I'm just three weeks away from my half marathon. This one is the Utah Valley Half, which starts around the turnoff to Sundance up Provo Canyon and ends near Center Street and University Avenue in downtown Provo. I'm feeling pretty good about my training so far. No injuries, keeping up fairly well with my schedule thanks to Eliot's preschool and Zach's nap schedules. I'm not as quick as I was training for my last half, but considering I had a baby less than a year ago, that's probably to be expected! I chose a training schedule that would have me runner longer distance runs than I did last time (last time the longest run I had before my race was a 9-miler, and I did not feel prepared enough). I've already run my 10-miler, and 11 miles is on the docket for this weekend. I have had to do a lot of my training for this race on my treadmill, which is convenient, but not my favorite. I prefer running outdoors, especially for long runs. But I'm mostly just grateful to be running again. It feels good to be pushing myself. I never would have believed running would end up being one of my passions (I used to HATE the required runs in junior high!), but I think there is nothing better than how I feel when I'm cooling down from a good, hard run.
My only comments on the photos: Loving my Brooks running shoes -- they're so light! And yes, I seriously use a paper schedule (I do love putting a checkmark next to a completed task!), mostly just because I have yet to find an app I really like. I tried the half marathon one on Run Coach Pro and didn't really care for it. I've liked Strava, which tracks distance/time, but what I'm really hoping for is an app that streamlines customized schedules, tracking distance and time, music playing/streaming Pandora, and a running log all into one. Please send me suggestions if you know of a good one!
The biggest difficulty so far with training for this race has been fatigue. With our move coming up and lots of stuff weighing on my mind, I have been suffering from pretty bad insomnia. It's not unusual for me to toss and turn until 2 or 3 a.m. and then have to drag myself out of bed a few hours later. Not the best conditions for pushing your body to its limit with intense training! Somehow, my running is actually invigorating me, but the closer I get to my race, the more I'm noticing how worn out my body feels. Here's hoping I can hang in there over this next month and get this race and our move out of the way so I can finally rest!
2 comments:
Dude. You're awesome. And I want your shoes. How can you not be excited to run, wearing those?! I want to know more about the training programs you've found...seems like you've done your homework! You will do so great; I'm already proud, imagining your finish! This post makes me excited for the day i'm cleared to full-on exercise again. The course sounds beautiful. One of these years, we'll both be on a "non-baby year" & run a 1/2 together. And maybe one of these days we'll actually speak to each other & not each others' voicemails! xoxo
I am so happy that your training is progressing along! You are going to kick butt on race day!
I am really hoping being in the hospital and not running for 2+ weeks will not put me too far behind my own training.
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