Plan for half marathon

I signed up for the Glass City Half Marathon on April 22nd. I am starting my training today. My official marathon training starts at the beginning of February but I am starting today to get myself comfortable at the 3 mile distance. I'm going to run 1 mile for a couple of weeks, 2 miles for a couple of weeks, then 3 miles for a week or so. At that point the official training starts. I have it all mapped out on a calendar so I am ready and pumped. I'm really excited for this race. I attempted it last year but health issues got in the way. I am healthy, 50 years old, and ready for the challenge! Wish me luck!!!

My thoughts on runners...

I really don't feel like a "runner" yet. People fall into 2 categories - runners and non runners. I have felt like a runner on an off through my life but I haven't felt like a runner in years now. This does not mean I don't run, it means that I only run after everything else in my life is taken care of. If you know me you know that that doesn't happen very often. I am 50 years old now and I am very aware that keeping myself in shape will contribute to my quantity and quality of life. I don't want to be a feeble old woman. I want to be the type of woman that people don't even think about my age. This means I need to make me a priority. I can talk the talk but can I walk the walk? I am challenging myself and setting goals for my life.

Say a little prayer for me...

Let's try this again...

It is October and I just received the sign up email for the Glass City Marathon. I didn't train properly for it last year and ended up skipping the race. I had just had surgery and still did not feel 100%. This year is different. I am 50 years old and have 2 grandbabies on the way. I really, really want to do this so I'm signing up again for the race and I will start my training earlier this year. I want to run the Turkey Trot again on Thanksgiving; I did it last year but quit running after the race because of my gall bladder. It is gone now so I should be physically strong this year. I will prepare for the 5K and work from there for my 1/2 marathon in April. I'm ready...bring it on!

One week down and sprinting into week 2!

I'm starting my second week of training and am really sore. I can't wait until I am over that hump. I am working through it. I am pushing my body everyday and seeing results, even if it is coming slowly. I just keep thinking how I am going to get from today to April 17th? Slow and steady wins the race. I'm just impatient and want to be in fighting condition now!

The treadmill is getting old. I can't wait until this weather warms up and I can take to the road. I have discovered that running to Zumba music helps me run faster. I am learning new music for my classes and taking advantage of the energy from my Latin obsession. The only problem is that I am choreographing songs in my head while running. Sometimes I start dancing to them which can be very dangerous on a treadmill : 0

Just Do It!

All through college and with a divorce, 3 teens, a dying father, and all the little stressors in my life, I used to say over and over in my head, "Just Do It." The famous Nike slogan got my papers written, court cases resolved, and helped me in taking care of Dad. I try to remind others to live by those 3 little words. They are so powerful.

Into my first week of 1/2 marathon training, I find myself saying those words to myself daily. I also just learned a new one, "Inhale God, exhale the devil." (BTW, I refuse to capitalize the devil. He isn't worth the time.) The new mantra has helped me sleep, relax, and keep focused. By the time I do it 6 or 7 times, I can't remember why I was stressed in the first place. It's kinda cool. It also helps me breathe through the running when I would usually give up. I think I am going to use both of these on race day.

Week one is going well: Monday I ran 2 miles and power walked for an hour, Tuesday was Zumba, today I ran 2 miles this morning and am walking again after school and before bowling, tomorrow will be Zumba, Friday is rest day, and Saturday is my 4 mile run.

I am also on a 5 day diet to kick start my metabolism and clear my system. My stomach has been messed up since fall and I am trying get rid of it being an issue in my everyday life.

Balance, everyday is balance.

The fun begins....

Well, this is my first official week of training. It started off with a rest day on Sunday (hmmm???) Anyway, my run on Monday was a 3 mile run. Since I am still recovering from my infection, am power walking with Lisa, teaching Zumba, and working another full + time job, I decided that I would start with 2 miles. I wanted to make sure I was were I needed to be. Zumba helps me keep my stamina up but it uses totally different muscles.

My biggest challenge is trying to find where my runs fit into my crazy schedule. I am trying to get up early to get them done in the morning, but if you know me, you know I don't do mornings well. Why I ever picked a job that starts at 7:30 in the morning is beyond me. It is really nice getting done at 2:30 every day though. Afternoons are filled with Anna and errands. In the evening there is dinner, Paul time, critter time, and I am exhausted. So, I will continue to get up at 5 am and fill my running needs. When it warms up I will take it outside after school. I also have no problem with my long runs on the weekends. I have to fit hubby time, kid time, doggy time, horse time, household project time, cooking time, and cleaning my house time in all this too. It is all a balancing act that I am learning how to juggle. Paul has been an angel about helping with the critter and the house. I come home and the dishes and laundry are done, the horse stall is cleaned, and he has something in the crock pot. On top of this, I got in my car yesterday and knew I needed gas so I had that on my errands route. When I got in my car it was on full. I love that man. He is so supportive in anything I decide to do.

OK, here is the demon inside of me...Can I really do this? I'm kind of stubborn when I set a goal, but I also make excuses when I don't fulfill my obligations. Am I going to pretend I am superwoman and keeping on track, or am I going to slack privately? These are my fears. Training (and I am just beginning) really plays with your head. I am my own worst enemy sometimes.

I bought Women's Running and Runner's World this weekend. I already read the first one. The tips for a new "serious" runners are essential. I swear I didn't even think of half the things they talk about. I'm just going out there and running a race; no big deal. I don't know if I should keep that attitude and stay unstressed, or take all this advice and feel like I'm not doing the right thing according to the pros. I have no idea if this makes sense or not, but these are the ramblings going on in my head.

Tonight is Zumba night and I have a new routine to practice so I am outta here. I'm on my planning time and I have this huge room and 45 minutes so I'm taking advantage of it. Bubbye

Easy runs and Zumba

My official training doesn't start until later this month so my veteran runners have told me to take is easy so I don't get early burn out. This is hard since I feel like a horse in the starting gate. I wanna run! I have been running a couple of miles here and there but mostly I have been concentrating on my Zumba routines so they will be all ready when I am training and can't spend as much time on new dances.

The fear of failure, injury, or illness is kicking in big time. I want to prove to myself that this 49 year body still has what it takes to keep up with the big dogs. I probably should have done a marathon years ago but I never had the desire until now. I have read many stories of runners starting out older than I am and doing full marathons. I can do it. I can do it. I can do it.

It has been a day of mental preparation...

I have spent hours on the Internet today researching tips for training for my 1/2 marathon. The D-day is April 17th and I am constantly aware of this day approaching. I have looked at many training schedules and I found one that is perfect for my life. My cross trainings are Tuesday and Thursday and those are my Zumba days. I have mapped out routes for different goals, which is pretty easy when all the major roads around here are in 1 mile blocks. I just worry about running on the road but I guess I am going to have to get over that.

I found out little things I didn't know on the dozens of websites I have been looking through. One thing I never thought of is that I will need clothes to change into after the race. I didn't know about the energy drinks and energy bars they give you. I didn't know you got money if you win. I didn't know the top runners in the full marathon will qualify for the Boston Marathon. I recently found out that you have to grease yourself so you don't chaff. I also found you need a special diet so you don't poop your britches. Then there is that part of me that drives my family crazy, I have to pee every 5 minutes. I know these aren't pleasant situations to talk about but they are important.

All this info is overwhelming but I sure am glad I know ahead of time. I'm sure there is going to be things I wish I would have know when it is all done.

I have also learned some things about myself; I am very stubborn when I decide to do something. I also learned that I always need a challenge in my life or I get restless. I am also always trying to improve myself - this is a good and bad thing. Having goals is important to keep the mind, spirit and body young, but it needs to balance with being comfortable in your skin. The goals in our lives should be because we want adventure, not change who we are.

I never realized that this journey would change me. It could have been the Zumba tattoo I got yesterday too - lol. I never thought I would do it but I felt so comfortable with my decision. It is so me. I'm finally hitting that point that I do what I do for me. I feels good!

2011 and the training begins!

It is January 3rd and I have started my training for my half marathon. I haven't ran since before Christmas because I had my gallbladder out but I am back and ready to go. I ran 2 miles this morning at 5 am on the treadmill. I want to run 4 miles by the end of January, 8 miles by the end of February, and 12 miles by the end of March. If I can do that, the 13 miles in April should be a piece of cake. I have my training schedule and my body is ready for the challenge. I have to balance the running with the Zumba and the walking I will be doing with Lisa. Zumba is Tuesdays and Thursdays and I will have shorter runs in the mornings on Mon, Wed, Fri, and a long run on Sundays (or Saturdays if my schedule is full). Everyday that we are free, Lisa and I are going to walk for an hour after work too. I also have some cross training sessions for strength.

I'm either going to be in really great shape or dead by April ; )

One happy runner!!!

I ran a 5K on Thanksgiving!!!

My goal for 2010 was to run a 5K and I did the Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving. I ran slow, but I finished and that is what was important. Cheri and Anna came to cheer me on in the freezing cold. I started in the front with the die-hard runners. I wanted to get the feel of their adrenaline. Most of them have little rituals they do before the race starts. Of course they all passed me up pretty quickly but it was fun while it lasted. Crossing that finish line felt great. Now I understand how people get hooked on races. I'm going to get my number laminated and frame it with my picture; then I'm going to compare it to how I look when I finish my 1/2 marathon in April!!!