Let the Games Begin

Half Marathon Training round 2.

Week 1.

This week is funky because of the race in the middle of the week, but I've had some fun with it.

Sunday - Stretch & Strengthen
Off
Tough to start out strong while on vacation.  Too busy enjoying the Twins game to get going.

Monday - 3 Trail
2.86 miles - 27:14
When I knew my training was starting in Minnesota, I got excited!  I would return to the woods and the trail I would run on in high school - I feel like I know this trail so well it's scary, so what a great way to start off my training.  I haven't been able to run the whole thing since high school- the hills are killer, and running is always so inconsistent for me.  So I went for it in the heat (lots of upper 90's and humid in MN this week).  At just under the mile point, there is a HUGE 3-section hill that I always struggle with.  But this time, I beat it.  And I never stopped running other than about 10 seconds of crazy downhill to catch my breath (and not trip and die).  I miss running in the woods.

Tuesday - Off


Wednesday - Red, White, and BOOM! Twin Cities 1/2 Marathon Relay
5 miles - 51:57 - 10:23 pace
This is all kinds of a crazy story.  My friend and I decided a while ago that we were going to sign up for the half marathon relay on the 4th of July.  Sounds fun, right?  As we get closer, we see the forecast.    Hot.  Crazy-humid.  Miserable.  So I was starting to get nervous since I haven't really been running AND haven't ran in anything that hot since I lived in Florida.  On Monday, we get an email from Twin Cities in Motion saying that the run is shortened.  All participants would be running 5 miles.  Because of the heat & humidity and several factors that are affected as a result, it would be too dangerous for the event to happen as planned.  After lots of disappointed post flooded their facebook page, it was finally race day.  We headed to the start line and it was already HOT.  Mid 80's and humid at the 6:30 start, only increasing as the sun came up.  The first 2 miles were great considering I haven't really ran in a month and the heat.  Mile 3 was ok, but I felt myself starting to slip.  Mile 4 was brutal, and I had to stop for a wee bit at probably the 3.25-3.5 mark.  Then I got myself going again and headed for the home stretch.  The race ended on one of my favorite places in MN, the Stone Arch Bridge.  As I ran the last few hundred yards, I waved at my parents and girlfriend who came to support, and weaved in and out of people, sprinting to the finish line.  The time was not impressive.  The race was great but pretty miserable.  What a great kickoff week to this round of training, and I can't wait to see what's in store for the next 12 weeks!

 

Thursday - 3 + Strength
Do Life 5K - 3.08 Miles - 32:45 - 10:38 pace
This is the reason I woke up at 5AM in MN to drive back to Denver - so I could make it back in time for the Do Life 5K.  After participating last year right after I moved to Denver, I wanted to try to make it back in time, and I did!

What an awesome time!  It felt great to get out for a run, and to chat with people at the race.  Just like last year, I am inspired by the people that showed up to this, and when we talked, their stories of their accomplishments lit another fire inside.  The feeling that I can do this is unbeatable, and this is hopefully another spark that will help lead me to success through this chapter of the journey.  What a great group of people!

Friday - Off


Saturday - 3
2.05 miles - 20:52 - 10:08 pace
2 things made this run a little rocky.  1.  I am dogsitting for one of my coworkers and I decided to take her along for the run.  It was a little hot, so she was panting the whole way.  She made it just fine, but at a fairly slow trot and I didn't want to push her too hard.  2.  I've still been eating like crap this week, so it's tough to get back into training and feeling healthy.


Sunday - 5
0 miles
Today's run did not happen.  I have been feeling super tired and not yet caught up on sleep after my trip to MN.  So a nap happened instead of a run.  Not happy about it, but not the end of the world.  Next week will be better!  Overall, I'm happy with week one.




Weekly Weigh In

Peak weight:  284

Training starting weight:  228

Current weight:  225.8

Training goal weight:  209 (75 lb mark)

Comments:  I am going to be doing my "official" weigh-ins on Friday mornings to monitor my progress.  This was a good week 1.  I know that once I just start getting active again, the weight will drop off pretty quickly.  So this is about what I expected.  These next couple weeks should show some good progress, but the true test will be when I start to hit the next plateau.