4 weeks done

I've completed 4 weeks of my 12 week training program for the half marathon.  I've done the miles everyday with only one day of walking instead of running.  Overall I feel good.  I definitely feel stronger and I'm beginning to have faith that I really can do this.  I'm a bit intimidated at the next 8 weeks though.  My weekly short runs increase to 4 miles the next two weeks and my Sunday runs start creeping up.  I'll be running more miles in a week than I ever have before.  I need to have faith that my body can do this.  I know running is as much a mental sport as a physical sport.

Finally a good run!

After a week of hard runs (mostly because I've been sick) I finally had a good one today.  My schedule called for 3.5 miles and my friend and I did just that.  We even incorporated two good hills into our run.  The first mile I felt like crap probably because I haven't been pushing myself this week and I still don't feel well.  But after the halfway point I felt really good, strong and confident.  It was awesome.

In other news I am so excited to have a running partner and friend.  My coworker and I are both training for the same two half marathons this spring so we tend to run together 2-3 times a week.  I've only ever run with M before and he runs at a much faster pace so when he runs with me I know he's going slower and it's pretty easy for him.  Whereas my friend and I are at a similar pace so we both can struggle at times and it's been really nice to encourage each other.  It's also good to hold each other accountable for getting our training runs in.  I love it.  I think I've always been self conscious about how I run slow that I've been intimidated about running with anyone.  I don't know what I was thinking!

Walking

This flu still has me in bad shape.  My training plan called for 3.5 miles today but I just didn't have it in me.  I'm barely surviving working all day and the thought of running sounded like too much.  A coworker and I instead went out for a 3 mile walk.  Not quite the 3.5 we were supposed to do running but at least I did something.  Training for a half marathon is hard when you are sick.

5 miles with the flu

I got hit bad this weekend with the flu.  I was home from work on Friday spending the majority of the day in bed alternating between shivering and boiling up.  I just felt awful.  When Sunday came I knew I had to log in 5 miles.  I didn't know how I was going to do it.  I considered skipping it but thought I'd give it a try knowing it would not be pretty. 

I did it.  It was slow and painful.  I had to take a few short walking breaks but for the most part I ran the entire time.  Not my ideal run by any means but I feel good that I did it.

4 Miles

Week 2 of my half marathon training program.  Today's long run was for 4 miles.  M went with me pushing the boys in the double Bob.  I felt pretty good for the first mile.  M then encouraged me to do fartleks for the middle 2 miles.  Normally I don't do speed.  I'm usually so grateful that I'm running that the thought of pushing it and increasing speed sounds ridiculous.  But I did it.  I was surprised at how my recovery rate was faster than my normal rate of running.  I also felt strong the entire time.  I surprised myself.  Maybe I should consider speed work.

3 Runs in a Row

I've ran the past 3 days.  It's felt great.  In the past I've tried to run every other day to give my body a chance to rest.  But with my schedule this week I have been limited on when I could run so in order to get my runs in it meant 3 days in a row.  I was surprised though at how I still felt strong even on the third day.  Tuesday my left calf was tight but by Thursday I didn't notice anything.  I'm amazed at how the body does recovers faster when you stress it a bit.

The bonus though is that my 4th day is a rest day and it happened to fall on Friday which is dress down day at work.  Dress down day at work means Uggs!

Lafayette Reservoir

I had to get in a 3 mile run today.  I needed to tutor at 5pm in Lafayette so I figured I'd head to the Lafayette Reservoir after work and get my run in there.  I love the Lafayette Reservoir and I hate the Lafayette Reservoir.  I love that it is a beautiful loop and a well populated trail so I never worry about being out there with my headphones on.  I hate that it is hilly.  I don't run hills.  I avoid them.  The races I've chosen to run this year are all relatively flat.  M is always telling me I should incorporate some hill training into my workouts but I always resist.  We do have some beautiful trails around our home but they do involve hills. 

Today I said I was going to do it.  I ran almost the whole thing.  There was one hill that was just too long and I wasn't feeling it.  But other than that I ran the entire loop.  It felt great.  Next week I'm tackling it again only this time I will run the entire loop.

Favorite Pre or Post Run Snack

I've fallen in love with this trail mix as a pre or post run snack.  It's so good! 

Yet another reason I run

This caramel apple is HUGE!