Thank you Sarah Wells :)

As far as training goes, I am feeling great and getting prepared.  I am also trying my best to eat more cleanly and eliminate bad foods from my diet.  I am starting to feel more energized, and better everyday.  Nutritious eating truly does make a difference.  Hope all of this makes sense.  If anyone has any questions about running, feel free to ask!  Happy Running Everybody!!

1st Long Run (1/2 Marathon Training)

Today was my first long run on my 1/2 marathon training schedule.  It was a four mile run, and it was a slow and hot four miles!  Whew.  But, I made it through it and felt amazing afterwards.  I am pretty excited about this training program too.  Other than my 5K training I really don't have any other running experience other than when I was in my early 20s running through college.  Kind of hoping it all comes back to me and I can up my mileage over the next few months without any injury.  Looking forward to next week's long run of 5 miles, but until then...regular training resumes! :)

Happy Running Ya'll!

3.5 miles down!

Felt a little better today....  running while sick is no walk in the park lol...  The weather was perfect today... around 70 and not too windy.  Did a quick 3.5 miles and called it a day.  Trying to not over do it and get sicker. Hope everyone else had great runs...oh and look, I remembered to blog 2 days in a row! Even if they are short, it still counts :)

Everybody check this out when you get a minute.  It's for my friends!  Thanks & Happy Running ya'll!

Aaron's Run for Autism!

Bring it 2012!

New Year = New Goals

Took time to re-evaluate what I want out of my running and realized while losing 23lbs last year was amazing, I really just want to keep going and not focus strictly on the weight loss.  People who do an activity just to lose weight typically don't stick with it long term and usually quit and gain the weight back... pretty much the same as people who are "dieters" always on a diet and restricting their foods tend to go off of it and go overboard.  So, basically I want this to be a lifetime change... better eating and more exercise.

So there is my resolution:
1. Eat Cleanly
2. Exercise regularly...RUN RUN RUN & the weights :)
3. Allow myself to enjoy a splurge here and there.

This new year-week started my training for my first 1/2 marathon ever!!!  I am stoked and can't wait for it.  I am officially registered and everything and March 10th will get here before I know it.  I am completely excited and totally nervous all at once.  I am going to have to start increasing my weekly long run mileage from about 6-7 miles to around 9-10.  I also need to work on having stronger tempo runs, fartleks & add more speedwork.  So, here we go, getting off to a fast, fit & fabulous 2012.

The biggest thank you to the most supporting, encouraging and understanding man ever.... Damien Sykes, you keep me inspired to go farther and dream bigger.  :)

Also want to give a big thank you to my running friends that totally inspire me to reach farther, push my limits and believe in my own strength...  Thank you Sarah Wells, Jamie Sandefer, Aaron Goldin, Mandy Knight-Goldin, Teri Bayless-Hawthorne, Amber Kay Landry, Rachael Daniels, Becca Butler & Jeremy Hunt!  Hope you all have a very strong running year.

For any non-runner or beginner who hasn't worked out in awhile or ever, it is never too late and running is a natural thing you were born to do. You can do it and the running community is so supportive.  If you need any info or help getting started, don't hesitate to contact me!

Happy New Year & Happy Running everybody!!  Lets all reach our goals together.