New personal best!!
So after deliberately choosing to not get up this morning before work to train, I knew that meant I had to go after work. While I don't usually prefer to do my training at 7:45pm, it worked out tonight! I went to the Urban Active in Polaris and did their indoor track (as I still don't really enjoy the boring monotony of a treadmill workout)...24 laps later (12 laps = 1 mile), I had set myself a new personal best for the indoor track! I was at 27:39 which shaved about 2 minutes off my personal best from the 15th!
I guess this training stuff really is working......my quest for tomorrow...2 MORE MILES! (I'm sure eventually that will seem really short......right????)
In the meantime...I was flagged down by a trainer at the end of my workout tonight who stopped me by asking me what I was training for. (Smart woman...........got me to talk to her, didn't she??) She was excellent and actually got me thinking about signing up for the expensive personal training sessions. BUT...I was so excited that someone stopped me to ask about what I was training for!! AND I HAD AN ANSWER! That was awesome...it made me so proud to say "I'm training for the Columbus Half Marathon!"
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
Thursday, May 26, 2011
Oh What a Night....
So the theme behind Tuesday night was..."Am I nuts for thinking I can do this???" But, after some tummy pain today and some serious soreness yesterday, I pushed on and forced myself to do my mile and a half of training today. That is the equivalent of three laps around our neighborhood block...or so I thought.
The jog started out with a bit of a mechanical issue when I discovered that I really do need an armband for my mp3 player. One pair of pants has a cool little inside pocket and the other is old and doesn't. Well, I just stuck the mp3 player (ie: my phone) into my waistband.....not even to the end of the block and the phone is at my knee. Ugh. So I guess I'll invest in one of those cool armband dealie-bobs.....
But, as I am trying to fix the mechanical issue...I hear my name being called by my FABULOUS neighbors Bill and Heidi Griesmer as they cheer me on!!! (Thank guys!!!) It was such a great thing to know that someone in my neighborhood knew that I wasn't just out being crazy thinking I could jog but were actually cheering on my efforts! It makes me want to put an "I'm training for the Cols marathon" sign on my lawn like those Pelotonia signs (yay Bill and Heidi again!) that I see every year. I wonder if they sell those...................
I was super excited when I beat my personal best time clocking in at 18:47 for the three laps. I was super excited to have completed my 1.5 miles in this time until I looked at my phone (for that cool GPS app) which said I only went 1.25 miles. WHAT?!?!?!?! Well, it's still a personal best for the three laps and it really explains why my gym and treadmill pace times have been so much slower.
The good news...I got home from my workout and realized that I CAN do this!! :) I'm even thinking about signing up for a 5k in July and a 12k in September to keep me motivated!!
So thanks Bill and Heidi and my fabulous support group!! I <3 you all! :)
The jog started out with a bit of a mechanical issue when I discovered that I really do need an armband for my mp3 player. One pair of pants has a cool little inside pocket and the other is old and doesn't. Well, I just stuck the mp3 player (ie: my phone) into my waistband.....not even to the end of the block and the phone is at my knee. Ugh. So I guess I'll invest in one of those cool armband dealie-bobs.....
But, as I am trying to fix the mechanical issue...I hear my name being called by my FABULOUS neighbors Bill and Heidi Griesmer as they cheer me on!!! (Thank guys!!!) It was such a great thing to know that someone in my neighborhood knew that I wasn't just out being crazy thinking I could jog but were actually cheering on my efforts! It makes me want to put an "I'm training for the Cols marathon" sign on my lawn like those Pelotonia signs (yay Bill and Heidi again!) that I see every year. I wonder if they sell those...................
I was super excited when I beat my personal best time clocking in at 18:47 for the three laps. I was super excited to have completed my 1.5 miles in this time until I looked at my phone (for that cool GPS app) which said I only went 1.25 miles. WHAT?!?!?!?! Well, it's still a personal best for the three laps and it really explains why my gym and treadmill pace times have been so much slower.
The good news...I got home from my workout and realized that I CAN do this!! :) I'm even thinking about signing up for a 5k in July and a 12k in September to keep me motivated!!
So thanks Bill and Heidi and my fabulous support group!! I <3 you all! :)
Tuesday, May 24, 2011
Drive it BEFORE you run it, right?
Samantha had Girl Scouts tonight and I decided to combine that with my running so I went to the AWESOME track and field website that Mike found me (http://www.usatf.org/routes/map/) and plotted myself a route near the Norwich Township Fire Station. It was through a neighborhood and looked very good. Just before leaving, I said to Mike...I think I'll drive it first just to make sure. HA! I got so lost in my car that I was glad I had a backup route...so off to Target I went. :)
2 miles today in 32:33. It was a beautiful evening but I learned that a beautiful day is warm for running. I walked most of it as I discovered I picked a route with actual elevation. I didn't hit my goal time today (30 minutes) and I got back to my car thinking "what did I get myself into?" and "what am I thinking thinking I can do 13 miles if I can barely go two...." But after some stretching and relaxing, I started to realize that the first few weeks aren't about times and goals really...they are about being able to work through the routines and the training to get me started. I feel tired and achy already but I know that tomorrow's cross-training will be good. But, as for today............it was definitely a blah.
2 miles today in 32:33. It was a beautiful evening but I learned that a beautiful day is warm for running. I walked most of it as I discovered I picked a route with actual elevation. I didn't hit my goal time today (30 minutes) and I got back to my car thinking "what did I get myself into?" and "what am I thinking thinking I can do 13 miles if I can barely go two...." But after some stretching and relaxing, I started to realize that the first few weeks aren't about times and goals really...they are about being able to work through the routines and the training to get me started. I feel tired and achy already but I know that tomorrow's cross-training will be good. But, as for today............it was definitely a blah.
Personal Readiness Quiz
So as I embark upon this journey, what is the first thing that I do??? I check out a book on marathoning from the library, of course!!! :) (To be fair, I actually consulted a number of websites first courtesy of Pop-Up and DJ and then got books in paper and epub format...)
So the book I checked out in paper format is called Marathoning for Mortals. I will tell you that so far, it's good but I was surprised at the very lack of books on the half marathon. Evidently, the whole world would prefer to run the 5k or the marathon or even do a triathlon. Crazy, huh? Well, this was one of the few books that actually presented itself as a real guide depending on your goal. It has programs for walking, running, and run/walking and walk/running both distances. I like that I can have a goal of: finish the darn thing! That's really my primary goal...the secondary goal is the time goal. But, the book has a personal readiness survey to see if I'm REALLY ready to start this thing. (Good thing since it's in chapter three...wouldn't you think that would be in chapter one???)
I was disappointed (but not surprised) to find that the authors think you should have at least a year of good, solid training before trying to complete a half marathon. Do you think that sporadic trips to the gym count as good solid training? Me either. BUT, I think as long as I don't overdo, I will be good. :)
What I really liked about the personal survey was listing both your motivations and challenges for the training period. And I thought that this might be a good format to share those....so without further ado...
MY MOTIVATIONS
1. Prevent disease and get healthier through training
2. Getting that PTO time!
3. Motivating my kids to exercise by setting a good example.
4. Get toned and look hot in a bathing suit. (Is that realistic, really???)
MY CHALLENGES
1. Time. Time. Time. With two kids whose schedules change weekly, a husband whose schedule changes seasonally, and my own schedule which is totally erratic....time is an issue.
2. Burnout. I am super excited now but there is still a LOT of time before the race. My first goal....get through our trip to NY with no stops in training.
3. Boredom. Any suggestions as to how to keep myself entertained on this crazy long run/walk??? :)
So that's about it for today...two miles later today. Will post times and routes later (great idea Pop-Up!!)
So the book I checked out in paper format is called Marathoning for Mortals. I will tell you that so far, it's good but I was surprised at the very lack of books on the half marathon. Evidently, the whole world would prefer to run the 5k or the marathon or even do a triathlon. Crazy, huh? Well, this was one of the few books that actually presented itself as a real guide depending on your goal. It has programs for walking, running, and run/walking and walk/running both distances. I like that I can have a goal of: finish the darn thing! That's really my primary goal...the secondary goal is the time goal. But, the book has a personal readiness survey to see if I'm REALLY ready to start this thing. (Good thing since it's in chapter three...wouldn't you think that would be in chapter one???)
I was disappointed (but not surprised) to find that the authors think you should have at least a year of good, solid training before trying to complete a half marathon. Do you think that sporadic trips to the gym count as good solid training? Me either. BUT, I think as long as I don't overdo, I will be good. :)
What I really liked about the personal survey was listing both your motivations and challenges for the training period. And I thought that this might be a good format to share those....so without further ado...
MY MOTIVATIONS
1. Prevent disease and get healthier through training
2. Getting that PTO time!
3. Motivating my kids to exercise by setting a good example.
4. Get toned and look hot in a bathing suit. (Is that realistic, really???)
MY CHALLENGES
1. Time. Time. Time. With two kids whose schedules change weekly, a husband whose schedule changes seasonally, and my own schedule which is totally erratic....time is an issue.
2. Burnout. I am super excited now but there is still a LOT of time before the race. My first goal....get through our trip to NY with no stops in training.
3. Boredom. Any suggestions as to how to keep myself entertained on this crazy long run/walk??? :)
So that's about it for today...two miles later today. Will post times and routes later (great idea Pop-Up!!)
Monday, May 23, 2011
Me? Really? A half marathon??
My oldest daughter will be ten years old next month. In the past ten years, I have lost 80 pounds and gained most of it back. When I lost the weight, I was eating right, drinking water, and going to the gym 3-4 times per week. I lived in beautiful, sunny, weight-conscious California and had lots of wonderful supportive SKINNY people surrounding me. Even at my lowest (size 6), I still looked in the mirror and saw nothing but a fat person.
My youngest daughter will be five in October. In the intervening years between the births of my children, I gained 20 pounds (after losing the 80). When I gained the weight, I went back to eating like my friends, drinking soda (and Starbucks), and lost myself in television again. I now lived in beautiful, crazy-weather, football-conscious Ohio and had lots of wonderful supportive friends surrounding me. After my youngest was born, I struggled with the weight and am now about ten pounds under my heaviest weight ever (not pregnant).
I have inconsistently tried Weight Watchers, the gym, Body for Life, and other various "fun" ideas to get my weight down and get healthy. They have worked as consistently as I have tried them. So, I found out about two months ago that my employer is one of the sponsors of the Columbus Marathon and that they are really trying to drum up participation from the employees. So, they are giving PTO to both participate in and train for the marathon (or half marathon). So, I am embarking on a journey to complete my first half marathon in my goal time of 3 hours.
I started training about two weeks ago and so far, I am still feeling good. My husband suggested that I start a blog to track both my progress and let people know how I'm doing with my training! (Thanks Mike!)
So, here I am at the beginning of my twenty week journey to the half marathon....BRING IT!!! :)
My youngest daughter will be five in October. In the intervening years between the births of my children, I gained 20 pounds (after losing the 80). When I gained the weight, I went back to eating like my friends, drinking soda (and Starbucks), and lost myself in television again. I now lived in beautiful, crazy-weather, football-conscious Ohio and had lots of wonderful supportive friends surrounding me. After my youngest was born, I struggled with the weight and am now about ten pounds under my heaviest weight ever (not pregnant).
I have inconsistently tried Weight Watchers, the gym, Body for Life, and other various "fun" ideas to get my weight down and get healthy. They have worked as consistently as I have tried them. So, I found out about two months ago that my employer is one of the sponsors of the Columbus Marathon and that they are really trying to drum up participation from the employees. So, they are giving PTO to both participate in and train for the marathon (or half marathon). So, I am embarking on a journey to complete my first half marathon in my goal time of 3 hours.
I started training about two weeks ago and so far, I am still feeling good. My husband suggested that I start a blog to track both my progress and let people know how I'm doing with my training! (Thanks Mike!)
So, here I am at the beginning of my twenty week journey to the half marathon....BRING IT!!! :)
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