Marathon

Yesterday when I came home to The Ship, Mama had brought home a box of books from the FOSL booksale. She had picked up the whole box without looking through it because the first few books where all political books. She thought my brother would enjoy them. I decided to look through them...and found a 16 week training book to train non-runners to run a full marathon. For those who don't know (I didn't until I flipped through the book), a marathon is 26.2 miles.

I have been working on training to run a 5k. I can now do a 5k on the treadmill. I can run over a mile not on the treadmill. However, I'm having problems with the progression. I NEED a plan, and am having trouble designing one on my own.

This book provides a detailed plan. It also trains me to run far further than I had originally planned. Also, I have found that there are no marathons in the area that correspond to when I would be ready to run one if I started training now (16 weeks of official training, and at least 3 weeks of recommended pre-training).

With all that in mind...I still like the idea of doing the program. It gives me a goal, and a detailed plan to follow. The books not only covers the physical training, but also the mental portion of preparing to push one's self to the extreme of running 26.2 miles. I also just like the idea of being able to accomplish something as big as running a marathon.

I was momentarily deterred by the fact that I don't have a marathon to sign up for (which is the very first step in the program. Give yourself a firm goal before you start). I have decided that I can just choose a day that fits with my training plan...and tell EVERYONE who will listen that I am running a marathon that day. I won't have completed anything official, but I will have still run the distance. By telling people, and by writing this blog, and by posting it on FB, I will have created some since of obligation. I won't be able to back out, because then I'll have to tell EVERYONE that I didn't do it. Later on, I might sign up for a marathon when one presents itself.

So, starting Monday I will be starting my pre-training. This portion may take 3 or 4 weeks...it depends on how long I can jog right now. I will know on Monday. After that, I will plot out my training program, and set a date for my marathon...and put in all my running goals on their proper days on my Google calendar. I might even write them in my planner too, just so I have them everywhere. The book provides little charts to help tract progress, and how you feel during the runs. I will probably create a digital version...either some kind of spreadsheet using Google Docs (which I would then attach here, of course), or I might just write those updates here. Not sure which one yet.

Anyway, putting such nerdiness aside...The pre-training is designed to get your muscles and bones used to the repeated stress of running 4 times a week. During the pre-training period I'll run for a set time (20, 25, and 30 minutes as the training progresses) 4 times a week. This will help prevent injuries once I start actually working on running for distance 4 times a week.

The distance total for first week of real training is 15 miles spread out over 4 runs. I'm intimidated already, but kinda jazzed about it too.

Third run of the week

Just completed my third run of the week, and feel great!

I ran for 1 and a 1/2 miles straight at a 4 mph pace. Woot, woot! I completed 2 miles in total(running and warm up/cool down).

I really like stretching after running because I get a really good stretch. I always enjoy stretching, but running gets me warm enough that I can get really deep stretches.

I think I will do a little interval cross-training on the treadmill tomorrow, and then Sunday is my rest day.

The start of a new week

After last weeks lame running total, I started back yesterday with a run at the gym on a treadmill.

I ran for over 1 mile straight! This is quite the accomplishment for me. It felt great, and I still feel great today.

Since I won't be on campus for the rest of week (Thanksgiving break woot woot!), I plan on doing the rest of my running this week on the treadmill at home.

I'm really excited that I feel as good as I do, and I'm looking forward to being able to run longer distances at one time.

That's all for now...now back to studying.

Derailed week

My running this week was derailed by the fact that my car was in the shop.

But, I shall get back on track on Saturday. I will not let a little deviation get me completely off my plan.

As my brother said...other than consistency, flexibility is most important in any workout plan.

The good news is that I got all set up for the rock wall at the ODU gym! I'm so excited to just be able to go climb, for free, anytime the wall is open.

Day 1 of Week 2

Went running today.

I upped my speed for a few minutes, and was able to run at 4mph. My workout added up to 30 minutes, and I ran for about 22 minutes of that.

After running, I went and did one climb on the rock wall at the gym.

Yay for a rest day tomorrow! Although, I might go take a Ballroom dance lesson for one 1 hour tomorrow evening after class.

Measurement

Now...the purpose of this running project is not weight loss. The goal is to be able to run a 5k in Colorado.

But...I figure that I should at least keep track of any bodily changes that occur during the project.

With that in mind my current measurements are as follows:

Bust - 37.5

Waist - 28

Hip - 39

On August 17th I had my body fat measured, and I had 25.7% body fat at the time. I don't know my current body fat, but I will just go with the August measurement as I don't think much has changed since then.

I currently weigh about 130. A little less some days, a little more other days.

End of Week 1

Yesterday was supposed to be my cross-training day, but I rested instead. My legs were still a little sore from running the day before, so I thought I would start slow and take the day off. I will work in cross-training as I go.

I did run today though. I ran on a treadmill at home. I ran for 10 minutes straight at 3.7 mph. I took a quick walking break and then ran for 11 minutes. I ran almost 2 miles in 35 minutes.

I'm very happy with how the project is going so far. I am resting tomorrow, and then running again on Monday. Here's to hoping that week 2 goes as well as week 1!