Embracing This New World

My half marathon training is officially under way! I finally found a schedule and a routine that works for me - because I am all about having a routine. I see people who go to the gym and sort of wander around, use a machine here, use a machine there: with seemingly no rhyme or reason to their workout. Makes me crazy, I cannot do that! I simply can't. I plan ahead, I have a workout journal with everything that I am scheduled to do written out: nice and neat and orderly. And I do my workout in a specific order. That's how I roll. It works for me. So feeling lost and in between worlds was really hard for me and I am glad I got past that.

The main thing I had to do was let go of the P90X mentality. I latched on to that program a few years back, and even though I never attained the ripped physique touted by the program: I loved the weight workouts and the meal plan. I ate the phase 2 food and did a modified version of the program. When I started running I learned really quickly that I had to let go of all that. The high protein/low carb eating, the intensity of the weight training: that doesn't work with what I'm trying to accomplish. So I let it all go. I found a full body workout that is done 2x a week. I found a half marathon training program that I like that has me running 4x per week and allows for the weight training to fit into my schedule. So my week looks like this: Mon: rest day. Tues: run 5k/strength train. Wed: moderate run (4-6 miles/pace) Thur: run 5K/strength train, Fri: rest, Sat: long run, Sun: cross train (any non-weight bearing cardio for at least 60 mins) I'm going on my 3rd week of this schedule and I really, really like it.

As for the food; I am now eating 3 servings of complex carbs per day, 2 servings of protein, 1 dairy, 1-2 fruits; and 3 vegetables. I am not afraid to eat and definitely notice a big difference on the days I don't eat enough. I'm doing pretty good with sticking to the clean eating so overall I feel like the nutrition is under control.

So, on to the running! I've been mixing things up by meeting with a running group on Saturday mornings - and I've really been enjoying that. I've made some new friends and knowing that there are people getting up at the butt crack of dawn to go run motivates ME to do the same! 2 weeks ago I ran 9 miles; my longest distance to date. I was pretty stoked about that. I run hills at least once a week and have been trying to do my longer runs outside. 3 miles on the treadmill isn't too bad but more than that is starting to become difficult. I enjoy the stimulation of being outside; the peace, the fresh air, the feeling of freedom. I totally get why most runner hate the 'dreadmill'! I'm looking forward to more daylight/warmer days so I can take the majority of the runs outside. This weekend I have a 7K on Sunday, then back to ramping up the miles. I have no doubt in my mind that I will accomplish the half marathon!

As far as any physical issues; I've only had a couple. One thing is my Achilles tendons are pretty sore after I run. I am fairly certain that it's due to my heel strike and I'm working on it. It's gotten better, but I'm still aware of it. Another thing was my first experience with chafing. It was pretty annoying and embarrassing... I didn't know how to really talk to anyone about it so I Googled it. Found out I wasn't the only chick to experience 'that' kind of chafing, and got some tips on how to combat it. I tried one of them out on my run last Saturday and it helped tremendously!! :)

If anyone is interested; below is my strength training routine - I do 2 sets of 12 with moderate weight; (moderate meaning that the last 2-3 reps are difficult.) Any move that doesn't require weights is max reps. (planks, hip bridge and supermans - I do 5 holding each for 10 seconds.) I don't do any girly push ups - I do max reps/regular push ups. I have 2 different workouts that I do to mix it up - I will list them both.  (I do workout #1 on Tue & workout #2 Thur; after running a 5K.)

#1
Dumbbell press, shoulder press, lat pull down, seated row, reg push up, lateral raise, biceps curl, triceps extention, sit ups, hip lifts, bicycle fwd/bkwd, cross body crunch, hip bridge, front plank, superman, leg press, calf press, wall squat, hamstring curl, hip adbuctor

#2
chest machine, shoulder machine, lat pull down, back machine, military push up, in & out shoulder raise, in & out biceps curls, triceps kick back, sit ups, hip lifts, bicycle fwd/bkwd, cross body crunch, hip bridge, front plank, supermans, squats, calf raises, lunges, stiff legged deadlifts, hip adbuctor.

It takes me about 32-35 minutes to run the 5K and about 40-45 minutes to do this workout so I am in the gym for a while but it's only 2x a week. I also love that the ab/core moves are in the middle so I am less tempted to skip them. Hope this helps anyone looking for a strength workout to incorporate in with running training.

11 more weeks until the Colfax Half!!!