Week 2

Week 2 started on Christmas Day. After a light breakfast and opening gifts, I ran 3 miles around my parents' neighborhood in Texas.  It was cold and drizzly, but I was glad to get it out of the way in the morning.  Maybe it boosted my metabolism enough to offset all the spinach/sausage dip that Mom made that evening?!

My run on Tuesday was pretty uneventful. I ran 4 fairly easy miles.

My long run of the week was 5 miles, and I did it after work this evening. The run was pretty good until the last .25 miles.  I felt like I hit my wall then, but I pushed through and got it done.

Now I'm going to sit back and spend the rest of the evening watching the Thunder-Mavs game on TV. The condensed NBA schedule is already wearing me out, and it's only the first week of the season. This is the Thunder's fourth game this week! It seems like all I do is work, sleep, run, and watch Thunder basketball!

Week 1

I started my 19 week program on Sunday morning with a 3 mile run. Because of the rain and cold weather, I didn't run Monday or Tuesday. I did 4 mile runs after work on Wednesday and Friday.

SmartCoach

After searching the internet for a training program, I finally decided on a customized plan from Runner's World SmartCoach.  What I liked about this program over others is that it's based on information that I provide rather than being some standard plan.  I input my pace from my last 5k, the date of my half marathon, which day of the week I want to do my long runs, etc.  The results were a 19 week program that started on Sunday, Dec 18 and goes to race day.  The first several weeks only have me running 3 days/week.  That will allow me some day-to-day flexibility in the schedule, which is good since who knows what the winter weather will be like over the next few weeks.  As I get closer to my half marathon, I will start running 4 days/week.

There's also a SmartCoach iPhone app that I looked at, but I went with the plan on the website.  The iPhone app looks good, but there's not as many ways to customize the plan on it.  Also, the plans on the iPhone app only go out a max of 16 weeks.  Both the web tool and iPhone app are free, but you can choose to upgrade (for a fee) to get even more customization features.  I'll stick with the free tool for now.

Getting started

In early September, I started training for my first 10k.  I didn't have an organized race that I was working toward, but I like having a program to keep me on track.  After I completed the 9-week 10k program, I figured I might as well take it to the next level.  Before I totally thought it out, I made the error of telling my younger brother that I might want to do a half marathon at some point.  Within just a few days, he sent me a copy of "Runner's World Complete Book of Women's Running" and a subscription to "Runner's World" magazine.  He also took it upon himself to register me for a half marathon in April 2012.  


I was never much of an athlete growing up, and while I've done a few 5ks over the years, I just never got hooked on running before.  Something happened this fall, though.  I've grown to cherish my time running.  I need that time now!  It's a time that I can listen to music, think, pray, and process everything that's going on.  I also love that I've lost those few pesky pounds that have been hanging around for the last couple years.


The OKC Memorial Marathon is April 29, 2012.  That's 19 weeks from yesterday.