Plugging along...

So I have been running regularly for a couple of months now. It still doesn't come easily but every run is better. I'm determined to run that half marathon in April so I will stick with it. Say a few prayers for me please!

And we are in week 1 of a 28 week program

I have a schedule in my phone that tells me what I need to do on what day for the next 28 weeks. I am doing an 8 week 5K program that ends with the Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving morning. I ran it a couple of years ago and it was fun. The I have an 8 week 10K program that ends with a 10K the weekend of Feb 2-3 but I cannot find a 10K that weekend in Michigan or Ohio so I am thinking about taking a trip to Florida for that one. I am researching it right now. On Feb 4th I start my 12 week half marathon training. I have the plan and the will so I'm taking it one day at a time. My training is my priority and I'm going slow to avoid any injuries.

I can use some support and someone to keep me accountable. I have enlisted my co-worker, Michelle, to run with me and she is going to do the long runs with me on the weekends. That is really going to help keep me motivated. It isn't so easy to blow off when someone is expecting you to join them. Thank Michelle. I also have some students willing to do my weekly shorter runs with me. Bless their hearts...what student wants to run with their teacher? Apparently mine do. I love these kids.

Slow and steady wins the race...Just call me Tina Turtle.

Let's get started early this year!

I have not given up my dream to run the Glass City Half Marathon. I have a new strategy this year. I am starting to train now. I will do my intense training the weeks before the marathon but I'm not waiting to start until then. Wish me luck and say a little prayer I will run it this year.

Waiting...waiting...waiting...

I was all ready to run this Sunday for the Glass City Marathon. I had a little set back but came back and was feeling strong again. Then came Cheri...she is due to have Jayden any minute and was having early signs of labor. I thought long and hard and decided not to race. There will many more races for me but never another first grandchild. I am okay with my decision. I will continue to run...and dance.

4 Miles...

Well today was my first Sunday long run. I wasn't very happy with my performance. I should have ran outside but I opted to shop and run at night on the treadmill. Friday I had a nice 3 mile run behind the school, on the trails, and into the park. I thought I was ready for today...not so much. I ended up walk/running a lot of the 4th mile. The nice thing is that I repeat the week at the same mileage. There must be something to this training; they know what they are doing and I need to push it a bit harder this week before my mileage goes up. I still did it, but not perfectly. I have to give myself a break and credit for doing it at all and it will all come together if I keep working towards my goal.

Beginning race training - Week 1

So today is the first day of the rest of my life. Isn't that true of every day? No, today is special. I just did my first day of training for my half marathon in April. Guess what?..today I didn't even run. Today was strength and stretch. I decided to do my ab dvd today. I am in the mood to run. That will be tomorrow...3 miles...Wed...2 miles...Thurs...3 miles...Fri...Rest...Sat...Cross...Sun...4 miles. In the middle of that I need to do Zumba on Tuesday and Thursday, plus practice new songs, plus I signed up for a Zumba Zam on Sunday after my long run. I'm either going to be dead or in great shape after all this. Here I go...wish me luck!

Failure

I just have to say a little bit about failure. I don't like to do it. It really bothered me when I had to give up my training last year. I didn't want to talk about it and I didn't want to think about it. Now that I am training again this year I know I need to address it. I'm afraid of failing again. I worry if my knees will hold out. I worry that Cheri will go into labor while I am running. I worry if my heart is strong enough (physically and mentally). I worry that I will let myself down. I worry I will embarrass myself. I worry I don't have enough discipline. Then I remember I had all these worries with every other goal I have given myself and I make sure I am successful in the goals that are important to me. This goal is important so it will be a priority. Wish me luck!

It is getting easier...

I am running 2 miles on a regular basis now and start my 3 miles on Sunday. It seems to be getting easier and easier so that makes me happy. I use Zumba as my crosstraining and yoga, weights, and stomach exercises as my strength training. I'm feeling pretty good except for some knee pain. It doesn't hurt when I am running but it aches afterwards. I was told to get a knee band so I will be picking one up tonight.

My cousin Kelly has been running marathons for a while now and I read her blog detailing all her adventures with her running groups. I have to find a running group here to keep me motivated and accountable. She is a working mother with 2 young girls so I should be able to do it too. The only problem is I have 15 years on her. I still can do this.

I start my half marathon training a week from Monday. I'm ready! Set! Run!