Half Marathon Training Week Six

Posted on January 10, 2012 by Dina

If you would like to follow my other weeks of training, they can be found on my Workouts page. I break my half marathon training down by week to make it easier to follow.

Not my best week. Being sick really sidelined my workouts.

Key Workouts

Easy Runs: 1 of 3

Speed Training: 0 of 1

Long Run: 0 of 1

Strength Training: Upper Body 15 minutes

Total Miles: 5

Planed Miles: 27

Not much to say about this week but I felt it was better to rest through being sick, then to push myself and make it worse.

I planned on racing this weekend but am not sure if I should in light of being sick. It is a 10K, which is a distance I love, and for a good cause.

Polk Race For The Cure

Would you race this close to coming off of a cold?

How was your training last week? Did you reach your goals?

Half Marathon Training Week Five

Posted on January 4, 2012 by Dina

If you would like to follow my other weeks of training, they can be found on my Workouts page. I break my half marathon training down by week to make it easier to follow.

I finished December, and this week of training, with my best month of training yet.

This week was a step-down week, filled with all easy runs and my first week running for five days. I feel like I adjusted well.

Key Workouts

Easy Runs: Five for five

Cross Training:

Dance Trance (Still awesome and still have two left feet.)

No Yoga this week but was so hung over on Sunday, I do not think I would have made it. (Or that anyone would have wanted to be in class anywhere near me.)

Total Miles:19.94

Planned Miles: 20

Must strength train is going to be my new motto. I have another week where some days are two or three miles, so fitting it in should work.

I am surprised that running five days was easier than I thought it would. The most I have done before is four days but the way this plan introduces it on an easier week, I think makes it more mentally palatable. Waiting to see how it feels when there are harder runs in the schedule but so far, so good.

How many days per week do you like to run? Is there a certain point where you burnout? Did you skip any days last week because of being hung over?

Half Marathon Training Week Four

Posted on December 27, 2011 by Dina

If you would like to follow my other weeks of training, they can be found on my Workouts page. I break my half marathon training down by week to make it easier to follow.

Another week of eating and drinking plus lots of time off work. I think my training improved greatly with the amount of time off. Maybe I can have a two day work week with the same pay?

Key Workouts:

Easy Run: One out of two.

Tempo Run: Total of six miles with four at tempo.

Long Run: 12 Miles

Cross Training:

Dance Trace which I am still loving.

Yoga which I always love.

Total Miles: 21.06

Planned Miles: 24

I need to fit in more strength training and will need to give up having two rest days a week to do so. I run after work and before dinner during the week. Should I try strength training in the morning? I cannot push dinner back any later or we will be eating it the next day and J may file for divorce.

The reason I skipped the second easy run this week was because I was a little sore from Dance Trance and thought my long run would go better on fully rested legs. As my body gets used to Dance Trance, this may change but maybe a Yoga class the next day would work well.

How do you modify your plan to fit it all in?

Half Marathon Training Weeks Two And Three

Posted on December 21, 2011 by Dina

If you would like to follow my other weeks of training, they can be found on my Workouts page.

It has been a busy past few weeks with all the shopping and pie eating. The weather cooling off is making running easier but I could do without running in the dark. I do enjoy seeing all the Christmas lights and wish my neighbors would leave them up year round. It makes the one and a half mile neighborhood loop, much more interesting.

Doing all of my runs, especially the longer ones, solo is starting to get to me. Even though I love listening to talk radio or Howard Stern, it would be nice to run with other people sometimes. The closest running club to me is the Lakeland Runners Club. I am contemplating joining in the new year.

Week 2:

I got in my speed work but my long run was a total disaster. I was supposed to run 11 miles but instead ran 4.27. At least the police were involved so I have some excuse but would have rather gotten in the mileage. There was zero cross training this week.

Key Workouts:

Easy Run: One out of two.

Speedwork: Total of six miles with 3×1600 with 800 jogs.

Long Run: 4.27 out of 11 miles.

Week 3:

This week I did every run in the plan plus three cross training workouts. I am so glad I finally tried Dance Trance but probably should not have done the class and then run 11 miles on Saturday. Everything hurt on Sunday. Luckily, I was able to make it Yoga and that helped immensely.

Key Workouts:

Easy Run: Two out of two.

Tempo Run: Six miles total with four at tempo.

Long Run: 11 miles

Do you run with a group or solo?

Any experience with joining a running club? I must admit to being a little nervous about it. (What if I’m the slowest person there and onward though my normal list of neurosis.)

Saturday And My Run In With The Police

Posted on December 11, 2011 by Dina

Saturday started out like most days. I woke up before the sun came up, swearing that I would start my long run at six. I do this many Saturday’s but am really to scared to run in the dark by myself, so I always end up sitting around and drinking coffee. When the sun came up and I was able to drag myself away from the computer, I did end up getting outside.

I was supposed to run 11 Miles but knew I would not have time because I had a hair appointment at 11 and I am slow. An 11 mile long runs take around 2:26. So I decided to run for as long as I could.

My house is on a cul-de-sac and there are no other houses around us. I typically run around the cul-de-sac and noticed a car parked up on the grass near the pond. I went inside to let J know. J saw the car late last night parked there but thought it might be some kids. We decided to call the police, just so they could check out what was going on.

I went back to my run and then three police cars come barreling down my street. Then comes an undercover car. Being nosey, I keep looping around so I can see what is going on. Two people were in the car sleeping. The police end up arresting the man, not sure for what and the woman was let go. She took off on foot. The car was then towed. It is such a strange situation because we live in a fairly rural area, where there are plenty of places to park a car that are not near any residences. Not sure why you park next to a house with the lights on.

So with all this excitement, my 11 mile run turned into a four mile run. I am still so early in my training (week two) that I feel OK about missing it.

After the run, I did make it to the salon. I decided to go a little darker for the winter.

(Please ignore the messy bed behind me.)

Have you ever discovered something on a run that made you call the police?

Should I get over my fear of running in the dark?

New Plan

Posted on November 28, 2011 by Dina

My exercise sabbatical is over. This past week, I took a lot of time off work, enjoyed the holiday, and relaxed. Running my first half feels great but now I am ready to jump back into a new training plan. This time I decided to try a plan from Runner’s World using their Smart Coach program.

The selections I made to come up with this plan are:

Initial Weekly Distance: 21-26 Miles

Training Intensity: Moderate

Long Run Day: Saturday

This plan is 14 weeks long.

I consider myself a beginner and have been running for less than two years. This plan is more intense than my previous one but graduated enough that it will not be a shock to my system.

Monday: Easy Run Three Miles & Strength Training

Tuesday: (Supposed to be a rest day but I have plans after work on Wednesday, so I am adjusting the plan.) Six Miles with Four at Tempo

Wednesday: Rest

Thursday: Easy Run Two Miles

Friday: Strength Training

Saturday: Long Run Ten Miles

Sunday: Yoga

I plan on adding daily stretching which will help with increased flexibility and muscle tightness. I have an AM Yoga DVD that I plan on using most mornings before work to make sure I get this in everyday. Having IT Band issues was not pleasant during my first half and I will do anything to avoid it. (Plus I can live without walking around with a slight limp and people asking me if I am OK.)

I only took a handful of pictures on Thanksgiving before the beer drinking and eating took over.

The table pre-food massacre.

My Brother and Mother.

How do you come-up with a training plan?

Half Marathon Training Week 14 In Review

Posted on November 11, 2011 by Dina

You can follow my previous weeks training and current DVD rotation on my Workouts page.

Sunday: Rest

Monday: 2.51 Miles

Tuesday: Total Body Circuit Training with Jackie Warner 40 Minutes Full Body

Wednesday: Elliptical 30 Minutes

Thursday: 2.56 Miles

Friday: Rest

Saturday:Last speed session of training plan. 6 x 800 repeats total of 5.27 Miles.

Thoughts:

Doing the Jackie Warner DVD proved how much more frequently I need to do more strength workouts. This DVD had gotten a bit easier but I am finding it challenging again. My training is winding down and as I write this I have nine days until my first Half. I am excited, scared, and happy all at the same time. It is interesting when something you have worked so hard for and planned for so long, starts to become so real.

Goals:

1. On Sunday, 11/13, I am running my last long training run in the Florida Hospital Celebration Health Founder’s Day 10K. I am looking forward to this race because Celebration is one of my favorite places.

2. Relax and not stress about the upcoming Half. It is going to be fun and I know I will finish.

3. Sleep, eat, and stay hydrated all week.

J caught Tail doing this to the TV during Monday night football.

How do you stay relaxed the last week before a big race?

Half Marathon Training Week 13 In Review

Posted on November 4, 2011 by Dina

You can follow my previous weeks training and current DVD rotation on my Workouts page.

Sunday: Yoga 60 Minutes

Monday: 3.2 Miles

Tuesday: Rest

Wednesday: 3.63 Miles

Thursday: Rest

Friday: 12.12 Miles

Saturday: Rest

Thoughts:

Friday’s 12.12 miles was my longest run so far. It really makes me feel ready for my first Half this month ( I can’t believe it is this month.) My workouts were almost all running this week which I normally try to avoid but being at a conference all weekend, did not help. I am already starting to think about the what next for after the half but want to play it safe and wait until I cross the finish line process the experience before making any decisions.

Positives:

1. One big fat Personal Distance Record!

2. An upsetting work development seems to be turning in my favor. This is taking a lot of stress off.

3. J bought the new iPhone, so there has been loads of fun laying with Siri.

Goals:

1. More strength training ( I am doing much better with this for Week 13.)

2. More Yoga. The more I run, the more my body wants to do Yoga. It is also helping me to deal with stress better and I feel more centered.

3. Be grateful. I have a tendency to take things for granted but want to spend more time reflecting on what is good in my life.

Funny Picture Of The Week:

(Yes that is Pizza in there. Looks like Tail was hungry.)

How was your training this week?

Whirlwind Weekend

Posted on October 31, 2011 by Dina

This weekend has been insanely busy but really great. I took Friday off and ran 12 miles, it was my furthest run yet. I did much better fueling than I did on my ten mile run and feel fairly confident that I found something that will work for my Half. This run was around a local park that allowed me to access water fountains so I was able to refill my fuel belt. I needed the extra water and will keep this in mind as my distance increases.

This month might not have been my highest mileage month but I am proud of my progress.

On Saturday and Sunday, I was lucky to be able to attend the Florida Democratic Convention.

I learned a lot and always enjoy being surrounded by other political junkies. It was held at Disneyworld’s Contemporary Hotel and Conference Center. Parking was limited which forced those not staying at the hotel to park at the transportation center and take the monorail to the hotel. On Saturday, I inadvertently got on the one monorail that only goes to Epcot. I had to get off that monorail and board the next monorail which went back to where I started. Finally, I found the right monorail but I had sadly missed Alan Grayson and the newly founded Florida Progressive Caucus meeting. I need to pay more attention to where I am going. (I was able to find my car after only one loop of the parking lot on Saturday. I think I came out ahead.)

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So minus that one snafu, everything else went smoothly and I feel re-energized to hit the ground running for the upcoming year plus of campaigning.

The Convention was over by the afternoon, so I was able to come back home and practice more with my new camera by chasing my cats around until they do something cute.

(Please ignore my laundry on floor. Also, Alia is judging you.)

J went to see Guns N’Roses at the Amway Arena on Friday. He broke out this old t-shirt for it. I wish I could have gone but had to get up so early to go to the convention.

Did you have a good weekend?

Half Marathon Training Week 12 In Review

Posted on October 28, 2011 by Dina

You can follow my previous weeks training and current DVD rotation on my Workouts page.

Sunday: Yoga 60 Minutes

Monday: 30 Day Shred Level One 20 Minutes

Tuesday: Rest

Wednesday: 3.03 Miles

Thursday: Rest

Friday: Rest

Saturday: A 5K That Was Not 3.1 Miles 2.35 Miles

Thoughts:The rain derailed my running this week. I felt pretty unmotivated last week in general because of some work stress but feel that the slower week was beneficial. This week, I am feeling renewed and ready to stay strong for the next few weeks leading to my first Half. Even though my 5K on Saturday wasn’t , I was on pace for a PR and was faster than my training plan calls for to run a 2:45 Half. Even though time is not important to me, I am in it to finish, it still feels good to be on the right track.

Some of you may remember how much I disliked the picture on the cover of Steve Jobs biography Steve Jobs.The picture bothers me. It is creepy and the eyes follow you like in a horror movie. (I of course am deeply sorry for Steve Jobs’ family and their loss but I could not resist sharing the two pictures below.)

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J actually sent me this picture below. It is of Frank Gorshin who was the The Riddler in the original TV Batman. I cannot believe that this pose is a common one for book covers.

I would like to put it on official internet record that if I ever am on the cover of a book (not sure why I would be but lets pretend), I will find a way to pose that is not obnoxious.

How has your training gone this week?

Anything silly bothering you that you would like to get off your chest?

Congrats to Becca who won a copy of The Swiss Cheese Theory Of Life. Please email your address to DinaRuns@Gmail.Com.

Dina Runs

Category Archives: Training

Half Marathon Training Week Six

Half Marathon Training Week Five

Half Marathon Training Week Four

Half Marathon Training Weeks Two And Three

Saturday And My Run In With The Police

New Plan

Half Marathon Training Week 14 In Review

Half Marathon Training Week 13 In Review

Whirlwind Weekend

Half Marathon Training Week 12 In Review