Training » The Adventures of Noah

I must be crazy!

Apr 112011

Back at the start of the winter I signed DH and I up for a half marathon in an effort to get us motivated to stay in shape over the winter. Well, here we are about 5 weeks out and I about died on a 3 mile run today. This so does not bode well. I have to get up to at least 10 miles before May 15. The plan looks like this:

Week 1 (this week): MWF: 3.0mi Long run 5.0mi
Week 2: MWF: 4.0mi, 4.0mi, 5mi, Long run: 7.0mi
Week 3: MWF: 6.0mi, 6.0mi, 7.0mi Long run: 9.0mi
Week 4: MWF: 6.0mi, 7mi, 8mi Long run: 10mi
Week 5 (taper..haha): 7.0mi, 7.0mi, 6.0mi, Race on Sunday.

Pretty ambitious me thinks….last half we ran we only got to 8mi in training and I had nothing left for the last 2 miles of the race. I finished running but just barely. So, i’m thinking that if we can get to 10mi prior to the race we should be good. I suppose if we get to 8 then we’re none worse off than when we did this last time (except the course this time is a bit more hilly).

Here’s to hoping my knees hold up!

Catching up….

Noah, photography, Random, Shape Up, Training 1 Response »

Feb 152011

I seem to be doing alot of that lately…catching up. Lots to do, not enough energy or daylight hours to do it in it seems….regardless, we push ahead and do our best:) However, with that thought in mind, todays “catch up” post will be in bullet form:)

- I realize that I really don’t like running…I make myself do it because I know i need the exercise but really I’m sooo bored the whole run. I even try to liven it up by setting up a good playlist and taking the dog but no…still bored. I’m thinking it’s my surroundings…I’d much rather be mountain biking or hiking in California. I think I’m spoiled….

- Had a wonderful weekend in Pittsburgh with the fam! I got to see some old friends and celebrate the impending birth of my friend Mellys baby bean. We had the fam down for some lunch and cake to celebrate Noah’s upcoming birthday (since they can’t make it down here for his actual party). I even got to sing in the choir at church – it was like old times:)

- I had my heart broken on Monday. I found out that a friend of mine from highschool suffered a devastating loss and my heart breaks for her and her husband. I don’t know what to do or say because I know that nothing I try will take away what they’re feeling right now.

- I finally accepted the fact that I’m getting old on Monday too….V-day was rather uneventful…take out dinner, bath/bed for Noah and then DH and I sat down on the couch to watch My Big Fat Greek Wedding….only to fall asleep half way thru (at 10:00pm…hahahahah)

- DH is a planner, I’ve said that in the past. We finally have our “plan” together for baby #2! There are a few things we need to do to the house in preparation for another baby but we’re well on our way to being ready to start TTC soon:)

- Lastly, the training plan has already fallen off the rails. Last week was sooooooooo cold! Running in 12 and 13 degrees just hurts so I didn’t (and my weight showed for it!). Coupled with the fact that I just don’t like running (mentioned above), I’m having a hard time keeping motivated. Plus! The numbers on the scale aren’t budging…good eating and working out and yet they stay exactly where they’ve been for the last 3 months….10lbs higher than I want them. Gah…just keep plugging I suppose…

And because I can’t leave you without a picture of Noah, he’s a sneak peek of his cake smash photo session last week…

Training Week 1

Shape Up, Training 1 Response »

Feb 072011

So I’m a day late on this but I have a good excuse – the Superbowl was yesterday and my beloved Steelers were playing (too bad they didn’t actually show up until the second half…argh…I dont want to talk about it..)

Anywho…I’m genuinely surprised. Not having been very active since about my 7th month with Noah I was anticipating a really rough first week of running. But, I made all three runs with not a ton of pain (and a pretty good pace for me) plus, they’re already starting to get easier. Dodging the snow and ice makes it slow going at times and the dog is still getting into her groove (as in, running and not stopping every 10 feet to sniff) but all in all it was a good first week.

The plan called for a 30 min run on Tuesday, a 25 min run on Thursday and a 3 mile run on Sunday. Tuesdays run was just under 2.5 miles (mainly because I biffed it early in the run and had to slow down to let my poor sore bum recover). Thursdays run was 2.6 miles in 25 min and my three mile run took a little over 32 min. I’m slightly sore today from yesterdays run and was pretty darn sore earlier in the week from the previous runs but that too is getting better.

I need to do some cross training today – weights or something but the plan says not to do anything that uses my calves? I’m sure there’s a reason there but right now it’s not clear to me. However, I will oblige since I need to do some arm work anyways (although, lifting a 24lb one year old is a good workout most days)

The weight is not dropping off like I’d hoped but it’s still early. I’m continuing my calorie counting and this three day a week running plan should have it gone in no time right??:) I really really really want to get back to my pre-pregnancy weight before we start trying for number 2. That way I’m not working of a compounded problem after that pregnancy (plus I’ll be more cognizant of my eating with number two…gallons of apple juice and Panera’s broccoli and cheese soup will not be my main stay!)

So, week 1 down…only 14 more to go until the race.

ETA: I totally spaced…I actually was kickboxing thru the summer (at least until I got laid off…) that’s why this isn’t sooooo bad…wow…mommy brain at it’s finest:)

A running we will go….

Shape Up, Training 1 Response »

Jan 302011

or we will try to go…

Months ago I signed DH and I up for the Pittsburgh half marathon which is in the middle of May. I figured it would be a good way to kick my arse in to gear at the height of winter at a time when usually when I’m at my heaviest (which is soooo much different than prior to Noah). Well, a girlfriend posted a note on Fbook about her first race of the season in March and it reminded me that it’s probably time to kick that plan into gear (actually, she said I still have time – she forgets, I’m going couch to 21k on a body that holds almost 10lbs more than my previous race…so…start slow:)).

So, I set out to find a plan that I think will work for me. I was looking for something that didn’t run more than 3x a week because based on our training for the last half, my knees were shot if I ran any more than that (plus, my first foray into running post Noah didn’t go well..). Moreover, I needed something I could accomplish during the day while Noah was at daycare (on my “lunch hour”) because bundling him up to take him out in this weather is one of the reasons I’m not doing more. Thanks to the wonder that is Google I found a plan on jeffgalloway.com that I’m going to try.

Annnnnnd….to keep myself accountable I’m going to report in weekly (on Sunday’s hopefully) – aren’t you all excited?!

And just because I can’t go without giving you a Noah picture….:)