Half Marathon Training Plan

I'm not really sure what I want out of this blog - I started it to keep track of my running progress mostly because if it was written down I'd be accountable. I've been so nervous to tell anyone about my beginning running in case I fail or quit or just plain suck. It took until I completed my first half-marathon last October that I even shared the blog with most people.

Anywho, since the new year I've been addicted to reading running blogs. It's weird, but I feel more connected with these strangers that blog about running than most people. I haven't joined a local running group as the Belleville one seems full of old people (I have no basis for this claim short of their website) and the Ann Arbor one intimidates me. AA is such a health-nut town and I just don't think I'd fit in.

I really do enjoy checking out everyone else's blogs and it keeps me going and let's me know I'm on the right track. I'm just not that good of a writer/runner/interesting person to have a super-exciting blog like they do and I'm okay with that.

I've been right on track on my training plan for a half-marathon for the past 3 weeks. I run on Tuesdays and Thursdays before work, long run on Saturdays and short recovery run on Sundays. It works out well for me. All runs are outside, since I'm too cheap for a treadmill (anyone wanna trade your treadmill for my elliptical??) and get bored on the TM at the gym and so I canceled my membership. The only part of the outside runs that I hate is the 1/8 mile from my neighborhood to the high school that doesn't have a sidewalk. I literally have to run through the snow in the front yard of 4 houses. It sucks, but it's only that first (and last) part of the run.

I got all sorts of awesome running gear for Christmas, including a long-sleeve tech shirt in obnoxiously bright yellow from my brother-in-law. Love it! It's perfect for my early morning runs when it's sometimes still dark. My mother-in-law is so sweet: she found a thin and silky pair of long underwear that she loved and thought I would love it too, so she ordered a set for me. I just got them from her last week and I LOVE THEM! The pants are perfect for underneath my running tights and my thighs no longer burn from the wind! I'm a bit too embarrassed to mention that I've worn the long sleeve top every day this week to bed, oh well. Thanks Carol - I love them!!

So yeah, three weeks down and feeling great about the training plan :) I have 7 weeks to go until the race - that's nothing! My long run is 6 miles so far and they have felt great. I'm just excited for the snow to melt and it to warm up a bit, since I should get much faster :) I still home home all sweaty and feel great!! So, I guess I'll just keep doing what I'm doing and see how it goes!

Short and Sweet Running Plans for 2011

Races:
Grosse Ile Half Marathon March 20th
Mt. Clemens Half Marathon April 30th
The Crim 10 mile Flint August 27th
Detroit Full Marathon October 16th


Times:
5K under 30 mins
10K under 1 hour
Half under 2 hours, 30 mins
Full just finish :)