How I Decided to Run a Half Marathon

Although I'm overwhelmingly busy right now I thought I'd take the time to answer a couple questions from last weeks Distance Dreamers post. Yes, I am again behind on my challenges but life itself is a challenge and I'm trying to keep up. :)  Distance Dreamers is a source of motivation and encouragement for me since I have made the decision to attempt my first half marathon

What made you decide you wanted to run a long distance race?
Wow what a question.  I do enjoy a challenge. I'd have to think back as to why I thought I could.   It isn't the Ragnar Relay because I thought about running a half before I thought about the Ragnar Relay.  I guess when the bug bit it took some time for me to catch the fever.  I think the final answer is I know others who have done it and I decided I could do it too I just didn't know how to get there.

Distance Dreamers

I just joined a new group called Distance Dreamers created by Abbi at Higher Miles.   The details can be found here.

I am running my first half marathon in October and this is yet another motivation source for me!  I start training for the half next week, which overlaps with the Ragnar training schedule.  I planned out my training schedule here. 

As a part of Distance Dreamers I'll be blogging about my progress along with other first time marathoners and half-marathoners  listed here to mutually encourage each other on our journey.  Follow me through the ups and downs of my training over the next 12 weeks as each day brings with it new lessons learned.  This is why I blog, to learn, to be motivated and to encourage!

The Beginner's Half-Marathon Training Plan

I've been researching training plans for the half marathon and here is what I think I've decided.  I guess I'm looking at a 12 week training program.  That would start my training on August 8th for the Monster Dash 1/2 Marathon on October 30th.  Since I'm training for the Ragnar Relay Great River until August 20th, I'll have to incorporate a 2 week overlap but it's all running so it should be fine. 

Lots of great articles on training out there. I grabbed the Beginner's Half Marathon Program from coolrunning.com.  I modified to make Sunday and Thursday "REST" days instead of Monday and Friday.  Rest Day is really a cross-training day, not necessarily a non-workout day which I find cool actually because I really miss my bike! (a fun future post subject.)

So for the overlap I'll use the last two weeks of my Ragnar Training Schedule and incorporate a weekly Fartlek (4M). (A new term for me and yet another future post subject!) 

I really like that there are two rest days, unlike the Ragnar plan.  On top of the running, I have my strength conditioning workouts 3-4 times per week and Yoga on Tuesday and Thursday.  I also look forward to learning how to do the Intervals (for speed) and Tempo Runs (for speed and pace).   I really hope I can learn to increase my speed and pace.

 

I'm excited about trying to follow another plan!  I can't even express the joys I find with running from emotional release to weight loss.  There is lots for me to learn in this training plan and I look forward to it! Each plan and each race keeps me going and this blog is my accountability.  All part of my life changing journey of running it off!  First half marathon, here I come!