Saturday Long Run...Finally!

There are 20 days until The Love Run Half Marathon. I have run a grand total of 5 miles for my longest run to date for it. It's been exceedingly frustrating. Every time I went out for a long run, my ankle/calf where I slammed 37.5 pounds on it last month hurt. I didn't know what I did and was afraid I did something to the Achilles. I did not want a ruptured Achilles.

Today, I went out for 7.5 miles. I needed a good long run before the 30th to feel confident I won't be swept off the course. I also needed to know I could run that distance without my ankle/calf hurting.

I went with my intervals of half mile run/1 minute walk. Some weeks I've done 4 minute run/1 minute walk, but I went longer today. I got to half a mile, felt good. I got to one mile, felt good. I got to 1.5 miles, felt good. From here on out is when I have to start worrying. It always kicked in after 1.5 miles, closer to 2. I got to two miles, felt good. 2.5, 3, 3.5, 4 miles. All pain-free! Woohoo!

I was so happy that I could run that far without any pain. I ran around town until 7 miles, half a mile shorter than I scheduled, but my hips were starting to bother me. I decided to cut it short to rest the hips. The last time I ran 7+ miles was Nov. 11th when I ran the National Veterans Day 11k Run. I'm ok with cutting this one a tiny bit short.

As a funny aside to today's run, it was the very first time on a training run of any length that I had to stop for a bathroom break. I've been running for 5+ years and this is the first time I had to seek out a bathroom so I could continue running. Thank you Sheetz for having a clean bathroom I could use!

How did your long run go today? Anyone else have warmer temperatures?


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Training begins!

Alright people! Love Run half marathon training has officially begun! My plan started with a 2 mile run yesterday. I knew it wouldn't be a great run since I haven't run in ages and last week I had a cold/flu light. I also knew 2 miles wasn't that far and I could do it pretty easily even if I haven't run.

I put on my new jacket that hubby gave me for Christmas. It's awesome!

Then it was off to my normal running route! I knew all I really needed was a one mile out, then turn around. It's easy to get behind that. LOL! I parked the car, headed up to the school I start at, and headed off. I run on sidewalks because I honestly don't trust people who drive. I suppose they could hit me on the sidewalk too, but I figure it's a bit harder to do.

I ran really slow. Way slower than I used to run. I say used to because since June I have been an extreme runner slacker. I admit it. I own it. I've been battling internal struggles and it didn't cause me to run. I knew this run wouldn't be fast, but I went anyway.

And I was right. I was slow. As slow as when I first started running 5 years ago. Eh. Whatever. I have faith that based on past running I'll speed up. Anyway... I got my two miles in. Two 15 minute and 10 second miles. LOL! Oh yes. Speed demon!

But, you know what? Who cares? I ran my two miles then came home and did my stretches. My plan also called for hitting the gym for a spin class, but due to last week's illness I decided this week is a run only week. No classes so as to ease into the program. Classes will happen next week.

Anyone else running the Love Run this March? Have you started official training? If not the Love Run, are you training for a big spring race? Which one?
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Half Marathon #7 Scheduled

The past few months have been pretty bad in terms of running. I haven't been out on the streets much, even when I had a race. But, I ran the KidsPeace Trick-or-Trot 5k Saturday and had fun. It was the first time I've run in awhile where I had fun.

And since I had fun, I signed up for The Love Run! I've been looking at this race for a few months and wanted to sign up. Hubby isn't running Shamrock again, so I didn't want to make us drive back to Virginia Beach for me. The Love Run is in Philly and since I had to skip the Philadelphia Half Marathon in November, this gives me the chance to run in Philly in March in a first time race.

I'm really excited! And I'm in need of a good race, so I know I need to:

lose weight

strengthen my core

add flexibility

gain stamina

build muscle

I started using My Fitness Pal to keep track of my food and exercise. The past two days have gone well. I've tracked both in the program and it's interesting seeing the stat of "if you ate like this everyday you would be x pounds in 5 weeks." I like that, Right now it's saying I'll be about 10 pounds lighter. I'll take that.

So, I'm committing to all the above to run a strong and happy The Love Run Half Marathon. I want to finish that race (hopefully with a PR) like I did at the end of the Shamrock Half Marathon in March 2012. I had a 25 minute PR, but more than that I felt like I could run for another 2-3 miles. I felt good. I felt exhilarated. I was happy. I want that again (and the 25 minute PR wouldn't be turned down!). 

I've got five full months to get myself in tip top shape. I can do it. I'm looking forward to it.

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