OUCH!

Taking a little running break.

Beach!

It has been a gorgeous week at the beach! I have run once on 30a and a little on the beach. Also, Mike and I have gone on 2 bike rides, which were really fun. I am having an upper hamstring issue, which is drving me crazy...especially since I have been so careful to follow the half training EXACTLY. Oh well, I can't change anything so I will just go with what my body is allowing for now. I am going to get back into training this week when we get home and just see if I can do it. If not, that is okay, I am going to start riding my road bike more. If my running is good, then it looks like a half in October!

Either way it is good!

Today

Cooler weather...up and out when it was still dark. It was so nice and peaceful, even if my upper hamstring is killing me. Sciatica???...I hope not. 6 miles...endurance wise could definitely run a half...muscles, joints, nerves not wanting to let me!

We are having a family fall break and headed to the beach for a week or so. Can't wait!

Continuing on with training, BUT I have a hamstring issue that I am trying to work through. Headed to the bike shop today for adjustments. I am pretty sure the bike is causing it. We will see.

Update: Yes...my bike needed adjustments. They looked at me right away on the trainer and said my saddle was not high enough. Hopefully this will rid me of the problem.

Week 2

Not much different from last week's.

Monday--2 miles faster pace
Tuesday--3 miles
Wednesday--rest from running (10.4 miles on bike)
Thursday--4 miles
Friday--rest from running (13 miles on bike)
Saturday--3 miles


I LOVE my new road bike! It has been so much fun! I want to ride longer and faster but that will come with time. The mileage will be going up some this next week for my half training and as the mileage increases I may not be able to ride my bike as much. Getting the half marathon done is top priority for now...but I will will ride for fun as I can. Maybe after the half I can ride more consistently. I would love to ride in a touring type race...maybe 30 miles or so. Sounds like fun!

This week we have a lot going on. Gracie moves into Union on Friday! Wow...time has flown by and it is actually here!!! This week I am making some of her favorite meals and we are going to be having some family *down* time as we enjoy this last week with her home. Please pray for us as we allow our first born child to leave home.

First Week Down

My first week of "half training" is over and it was an easy week. I have lowered my mileage to follow the training schedule exactly and not do too much too fast. I have a tendency to do that!

Monday--2 miles
Tuesday--3 miles
Wednesday--rest/strength training(been doing lots of weights lately)
Thursday--3 miles
Friday--rest from running, but 12 miles on bike.
Saturday-4 miles
Sunday--rest

I'm loving the rest days(more than I usually have) and it is helping so much...I will be following this basic schedule for 12 weeks with the mid week run getting slightly longer every 2 weeks and the long run getting longer until I am up to a 10 mile run the week before the half. I am using a novice schedule, so it is lighter than some plans.

Now that I have my new road bike, I am hoping to ride a couple of times a week and just get used to the bike. After the half marathon on October I want to bike more for a while. I really like it alot after 2 rides this week. Mike and I have an anniversary weekend coming up and we are taking our bikes to ride a longer trail(about 28 scenic miles...actually, I looked this up and not quite that much). Should be lots of fun!

Half Marathon Training Begins Today!

And I ran a great distance of 2 miles. Woohoo! I am following Hal Higdon's novice plan so that I can take it easy these first few weeks. I have changed up the days some, because I always run my long run on Saturday instead of Sunday, which is my rest day/church day. Honestly, these 2 miles were hard for me...I think because I usually warm up at the 1.5 mile mark and then it gets easier after that. I never made it to the *after that* enjoyable running time. This week will be 2,3,3,and 4 with some strength training in between. It feels like I am going backwards, but I don't want to jump ahead...slow and steady wins the race, right?

This was the runner's world quote of the day and is fitting for me as I train:

It is better, I think, to begin easily and get your running to be smooth and relaxed and then to go faster and faster.

Henry Rono, champion runner

Happy Running!