Time Troubles

So, I'm starting to run into a little bit of a hurdle...Between seven classes and my commute time for school (1.5 hours each way), I having a bit of trouble remaining consistent with my training. I still go to the gym at least three days a week to weight train and get my 2-3 mile run in, but I'm having a hard time finding the time to add extra mileage to my training.

I'm hoping that once the weather warms up I will be able to run the routes that the TU training program provides. As you can see, it's a four mile route that starts at the baseball field next to Burdick Hall.

Even though I'm having trouble making it to the training programs, I should be able to keep up with their routes while still staying on track for the big race.

I'll keep you posted on how that 's going. If you see me running down Towsontown Blvd. be sure to wave and honk...oh yeah, check and make sure I'm still breathing too! :)

Training Errors

I was reading an article from an online marathon training site and I saw something that surprise me:

"...the greatest challenge of the marathon is not finishing the race but making it to the starting line uninjured and rested."

Other than participating in the running groups, I hadn't thought much about how I should be training. This site helped lay out how I should NOT be training.

One of the problems runners may face is inconstancy in their workouts. Especially, when training for a long distance run, runners should try not to skip workouts. In other words, make a schedule and stick to it! Being inconsistent may cause the runner to tack on extra training days closer to the race to make up for lost ones. This could result in overloading your muscles, which may cause injury.

Next, the site talks about the 10% rule. This rule states that you should not increase weekly mileage by more than 10% each week nor should you increase the distance of the long run by more than 10% each week. This will also help with minimizing injury before a race.

Next, they talk about a Hard-Easy concept of training. This just suggests that after a hard workout or a hard run you should try to take it easy the next day. Running 10 miles on Saturday, then doing a high energy cardio workout on Sunday. This is a wise strategy runners use to train effectively.

The last training error they talk about is not listening to your body. If your body is not ready for a long distance training session or hard weight training, it will tell you. Make sure to give your body the rest that it probably deserves.

Staying away from these typical training errors will help me to avoid injury for the big day!

Getting started!

There are many things that need to be done in preparation for race day. The first on my list was to attend one of the two informational meetings for the Lead Strong Half Marathon. This is where the majority of my questions were answered. Well, I really only had one: "CAN I DO THIS??"

LEAD Strong has put together a 12 week program of critical training that I will need to complete my goal of crossing that finish line. The program has been set up so that three days a week for twelve weeks, we slowly tack more miles on to prepare for the big day. The other days during the week are set up for core/strength/cardio training. Burdick Hall provided a list of all of the free classes they offer, including yoga, Tigerlaties, spinning, and kickboxing classes.

I'm not going to lie to you, I'm nervous about running this half marathon. I've said before-I'm athletic and love to work out, but this is definitely stepping out of my comfort zone.

I was laying in bed last night thinking my last thoughts before I closed my eyes and said good bye to February 10 and I realized that running 13 miles is something I never dreamed I would do. For that matter, going back to finish college was something I never thought I would do and look at me, here I am!

Could it really be--if I put my mind to something, I can do it??

9:30a.m. May 2, 2009, I will be participating in the annual LEAD Strong Half Marathon: Towson's Half Marathon!

For the past eight years I have made exercise a big part of my life. I am a member of my local fitness center where I take a multitude of aerobic classes consisting of: Kickboxing, Yoga, and Pilates. I enjoy jogging outside and I play on a co-ed softball team in Washington D.C. during the summer months.

Through my Individualized Fitness teacher I heard about the LEAD Strong Half Marathon. I will obtain sponsors for the run and all proceeds benefit Alex's Lemonade Stand, a foundation for childhood cancer.

Because I have never run a half marathon (13 miles) I thought it would be interesting to keep track of my training and preparation for what could be one of the most fulfilling triumphs of my life, thus far!