Any DIS runners on the Community Board? Need some advice.

[KarenB]

So I signed up for a half marathon for the end of April. Never ever did anything like this before;ran two 5Ks in the last two years. This is something I have wanted to do and some friends asked me if I wanted to join them. So I think I have hit a little wall lately and need some advice.

The good stuff happening:
I found a decent running plan to get me there.
I can run 3 miles without much effort and have ran up to 4.5
I belong to a gym within 5 miles from home
I bought an ipod shuffle and had my 20 something children load it with music (to keep me motivated and to have them "along with me" as I run)
My husband is not a runner but very supportive. He actually bought me a gift card for a running shoe fitting for my birthday
My clothes are fitting better
I love the feeling of accomplishment

The not so good stuff:
I am at five miles now and having trouble getting it in (too cold outside,restless on the treadmill)
I have tried to get outside, but I hate hate hate the cold and wind. I want to run because I like to, not punish myself with the cold
I exert a lot of energy on the treadmill with my balance. I have to focus on a little dot on the workout screen, I can't look around and run at the same time.
Now that the runs are getting longer I am loosing focus thinking that I need to get home and get papers graded, lesson plans done, etc

Any advice would be great!
Karen

 

[KathyTX]

You'll find a huge community of runners on our W.I.S.H. Forum. You should join them!!!

 

[KarenB]

You'll find a huge community of runners on our W.I.S.H. Forum. You should join them!!!

Can you move my thread over there?

 

[KathyTX]

Abracadabra- moved from Community to the WISH forum!!!

WISHers, wanna give this new runner a big WISH-style welcome?

 

[sillylily]

Welcome, KarenB! I get restless on the dreadmill as well, but I'm lucky enough to live in a climate where running in the winter is a lot more comfortable than running in the summer. To keep myself from getting bored and losing focus, I started signing up for races! Three 5Ks, a 10K and two half marathons before November (then it's the W&D for me!). The races are giving me something to work for, and look forward to, so maybe that would help you as well! Good luck!

 

[indygirl99]

Welcome it is a pretty great group here and tons of really good and helpful advise. I would be lost without the great people on here.

I hate the dreadmill and will only run on it if it is below 30 or pouring rain here.

I live in the Pacific Northwet and if I didn't run sometimes in the rain I would never get to run much at all. It rains about 9 months of the year here.

I just started running in June of last year and found some good tech clothes that makes it bearable to run in the rain.

Does your gym have an indoor track/hamster wheel? Does your school have a track that you can run on? This won't get rid of the cold but may make the wind less (sheltered more?). I sometimes go to the high school and run on their track.

Another thing I found helps me is finding new running routes. I found one along the river close to the airport. I love to watch planes take off and land and we frequently see the Air National Guard out doing manauvers so this gets me out running even in the cold and rain because it distracts me.

Another thing I do that keeps me motivated to get out and actually do my runs is I pay myself for my runs. It has to be at least 30 min long run to count. I put that money in a cute glass jar I decorated with running sayings and I use that money to buy things at the race expos. I had fun at the Disney Tinkerbell expo and look forward to my next half marathon in DC to spend the current stash.

Welcome

 

[Diskidatheart]

I too am not a fan of running on treadmills. I can do some treadmill running, but it is usually running intervals or short runs of 3 miles (it's odd saying a short run is 3 miles because a year ago, that was a long run).

I suggest to try and run outside even if it is cold or raining. When you run the half marathon, you don't know what the weather is going to be like and you really need to be prepared for any conditions. I've been running all winter here in Pittsburgh. I ran my first half marathon in Disney and will be running another half at the end of March and my third at the beginning of May. Go to a local running store and ask them for a recommendation for a jacket to wear. It's amazing how warm you get after the first mile if you wear the proper gear. Don't look at it like punishing yourself in the cold, think of it as "if I can run in this weather, I can run in anything". Good luck in your half marathon!

 

[dewingedpixie]

I use the hamster wheel for speedwork in the winter, when its raining under 45 degrees, and when windchills hit bellow 10 degrees. Otherwise I run outside. Running outside isnt bad, dress like its 20 degrees warmer. I dont wear pants unless it dips bellow 45 degrees ever, its always a skirt.

Doing a half you'll need water atleast possibly food. I require food at any distance over 5 miles or I crash. You'll need to train with food and drink before the big run.

There are a lot of really great training plans if you look on the internet .

 

[Khiori]

I run mostly on treadmill. I've found an app that has me totally loving my runs - It's called "Zombies, Run!" Also, I am working with two training programs so it keeps me motivated day to day and week to week, to see my progress. Oh and having a race scheduled (in two weeks! eep!) has kept me running!

 

[freepixie]

Lately I have been doing my short runs on the treadmill, and my long runs on the elevated indoor track at the Y. Where I live, there is way too much ice on the sidewalks and roads that it would be incredibly dangerous to run outside; not to mention I get creeped out when running outside cause I swear I always see similar cars "following" me... I know I'm paranoid, but I would rather be safe inside my YMCA!!

As for focus, sometimes I have to play mind games with myself, such as, if I finish this mile, I will take a walk break, etc. It motivates me to get to the next milestone, and I can mentally handle the rest of the run. Running is easily 75% mental, 25% physical!

Another thing that helps me with focus is to do "other" workouts during the week, not just only running. I seriously get burned out if I run too many days, so I mix it up with Zumba, yoga, strength training, etc.

Good luck in your training, and welcome to the WISH area of the Dis!!!

 

[KarenB]

Thank you all!! I took a little advice from every post to use/try. Today was a beautiful 40 degrees, sunny, no wind. Such a difference in my attitude. Just got back from a quick easy 3 miles after work. And like another poster mentioned, I never ever thought I would use the words quick-easy-3 miles-in the same phrase a year ago.

I find each time I run I learn something either by a success or a mistake. For example, today I realized that it is okay to drop all my work as soon as I get home from work and go out for a run. It is still sitting there, but I feel more motivated.

Can't wait to take some time and read other threads on this board. Good luck in all of your planned races

Karen

 

[adkkev]

Welcome KarenB!!

About how many miles are you getting in each week? I would suggest working on getting one longer run in each week ... if your longest is 5 miles now, start stretching that out each week. You don't necessarily have to have run 13.1 miles by the time your HM rolls around, but it's helpful to know 1. that you can run that distance, and 2. what it feels like. As you increase your mileage (i.e., your long run of the week), you may want to try things out like gels or gummie items (Gu, Stingers, etc.) that you can use to keep your energy level up as you run. If your HM has water stations, then you probably don't need to carry any water with you during your race.

Do you know what the HM course is like? Flat? Hilly?

I do not have a treadmill so all my running is outside, no matter what the weather. Snow, rain, sleet, sunshine, moonshine, wind, you name it. After a while you get used to running in all sorts of weather. And your neighbors will get used to seeing you out there too ... after a while they will stop shaking their heads. I promise!!