Tuesday, April 26, 2011
Podcast Person
I've never been a 'podcast' person. But I am converting! My friend Corey recommended NPR's Fresh Air (specifically the interview with Tina Fey) and it was great! I've since subscribed to several podcasts including: Manic Mommies, Wait Wait Don't Tell me, Jillian Michaels, and Bill Simmons. For my runs that are 45min-1hr, a podcast is the perfect length. It's also nice to take a break from my usual playlists. I love Britney, Ke$ha, and Kanye but I love them even more when I don't hear them for a day or two!
1 week down
So, I completed my first week on 'the plan'. Ran 31 miles...my most miles in a week to date. This included my longest run (distance-wise) of 11mi. I mapped out a route and decided to include part of the Indian Hills neighborhood. Not the smartest decision on my part. There were LOTS of hills on my route and my time was over my goal. However, I felt like it was a good representation of what race day might bring. I don't know the course in Worcester AT ALL. I have looked at it on-line and I know there will be hills. I've got hill repeats coming up in my training next week and most of my daily runs include at least 1 hill.
I'm feeling good. A little sore but that is to be expected when you have not done strength training in MONTHS! I have been able to fit in all the workouts as scheduled which is no easy task with all of the stuff the kids have going on. I am so thankful for our au pair, Christine. I don't know when I'll do all of my running when she leaves in September (not going to think about that!!!)
This week is a little bit lighter since last week was stacked. I'm running my 3rd 5K on Saturday @ Sope Creek Elementary School. I'm looking forward to getting another race under my belt. I have not run a 5K since January so it will be interesting to see if my time improves.
I'm feeling good. A little sore but that is to be expected when you have not done strength training in MONTHS! I have been able to fit in all the workouts as scheduled which is no easy task with all of the stuff the kids have going on. I am so thankful for our au pair, Christine. I don't know when I'll do all of my running when she leaves in September (not going to think about that!!!)
This week is a little bit lighter since last week was stacked. I'm running my 3rd 5K on Saturday @ Sope Creek Elementary School. I'm looking forward to getting another race under my belt. I have not run a 5K since January so it will be interesting to see if my time improves.
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
The Plan
When I started running and wanted to run a 10K, I just started to run. I didn't have a plan or a schedule. I got on the treadmill most mornings while Sean napped. I knew I could run a 5K (3.1 miles). I slowly added a 1/4 mile, a 1/2 mile. Then I ran the 10K. And I started to think. Could I do more? Was a 1/2 marathon possible? I looked at some on-line training programs. I started running a semi-regular schedule of 3-4 runs during the week and one long run on the weekend. I built a good base.
But I was worried. Was I running enough? Was I running too much? What about hills? Intervals? Tempo Runs? I needed some guidance. I turned to my friend Kamden (a sorority sister from Tufts). Kamden is an incredible athlete. Running, biking, swimming, endurance races. She is a machine. And she's a certified personal trainer. We chatted a bit and she came up with THE PLAN. Running, strength training, cross-training. THE PLAN has it all.
I am 2 workouts away from completing the first week on THE PLAN. And I'm still (barely) standing. Stay tuned!
But I was worried. Was I running enough? Was I running too much? What about hills? Intervals? Tempo Runs? I needed some guidance. I turned to my friend Kamden (a sorority sister from Tufts). Kamden is an incredible athlete. Running, biking, swimming, endurance races. She is a machine. And she's a certified personal trainer. We chatted a bit and she came up with THE PLAN. Running, strength training, cross-training. THE PLAN has it all.
I am 2 workouts away from completing the first week on THE PLAN. And I'm still (barely) standing. Stay tuned!
Baby, you were born to run
The year I become a 'runner'
I have always loved to run.
I just never thought I could ever be a 'runner'.
When I played soccer, the coach always yelled for me to 'run back quickly'. In high school, I played field hockey, always on defense since I wasn't known for my speed. I never tried track or cross-country. I never felt like I could run. During college and my first years in the working-world, my workouts were few and far between.
And then marriage, babies...life happened. Allie was born in November 2003 and Ryan 19 months later in July 2005. I didn't have the energy to walk up the stairs, nevermind exercise! When I came out of my fog of having 2 under 2yo, I started working out regularly. I took a variety of classes but really loved zumba! I also started taking a class called Tread Ahead. The class is like spinning but on a treadmill. You are running at different speeds and inclines during a 45minute class. At first, I could barely make it through the class. My wonderful friend Susan teaches the class and she made it so much fun. Even though it hurt and it was difficult, I kept coming back. That class reminded me that I love to run.
After another (not so little) bump of Baby Sean arriving in May 2010, I made a decision. I decided that 2011 would be the year that I become a runner. I want to run for me. I want to feel better about myself. I want to run for my family. I want to be a good example for my kids. I want to run to be healthy. To be happy. To be a better me.
I have run over 300 miles since January 1, 2011. I started out on the treadmill...mostly running 3-4mi. After a month, I ventured outside and stretched the runs to 4-5mi. I started adding 1 mile for a long run once a week and hit 10 miles on April 1st.
I ran my first 5K in November (Mt. Bethel Fun Run) in 28:10. My 2nd 5K (JFBC Polar Bear in Jan 11) was 26:51. My original running goal was to train to run the Peachtree Road Race (10K) in July. I was able to run my first 10K in February (Chatt Road Runners) in 52:56 and my 2nd 10K in March (Choate Run the River) in 53:09. I am now training to run my first half-marathon (Worcester 1/2 Marathon) on June 5th.
I am completely and totally addicted to running. There are worse things I could be addicted to, right?
I just never thought I could ever be a 'runner'.
When I played soccer, the coach always yelled for me to 'run back quickly'. In high school, I played field hockey, always on defense since I wasn't known for my speed. I never tried track or cross-country. I never felt like I could run. During college and my first years in the working-world, my workouts were few and far between.
And then marriage, babies...life happened. Allie was born in November 2003 and Ryan 19 months later in July 2005. I didn't have the energy to walk up the stairs, nevermind exercise! When I came out of my fog of having 2 under 2yo, I started working out regularly. I took a variety of classes but really loved zumba! I also started taking a class called Tread Ahead. The class is like spinning but on a treadmill. You are running at different speeds and inclines during a 45minute class. At first, I could barely make it through the class. My wonderful friend Susan teaches the class and she made it so much fun. Even though it hurt and it was difficult, I kept coming back. That class reminded me that I love to run.
After another (not so little) bump of Baby Sean arriving in May 2010, I made a decision. I decided that 2011 would be the year that I become a runner. I want to run for me. I want to feel better about myself. I want to run for my family. I want to be a good example for my kids. I want to run to be healthy. To be happy. To be a better me.
I have run over 300 miles since January 1, 2011. I started out on the treadmill...mostly running 3-4mi. After a month, I ventured outside and stretched the runs to 4-5mi. I started adding 1 mile for a long run once a week and hit 10 miles on April 1st.
I ran my first 5K in November (Mt. Bethel Fun Run) in 28:10. My 2nd 5K (JFBC Polar Bear in Jan 11) was 26:51. My original running goal was to train to run the Peachtree Road Race (10K) in July. I was able to run my first 10K in February (Chatt Road Runners) in 52:56 and my 2nd 10K in March (Choate Run the River) in 53:09. I am now training to run my first half-marathon (Worcester 1/2 Marathon) on June 5th.
I am completely and totally addicted to running. There are worse things I could be addicted to, right?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)