Week 3 of 12: Half Training Report

M: 3.5 m
W: 5 m
R: 2 m
Sa: Boys Ranch 5k

Today the "medium" length runs were stepped up to 3.5 miles. I switched the 3.5 mile run with the long run on Saturday since we were running in the Boys Ranch 5k. The long run was 5 miles this week---and went so much better than I thought it would. We ran early which was great because it was cool. I really struggled on the last mile, but other than stopping for water and stretching at mile 4, I didn't walk at all. It wasn't fast, in fact a little slower than I would have liked, but I survived. I was so pumped about completing 5 miles! Huge milestone for me!

I was so excited that the next day on my 2 mile run, I decided I could go a little faster. I really wanted to go faster than a 10 minute mile pace. Ummm...mistake. I ran the first mile in 9:24, but I died on the last mile and ended up walking for about 30 seconds. Walking on a 2 mile run---now that's pretty pathetic. Really took the wind out of my sail.

I was really nervous about the Boys Ranch 5k because there were hills. I had a super negative attitude Sat. morning. I really wanted to break 30 minutes, and I had no confidence since I had to walk on my 2 mile run this week. Jonathan and I started out together. The big hill was at the first which at least got it out of the way but drained me initially. The course was pretty so that was a plus. I didn't find the mile markers so I never knew what pace I was really running. I think that hurt me. On the last mile, I ended up walking for 1 minute. I was really down about this and indulged in negative self talk: "I will never be able to finish a 10k or half". Despite walking, I finished strong. I beat my last time by 15 seconds but still didn't break 30 minutes. This was disappointing, but it is progress. Hopefully with every 5k I can get a little better. I think I just need to focus on finishing and not times, but I want to finish in "respectable" times. I don't know where I'm getting this "respectable" standard, but it's not doing much for my self esteem.

This next week's workouts are the same as last week. I know I've been able to complete them once so I'm not dreading them so much.

Week 2 of 12: Half Training Report

M: 3 m
Sa: 2 m
Su: 4 m

I skipped a workout this week and spaced out the runs too much. I just couldn't get into a groove. It was brutal! I just couldn't wake myself up in the morning and the thought of running on the treadmill at lunch was too much. The treadmill is so boring. And night...it was so hot! So...I was really thinking the long run on Sunday was going to kill me. We're trying to do our long runs on Saturday, but Jonathan had plans Saturday morning so we pushed it back.

It actually went better than I thought; my body did much what it did last week: fought me in mile 1, gave up in mile 2-3, then pleaded with me to get it over with in mile 4. Another week down!

Week 1 of 12: Half Training Report

M: Run 3 m
T: Run 2 m
R: Run 3 m
Sa: Run 4 m

I was totally nervous about running 4 miles--the farthest I've ran was the 5k. I was amazed that I finished. We mapped out a route in the neighborhood and started before it was too hot. Mile 1 was a little sketchy; it usually is. It's like my body is trying to convince me to stop the insanity in Mile 1 and once it realizes I won't, it gives in for the rest of the mileage. Miles 2-3 were pretty routine. We stopped at Mile 3 for a water break and stretch, and at that point, I just kept telling myself "1 mile to go". Mile 4 was tough, but I broke it down into segments I could digest (just to that street, just to that lamp, etc.) until I was done. I was amazed in the time we did it; not fast by any means, but faster than I anticipated.

On another note, we just got back from Kansas City for the 99th Convention with Jonathan's father and grandmother. Here are the pics:

On To The 10k and the Half

After we finished the 5k, we decided we'd try to complete several more 5k's and also shoot for a 10k. We found one in Lubbock and decided to give that one a try. We invited Christine and David to join us, as well as my sister. We started Hal Higdon's 10k training program the week after the 5k. The runs didn't feel any easier, but the pace was getting better so I knew we were making progress.

We eventually decided that we might as well train for the Half, as the 10k date fell in well with Hal Higdon's Half training program. So on the 11th of August we switched from the 10k program to the Half program.

Las Fiestas 5k

So the 5k arrived. I have a nervous stomach anyway so I was cautious about what I ate that morning-just a bland bagel. I had given up on my 30 minute time goal outwardly because we weren't moving very quickly on our training runs, but inwardly, I was still hoping I'd get there.

We got there early and put our numbers on and warmed up, meeting up with our friends David and Christine. I tried to act casual, but I was really worried about humiliating myself. We started in the middle of the pack, and were soon passed by most folks. I couldn't get over how quickly people started (even those I had my eye on as someone I could beat)! Jonathan ran with me for the first 2 miles, and I was so glad. I noticed at mile 1 that the pace was a little fast, but so many people were ahead of us that I couldn't see slowing down too much. Jonathan took off after mile 2, and I was left all by my lonesome. It was then that I actually started passing people (okay, they were walking, but I still passed them). I kept wondering how some of these folks were faring (I can't tell you how discouraged I was to see so many strollers and knee braces flying by me in mile 1), but mile 3 told the story. Tons of people walked on mile 3, and I was able to make up ground. I tried to encourage those I passed; some appreciated it; some gave me dirty looks. I kept on though because it gave me something to focus on other than my labored breathing.

Christine had finished way before me, but she came back to finish the race with me--such a good friend! Her encouragement was much needed and much appreciated. I finished in 30:27, but was still pleased because it said 30--"something"!