Honk If You're a Runner!

Alright folks, today marks the start of Week 2 in my Half Marathon training.

Source

I was scheduled to do a 30minute run, and I did. I actually ran a little further than 30 minutes- mostly because when I started out on my run, I decide I was going to do a different route. Instead of just shooting for a 2 mile/30 minute run, I opted to do 2.3 miles. The whole run actually took 33:10, which is pretty awesome if you ask me. I hit the 2 mile mark exactly at 30minutes. Woot woot!

As I was running today, I had numerous vehicles honk and wave as they drove by. It was kind of flattering and super supportive! My favorite was the truck that drove past, just as I hit the end of my run and started to walk. The man slowed down a bit, stuck his head out the window and yelled, "Don't give up honey! You can do it!" I waved and smiled, and debated if I should respond, but I was too busy catching my breath.
If I do run into that guy another day, I will be sure to let him know that I didn't give up and I definitely don't intend on doing so. EVER.

My run was pretty nice- cool weather, new path, kept a faster pace for a longer amount of time, felt good for the first 20 minutes before I started to feel myself slowing down. The only concern I had was as I was around 25minutes, my abs on my left side started to feel like they were pinching. Maybe it was from trying to make sure I continued to hold myself upright? I don't know. It didn't hurt or anything, just felt weird.

Anyway, sorry it's such a short update! I've got a very busy week ahead of me- lots of work and rehearsals till late because I open a new show this weekend. YAY!!

Every New Beginning

First off, let me say thank you to everyone who left me a comment on my last post. You don't know how much I appreciated hearing all of your supportive and kind words. Truly, thank you!

I had a moment of clarity in between bouts of craziness yesterday.
I've decided that instead of trying to continuously revamp and re-do my plans to reach my goals for this year, I'm just going to start over.

Simple as that.

Today is a new beginning. I'm starting fresh and excited. And, I have new goals!

Turns out I won't be able to do the Diva Long Island Half this year. So, instead, I'm going to do the ING Hartford half again. Why not? I had a blast last year! I'm also in the works of making sure I can get to the Disney Princess Half in February next year (but more to come on that later).

I have been doing some research and I think I found a great training program (designed by Jeff Galloway nonetheless). It's 19 weeks and the runs seems pretty doable. 3 runs a week, plus one easy walk. I realized this past weekend, just how out of shape my body is again. I haven't really run in awhile (though I have gotten to the gym and done arc trainer and elliptical machines- not the same though).When I finished my Race in the Park 5k this past Saturday, I was SORE. I mean, felt like those 3.1 miles were actually 13.1 miles, sore. Today is the first day that I can walk without wincing. That, to me, is unacceptable! I used to have no problem running 3.1 miles and being only slightly sore the next day and I want to get back to that.

I've even started setting up a support system to help me stay on track. I've asked family members, my boyfriend, and coworkers to help me make sure I do my runs and stay disciplined on my training. I'm printing out my training schedule so that everyone has a copy so I have no excuse like, "I can't remember what I have to do today". I WANT to be held accountable for my training. I've even come up with some back-up plans in case a morning run is missed (keeping an extra pair of running gear in my car so on my lunch break, I can sneak in a short run). I feel confident that I can do this.

I'm hoping that you all will hold me accountable as well. I truly feel that a huge part of my success last year at the half marathon was because I was blogging so often and you all were amazing enough to leave comments, supportive notes, tips, tricks, advice, etc. I want to do that again. I'm going to start off slow and work my way up (just like with my training). My goal is to blog 2 times a week, then 3, then 4, etc, etc. Even if I didn't run or train on a particular day, I still want to blog. I may even give my blog a face-lift (if I can figure out how to work this new blogger layout. ugh.).

Sound like a plan to yall? Seems like a good start to me!
Cheers to a new beginning!!