My day of rest

I had every intention of doing some strength training tonight (while watching the biggest loser of course!) but I am not feeling well so it is officially a day of rest for me. I'll need to be sure that in addition to running I find the time to make up for it tomorrow. I did manage to once again get in my 7 servings of fruits and vegetables today! YAY ME!! (maybe that's why I'm not feeling well - my body has gone into shock!)

I decided what my first half marathon is going to be and I am VERY excited about it. The More Magazine's (women's only) half marathon takes place in Central Park on April 15th. Registration for this opens up on January 9th and I have marked my calendar!

I found a doable training program for me - with a little time to spare to be sure I'm ready. Anybody else doing this? Anybody else preparing for their FIRST half marathon? I'd love to compare notes!

Other People's Blogs....

Browsing the internet has taken on a whole new meaning for me. I love reading other runner's blogs. I find it so helpful - searching for like minded people - looking for anwers to questions I don't even realize I have!

For example - if it weren't for the Running Librarian's blog I would have missed the fact that I should be counting a point each day for eating 7 servings of fruits and vegetables in the HBBC. (clearly I should be paying more attention to these things BEFORE I sign up!)

I found A So Called Runner's blog and am really looking forward to the 5 Mile race I signed up for this weekend. It gives the race more purpose. You see - I also signed up for the Hope Endures Virtual 5k so this race fits the bill! Can't wait.

Each day I find more and more bloggers / runners and it makes me feel like I'm part of a community. I often run by myself and go to races by myself (my running friends were short lived!) so it's great to have the company!

I'm working on officially "following" (once I figure out how that works) all of of these blogs and if you have any that you want to share - please send them my way!

Thanks!

To run....or not....

SO....It's 65 degrees today in the North East - seriously! I would love to spend the day reading my book ("The Help" - so I'm a little behind on my reading list...) but how can I NOT run when it's so nice outside? Not to mention that the HBBC keeps me feeling just guilty enough to force me to lace up. I'm off....

I learned a lesson about myself yesterday...

I have been very proud of myself and my quest to become a runner. Apparently I've been so caught up in that pride that I've been holding myself back from becoming the best I can be at it.

I SHOULD be doing hill training, I SHOULD be pushing myself to be faster. It's not enough (at least for me) to just be doing this. I want to be good at it!! I know that I'll never win a race -(seriously...I'm 5'1" and could stand to lose a few pounds) but I certainly should be able to get more outta myself.

I had a very dear friend run with me yesterday. Someone who's never run a race and never even run outside. She only runs for exercise and she does it from the comfort of her living room. I am not trying to sell the treadmill short as I LOVE mine - but for me - there is a huge difference between running outside and running inside.

That said - she came in a minute after me. One lousy minute. I am VERY VERY proud of her and don't want to take anything away from that. In hindsight - what I've realized is that I should have been better. I should have been faster than her. I'm training, running, focusing on my run all the time.

BUT - unless I push myself when I'm training and while I'm running - I'm not going to get better, faster, stronger.

Game on - I'm ready.

Happy Thanksgiving!!

Great day so far - 5 M turkey trot is behind me and soon the turkey will be in front of me! Race time (I believe as I did not stick around for final result) was 51:47. I'll take it considering there were a LOT of hills.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone - Enjoy!

A rambling post.....

I've got a few things on my mind tonight so please bear with me....

For starters - I need to modify my goals for the week. Not because I can't physically do it or don't have the mental drive - but because I know better. I KNOW that running everyday - especially when I am trying to improve - is not smart. My body needs recovery days.

Instead of running everyday - on my rest days I will walk and weight train. As I have more time I will try and fold in either Pilates or Yoga - but this week - there is no extra time to be found. PLUS my legs are sore and I need them to be in top shape for the Turkey Trot on Thursday.

Which leads me to my second topic. The Turkey Trot ...

I am new to this world of running and racing so I don't necessarily think of some of the things a more experienced racer would. I don't or should I say didn't think to look at the course map ahead of time.

IF I had - I'd have known that the first half of the race was uphill. I mean....seriously uphill. Hindsight's 20/20 - I could have been training on that hill. So, because I am so predictable - I "raced" home yesterday after scouting out the course, laced up my kicks and headed for the biggest hill I could find.

I'm sure I'm not the only runner that slacks off on hill training...so let's just say that my last minute effort has only made my already tender legs ache. They actually woke me up last night. I'll call it a "wake up call" on consistency in hill training as well as a reminder of how important rest days are - especiallly after a long run.

At this rate my 5 mile Turkey Trot is looking more like it could be a Turkey Crawl.

Lastly (finally)....my quest for healthier eating...

This isn't new for me - I am very aware of what I should and shouldn't be eating. My fridge is stocked with flax seed, wheat germ (although I am considering investigating that whole gluten free thing), chia seeds and bee pollen (yes - I said Bee Pollen). What I lack is consistency. I am a full fledged sugar addict and find it a very difficult habit to break. As part of the HBBC (Holiday Bootie Buster Challenge) I'm trying to drop 15 pounds so I'm refocusing on my daily diet. I've paired up with a wonderful friend and tomorrow morning is our first weigh in. Wish me luck - stepping on the scale in front of someone is NEVER fun!

In the future I will try and find a better way to structure these posts. Focusing on different topics different days. Today I just needed to get it all out there.

thanks -

So JEALOUS of everyone at Philly yesterday.....

To be honest....I was mildly jealous until I learned that I had a "friend" that was participating in the half marathon. Well...more of an acquaintance, but still. I can run 5, I can run 6 - but the thought of getting up to 13+ gives me pause.

Yesterday was an amazing day in the North East (almost 70 degrees!) so it was the perfect day for hitting the pavement. I ran 5 and felt so much better afterwards. Getting ready for the 5 M Turkey Trot on Thursday. What I'm really excited about is how much less guilt I plan on having at the end of the day after I've proceeded to stuff myself thoroughly!

My struggle as I prepare for races - and I do "prepare" and read a ton - is finding the proper balance when it comes to training. I don't seem to have my rhythm when it comes to how much is too much or too little. I'm obsessed with increasing my mileage and afraid that if I don't run big miles (big being relative of course!) that I'll lose ground.

Am I supposed to work on getting faster while I'm increasing my distance or am I supposed to work on that after the fact? How am I supposed to be doing speed drills, hill training, AND running long distances on a regular basis? Don't get me wrong - I AM getting faster (ok - that's relative also!) but when I started training I was running almost a 15 minute mile - now my training runs are between 10 and 11 minutes.

My goals for the week -
Run at least 2 miles every day (although I MAY take Wednesday off to "rest up" for Thursday)
Monday - Run 2
Tuesday - Run 3
Wednesday - Rest
Thursday - 5 mile Race (I've read that you should try and walk a mile at least AFTER your race to help your muscles recuperate -I'm hoping to get in something slow and short in the afternoon)
Friday - Run 2 (very SLOWLY)
Saturday - Can I run 3? That'll be tough. I've realized that my body definitely needs some time to get back into it after a race.

All this rambling on - I feel a bit like Doogie Howser :-).

Bear with me as I figure out exactly how this blogging thing works.....

I've decided to start blogging as a tool to hold myself more accountable for my goals. I figure if I put things in writing, out there for "the whole world to see" (as my father says) then maybe I'll take more responsibility for myself.

As I go along - hopefully you'll see improvements and changes to the format of this page. It may take me awhile as I'm not too saavy about these things!

I started running back in June. And when I say started - I mean I have never been a runner. I'm not the kind of gal that one would consider "athletic". I certainly didn't think I would find myself at the age of 42 starting something new and lacing up my running shoes on a regular basis. When I signed up for the Warrior Dash my husband kept asking me - 'are you sure you know what you are getting yourself into'?

It's been slow, literally. I have a running shirt that says "Why run faster when you can follow this a$$?" on the back of it and it's no joke.

When my friends comment on how much I must really like running - I actually have to stop and think about it. Do I love it? I'm not gonna lie - when my feet first hit the pavement - what's running (pun intended) through my mind isn't how much I'm enjoying myself. Usually I'm thinking "how come this doesn't seem to be getting any easier"?

What I do love is race day. I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the energy that you feel when you are standing there with all those other runners waiting to start. Right now - that's what keeps me going. I imagine years from now (at least I hope) as I am still running - I will realize it is something I can't live without. For now - what keeps me moving is my next race.

That said - since June I've run:
(2) 5k trail races
(2) 5k road races
The Warrior Dash
(1) 10k (my greatest accomplishment to date)

My goal now is to be able to run a half-marathon in the spring. Increasing my mileage over the winter won't be easy - but having the goal will help. If anyone has any suggestions for half-marathons in the North East let me know. (preferably FLAT terrain! HA)

More to follow.....

BTW- I did just sign my self up for the HBBC Challenge (Holiday Bootie Buster Challenge) - this should motivate me to rack up those miles!