And Today's A New Day

Well, I didn't get last nights run in.

You can find out why here.

I was frustrated that I didn't get there. But most obviously she is soooo much more important than a run.

Here's to hoping that she is feeling better tonight; I can leave her with Daddy, and take my frustrations out on the treadmill.

Cause every day is a new day.

Starting Over

So last week wasn't a good week.
I was tired.
I had headaches.
I was home alone with Ava.
Other than the day I swam laps, there was something that kept me from getting to the gym and working out.

But, I have learned that we can't let set backs lead to quitting.

So, today is a new week.

I will make it a new beginning.
I will move forward.

Tentative plan is run tonight, maybe run tomorrow, workout at home Wednesday morning, run Thursday. Take a break on Friday.

I will do this! (Make it to the half marathon that is.)
The journey of 1,000 miles starts with a single step.
Or lots of single steps.

Cross Training

One of the things that I didn't do very well when I was gearing up to run the 5Ks a few years ago was cross train and stick to a good strength training program.
So I have been trying to at least plan to incorporate both into my training plans.
It hasn't gone so well ... yet.
I just need to find a good time to go to the gym where I actually have the time to stay and lift.
Cross training is also difficult, because I have been going to the gym so far only a few days a week. And I feel that since running is my main goal right now, I should use my gym time to, well, RUN.

Well, tonight I brought my swim suit and running clothes with me. I wasn't sure which workout I was going to do. When I got to the gym, I had decided to run. Because I've been feeling really self conscious about actually swimming laps. with other people in the pool. And then, as I was taking out my clothes, I realized I didn't have a sports bra with me. And there was no way I was running without one.

SO, swimming it was.

Oh. My. Goodness.

I forgot how difficult swimming is when you're main objective is not just playing around in the water. I swam 2 laps, and was exhausted. So I rested a few minutes; and then swam 2 more. I repeated this, I think, 5 times in 30 minutes.

I am not even sure how much swimming that actually is...or how much ground I covered. I know, or at least think I know, that at a high school 1 lap = 100 yards. But I think this pool might be bigger than that?? I am going to have to look into that.

Either way. I feel this workout. I wonder if I'll feel it in the morning....

Plan is to run tomorrow, before Chad is gone this weekend.

Time is the Enemy

Time is the Enemy.
It never fails.
If a workout is not going to be accomplished, it is most likely due to time.
Or tiredness and headaches.
Or all three - as was the case tonight.

I get home with Ava around 6:15 at night.
Then Chad and I get supper going.
And by then it is so close to her bedtime, I feel guilty leaving.
So I stay.
And by the time she gets to sleep, I look at that clock and think, "Really?"
It doesn't help that it was one of those days when she took a good nap
and was up til 9.
I wish I could predict these things.
Cause I could have gone, and most likely been home by then.

And of course I know the tiredness and headache ...
Well, the workout probably would have made both feel better.
But it is so hard to remember that at the time.

Regardless, it is so frustrating.
I feel so crappy when I don't do my workouts.
I feel guilty.
I really do love working out.

But, I KNOW I have to let it go.
And make tomorrow a new day.
As with so much of life.

So, I will push myself to keep finding the groove.

And I will push myself to get good workouts in Wednesday and Thursday.
Cause Chad will likely be gone Friday and Saturday.

Time will not get the best of me.

Workout #3

After picking up 3 hours at the Children's Home this morning
I headed to the gym.
A very similar workout to Friday.

Started with a 1/2 mile walking warm-up
Then ran 1 mile at varying paces
The walked a brisk 1/4 of a mile
Started running again, and made it over 1 1/4 miles
Before walking just a short 2 minute cool down.

For a total of 3.2 miles in 45 minutes.

The treadmill said my average pace was just under 14 min/mile.
I know I have nothing to be ashamed of at this point in the game.
Because I am in fact further along then I thought I would be.
I was surprised at how well I handled it when I jolted the pace up a few times today.
And yet, the critic in me, wishes I would have ended faster today.
Oh well, Critic - Shut up!

Another good workout; and the end of week 1*, in the books.

*Week 1 in terms of Couch to 5K goes on three workouts per week.
*And yes, the way I plan weeks begin on Monday.

Workout #2

Finally made it back to the gym tonight :)

Here's how things went down.

Got on the treadmill and walked 1/2 mile, then started running. I was feeling good and the running was feeling easy! I ran a total of 1 & 1/4 miles. Take that Couch to 5K! I honestly felt like I could have ran longer, but I decided to take a walking break to see if I could then go further in total mileage. Bad idea! It is always so hard to maintain running again after walking. At least that has always been my experience. So, instead I walked another 1/2 mile, hit my 30 minute goal, and called it a night.

So, on one hand I am thrilled that I ran over a mile without stopping. On the other hand, I wish I would have pushed myself to go further in total mileage.

Final distance tonight was 2.25 miles in just over 33 minutes.

And just to add; I ran the 1 & 1/4 miles at a 13:38 min/mile pace. Pretty happy with that.

The Plan

So, how am I going to go from a running hiatus to 13.1 miles in 6 months?

Well first I am going to use the Couch to 5K plan as a guide.
I have used Couch to 5K before, and it progresses quite slowly.
I can do more!
But at least it gives me a pace at which to increase the amount of time running.
I plan to follow this for approximately 9 weeks.

Then for 4-5 weeks,
I am going to follow a "pre-training" regimen.
This training period will be used to build up mileage and endurance.
Without over doing it.
Without having it in front of me;
I think it consists of running 5 times a week,
for a total of 12-15 miles.

Then the real training begins.
A 12 week half marathon training plan.
It peaks at 25 miles a week (I think)
with the longest run being 12 miles.

I have never done this before.
I am not looking to set a record.
I just want to go the distance.

And if you're wondering,
the training plans came from Cool Runnings website.
Runners World is another good website.
And I used to get their magazine, too.
(I plan to resubscribe)

Running History

So, maybe you are wondering how I got to the point of wanting to run a half marathon.

I guess I feel like running has been something I have been interested in for quite some time.

My freshman year in high school I joined the track team.
I participated in track freshman, sophomore, and junior year.
At least I don't remember running my senior year.
Problem was I never felt like I found an event I was good at.
Freshman year, I did sprints. Distance sounded way too hard.
Sophomore year, I did some 200's and relays.
Junior year, I tried my hand at 800's. And even a few 2 mile races.
I guess I feel like at that point I did best at the 800's.
I didn't have to go fast. And I didn't have to go far.
But really, I wasn't much of an athlete at all.
(I can admit it!)

Then came college.
I ran for fun.
But just here and there.
Mainly in the spring.
Cause you know, it was time to get in shape!
And as fast as I was on the bandwagon.
I was off again.

A few years ago, I set out to get serious about losing weight,
getting in shape,
and overall feeling healthy.
I started walking.
And moved into running.

In April of 2009, I ran the Earth Day 5K.
In June of 2009, I ran the Sartell Mayors 5K.

I was raring to go.

And then I was taking summer classes.
I started student teaching;
while maintaining a full-time job.
And got pregnant!
Needless to say, I wasn't running.
And I didn't want to start up again while pregnant.

Since I've had Ava, I just haven't gotten back into it.
Mainly due to time.
But also ability.
And the fact that I didn't want to wobble around a baby's head in the jogger!

But it's time.
Time to do something for me.
Time to lose the weight.
Time to get in shape.
Time to achieve a goal.

I've always admired athletes.
Now its time to feel like one.

Workout #1

Tuesday, October 12, 2010

Finally, got my butt into the gym. My goal is the Earth Day Half in April. It won't be easy. I hope I have enough time to build up my strength, my mileage, and my endurance. Tonight went well. I was alternating walking and running. The program said to alternate every 60-90 seconds. I was making it 2 to 3 minutes. I didn't feel overworked though. I was sweaty and tired at the end. My legs were tight afterwards.

But...

it feels good!