And So Week 2 Begins!

As of today, I am officially on track with my training!  Because I started late last week, I had to switch some days around to make sure I got both my run days and my rest days in.  Now that I am in sync with my training schedule, it should stay that way.  Today I decided to do the 2 mile loop around my apartment complex.  While I have been able to run that distance for some time now, I had been having trouble with this particular route because of the hills during the last half mile.  This time, I was able to do it without any difficulties!  I didn't time it this time because I forgot my iPod, and honestly, it was nice to run for once without worrying about how I was doing.  I think I will do all of my easy runs like that from now on.  It helps me focus more on running instead of constantly checking on my time.

This week begins the steady climb of increasing mileage every Saturday.  This Saturday, I am supposed to reach 4 miles, which I have not done in at least 6 months, but I am confident that I can do it as long as I stay on schedule.  From here on out my Saturday runs will increase by 1 mile each week.  Thank goodness the weather is starting to warm up, even if it's going a little slowly.

I'm  planning on hitting the gym sometime tomorrow in between studying.  Speaking of studying, it's about time I get back to it!  I shall return!

Officially Started Training

I got started with my training a little late this week because of a million things going on, but I did finally get started.  I ended up using the training program from  http://www.fitsugar.com/Half-Marathon-Training-Schedule-Beginners-2845222.  I decided to go with this one because it will get me up to 12 miles before my race rather than just 11.  Since I just got started today, I just did the 2.5 miles I was supposed to do on Thursday.  I signed up for a month-to-month gym membership and ran on the indoor track.  It took me about 30 minutes, which is a little slow, even for me.  On my cross-training days, I'm going to work on increasing my speed.

I'm also going to add in some strength training.  It's been a longgg time since I've done real strength training (I'm talking high school), so it may take me a little bit to get back into things.  I did a few weight exercises today just to test the waters a little bit.

I think I'm going to like working out at this gym.  It's really nice, clean, and not crowded, which means you don't have to wait around for weights or machines.  I'll still do my long runs on one of the local trails, but I'll use the gym for weights and for when the weather keeps me from running outside.

Oh, and one last thing.  I officially registered and paid for my spot in the Varmint Half Marathon in June.  This means no backing out now! :)

I have never done a blog post before, but I figured I would start somewhere.  I will primarily use this as a way to talk about my runs as I train for my first half-marathon.  I am a little intimidated by the thought of running 13.1 miles, but I said I would do it, so no backing out now!  The race I am trying to do is on June 8th, so I have about 13 1/2 weeks to prepare.  I'm going to use the Nike Women's Beginner Half Marathon training guide, which is 12 weeks long.  My goal is to reach 4 miles by Sunday, and then begin the half marathon training.

Now, before I begin, let me start off by saying, I am slow. Really slow.  I'm just under 5 feet tall, which is not very useful for going fast.  My goal is to try to get faster during my cross training days and on my short runs.  Hopefully I can get my one mile time to around 9 minutes.  If I can do that by the time I finish, I will be happy.

Enough of all the background info, now for some actual running stuff.  A few days ago, I reached my first goal of 3 miles for the first time in several months.  It was snowing, and there was a windchill of about 16 degrees.  To say it was a challenge would be an understatement.  I'm used to running in 70 degree weather on flat land.  Despite having to stop for a few seconds three times to catch my breath, I did it, and the conditions I ran in just made reaching my goal that much sweeter.