New Year, New Me...Liz's 1/2 Marathon Preparation (Comments Encouraged)

[toystoryduo]

Hi Liz,

You snow blowed 5 driveways with 24" of snow in them... I say that qualifies as plenty of exercise! Whew!

Sending some your way to help melt that snow! Take good care of you!

 

[plutosmyfav]

I can say my clothes are fitting much better, and that is what counts for now!!

That really is what counts!

You can mention your snow blowing as much as you like!!!! I hear ya loud and clear!!!! 4 hours of shoveling isn't going in silence either

Sundie

 

[lizdotcom99]

Thanks all for your encouragement! You have NO idea what it means to me!! I sooo appreciate each and every comment and good thought....and please if need be...feel free to give a me a good kick when I need it as well!!!

So, about today....read at your own risk......I started walking outside for real today......did my two mile walk....and it AIN'T pretty!!!!

I start out with my loverly appearal. Imagine if you dare.....260 pound me, a realy pudge.......5"'4" of solid flab stuffed in some beeeeautiful gray spandex, yes, I did say spandex pants. Over that I have a very nice long short to cover the bum and the gut.....all is well until...I strap on the fanny pack. At this point the long shirt cinches up over the bum and the gut. But hey, it is cute, it has Pooh on it. I am hoping the nice big blue hoodie I put on with cover the multitude of sins.....no luck. The fanny pack stops it from going any further. All I can say is that I am SOOOOOOO glad I don't have to watch me walk. But my feet are looking pretty snazzy in the new running shoes and thorlo socks.

So I get in my car....yes I said I get in my car!! And I drive 1 mile....(hey I gotta know where to turn around) then home. Same exact route and ironically, when I get to my turn around point, it is exactly one mile and I am headed the right direction to go home. So I get home and the odometer on the car reads 1.7 miles???????? How could that be? It was the EXACT same route there and back....and I pulled out of the garage....not backed out???? Anyway, I am not going ot worry about that. I will try it agian later!!

So I am off and walking at a nice brisk pace. Still perplexed about the whole 1.7 situation, but I gotta walk....and walk fast!! I was hoping to be at the alledged 1 mile make by 16 minutes.....and didn't get there till almost 19....so I jogged for a while.... a very short while...(sorry man fixing his car that you had to see that) and then huffed and puffed and walked and huffed and puffed and walked and huffed and puffed and decided I needed to pick up the pace. So I did a little series of walking and psuedo jogging........and ended up at my starting point at 12.35... I left my starting point at 12.02 I was tired, and parts that have never hurt, hurt a little...but I did it! I walked my two miles. So, I continued to walk for a bit and cool down. Did a few streches and viola! 2 miles plus down. Now I realize that in Disney terms, I would have been swept. But hey, this is the start of week 2 of pre training. The real deal training doesn't beging until May 3rd. for me. Question for those of you who may be able to help........how much time do you think I can shave off that almost 16 minute mile...and is it think able that I can do this for 13.1 miles when I am stuggling with 2?

I am hopeful it will get better!! It has to...it can't get any worse!!

In spite of not making my hoped 15 minute mile...or for that matter a 16 minute mile, I am very proud of just getting out there and doing it. For my first 1/2 marathon, the Chicago DIstance Classic, there is a 4 hour course limit. They also have a team of walkers, ballons, and a cabose van, that are paced at 4 hours so as long as you stay in front of them...you are on course!! Certainly I ahve to be able to get this done in four hours.....right?


Tomorrow I am back to WATP 2 mile......and Thursday I hope to scare the neighborood again and venture out if the weather cooperates. Today it was 37and sunny!! Very nice walking weather. Sunday I am hoping to do the 3 mile WATP.......that is the plan anyway!!

 

[Alysa]

Liz - You go girl! kick some ***!
I loved your report you made me smile - especially sorry man fixing car - good for you! Sending hugs your way.

 

[swilphil]

Liz--I loved reading about your 2 mile run/walk. It made me smile--great descriptions. I just joined WISH, and I'm considering running (with lots of walking) a 1/2 marathon. I ran a couple of 5 K's last year and am planning on another in March. I'm going to be posting some 1/2 marathon questions on the main WISH board.

 

[geetey]

GO, LIZ!!!!!

First of all, CONGRATS on your first 2 mile walk! Woo hoo!! I loved your report. Too funny! Secondly, YES you will be able to do the half marathon since you are starting now and you are aware of the time constraits. Remember - there are TWO kinds of training. SHORT walks for SPEED. LONG walks for ENDURANCE.

Based on where you are in your training, this was probably an endurance walk and you did GREAT!! You will have 1 long walk each week (and you start at just 2 miles and work up). The other days, you will walk an amount of time (if you are following the Penguin) and on THOSE days you go as fast as your little body can carry you. Over time, you will naturally start walking faster and faster on your endurance walks, as well as longer! It's an amazing thing! Don't forget to do those speed form drills - those will really help a lot!

You are doing SO well and I am SO proud of you!!

Now I am going to have to find that other Penguin book to read! He is GREAT!

PS: If you don't want to, you can skip wearing your fanny until you are walking over 6 miles. Good idea to get used to it though!

 

[kayeandjim00]

Hi Liz - I loved your story about your 2 mile walk! Congratulations on your great workout!! Keep up the good work - you are doing so great and before you know it that first 2 mile walk will be a distant memory as you are cruising along at Disney doing the half!

 

[lizdotcom99]

So nice of you all to stop by. I am still working on getting all these new habbits down so please be patient with me as I try to get to everybody's journals to respond. I really do try!! But how do you guys read all this????

Today is not such a good day for me. I can't seem to find my motivation...and I have been on this thread no less than a thousand times today.

Woke up and felt to fruit of yesterday's labor.....ohhh feel the burn and the pain. But it wasn't too bad. I really should have got my workout in earlier......but alas, that was not to be.

Last night a head hunter called me. He has a job that would be something I could do, but not REALLY what I want to do. It is also a job that is about 2 hours from home. In the grand scheme of things it is a job that is totally out of the question.....but when you have been looking since October....at this point, you will just about do anything. So, I guess thinking that my only job prospect for now is this is well.....depressing. The Hawaii trip that is planned for July is getting closer...and I am without a job!!! Yikes!! Being without a job can really mess with your self esteem. On the bright side of things, I am the luckiest girl in the world and have the BEST SO. He is very supportive and understanding as well.

I do get a couple of gold stars for the day though. I REALLY wanted to just sulk and eat away my sorrows. I didn't. I resisted ALL DAY!! And rather than having the LC 1/2 of the ice cream bar that I wanted, I had a nice cup of decaff tea. It was so good, I might have to have another!!

I also lost all motivation and desire to walk today. There were a million "good" reasons to not walk. I am sure I could have talked myself into not walking...but at 9 tonight I got off my bum and did the 1 mile WATP.....not great, but better than nothing.

I am hoping that I can find a little pick me up in reading a chapter in The Courage to Start!

Not sure where this funk is coming form...could be the weather, could be TOM or just plain weirdness...but I am hopeful that tomorrow will be a better day. I just has to!!!

Thanks for listening.....more tomorrow!

 

[geetey]

Fear not, Liz! Your feelings are completely normal! On more than one occasion during this journey to the half marathon you will question WHY you are doing this and feel like stopping. But Penguins never quit, so you will get up and get moving again.

I do see one small error in your day. This was your day of REST! Take it! Savor it! Enjoy it!! ALWAYS take the day after your long walk as a day of rest. Your body needs to recover and heal itself. Besides, you sound so dedicated and official when you tell people - no training today, it's a day of rest.

Remember the schedule - walk 3x a week, crosstrain 2x a week, REST 2x a week. I used WATP as my crosstraining, when necessary.

You CAN do this, Liz! I have faith in you!! Slow and steady wins the race.

 

[lizdotcom99]

Terry,

You are such a great Thanks!!! I love you for that!!!!

Right now, I am following to some degree the Hal Higdon training schedule. Monday's and Friday's are my rest days.....maybe I need to get on course with the Penguin......

Gonna go get some reading in and see where the two plans differ.

Thnaks again for being my very own You have no idea what that means to me!!!

 

[geetey]

Oops! My bad! Here I thought you were a Penguin! I checked into Hal's plan. Several people on the boards used his plan for the 2005 Half. For myself, I found the Penguin easier to follow - especially since he gives you a 14 week plan. I am overweight and newly diagnosed with MS, so with those concerns, I wanted to stick with a longer training plan. It is also very hard for me to just between easy, stroll, and brisk.

If you ever want some links, just let me know. I have an entire folder in my favorites just for marathon training.

Here is a Westie clippie for your enjoyment.

 

[lizdotcom99]

If you ever want some links, just let me know. I have an entire folder in my favorites just for marathon training.

Here is a Westie clippie for your enjoyment.

Bring em on!! I would love anything you have!! I have some challenges myself...I have had 9 surgeries on my left ankle and it is partially fused...so I worry about that....well, not the ankle.....just being able to make it!! I have until August 7th for the real penguin Marathon, so I am just in pre-training.......I can use all the help I can get!!

Again, thanks....and love the Westie!! Too cute!!!

 

[lizdotcom99]

Terry,

Any way I could talk you into thinking about the Chicago Distance Classic? It is not too far form you.....and it is a John Bingham race.......and I would LOVE, LOVE, LOVE to have the honor to walk with you? So will you think about it? Huh, will you? It is not until August 7th, so there is lots of time to train. What do you think?

 

[lizdotcom99]

Who knew 3 miles would feel so good? If you would have told me this a month ago, Iwould have laughed (loudly, I might add) in your face. But hey, today is a new day and I feel great!!

I DID IT!! I WALKED 3 MILES!!!!

That is a huge deal for me. I never thought, dreamed or imagined that I really would get teh nerve up to try the 3 mile WATP let alone do it. But I did. And truth be told, I even walked a bit after...and lo and behold....I am still breathing, walking and talking. Well, I am talking to myself...but I did it!!!

Now, I know that my real walks outside are going to be harder...and I am b-prepared for that. But I am hoping that with lots of practice....inside and out, this will all get easier. And certainly as I lose some of this weight, it can only get easier.

I feels good to sweat and smell. Yes, I did really say that. And as a treat for my great workouts, I allow myself the pleasure of a nice hot shower with my favorite LUSH Rock Star soap. OK, so I am not really a rock star....but baby, I sure feel like one today!! *Note to self* read this when you are down and out and don't want to work out...and just think what the actual finish line is gonna feel like!!!

So, that is my day so far. I think I need to make it a habbit to get me workout done early in the day. It really does motivate you to get a move on for the rest of the stuff you need to do. It also helps with keeping the eating in line!!!

Off to shower and spend some time on


And a special thanks to ALL of you.....there is NO WAY I would or could do this without the help and encouragement of each and every one of you!! Thanks so much!!!!

 

[swilphil]

Liz--Congrats on your 3 miles!! Way to go! I know what you mean about being sweaty and smelly. I don't feel like I'm doing much if I don't work up a good sweat. It's been a while since I did WATP, but I think it's easier to walk outside. I suppose it depends how many hills you have. I live in Kansas so it's relatively flat. I don't get as bored when the scenery keeps changing.

 

[Strings]

LIZ<

Congratulations on making it throughthe 3 MILE WATP. I agree that it is harder than walking outside. Woohoo!

Lets get this straight. We glisten, and we don't stink. Ok, I'm lying to myself. It is hard fought for, so be proud of the stink! Great reward using your favorite soap after the workout!

Keep up the great work!
Beth

 

[CarolA]

Way to go.
And talking to yourself is good. I carry on entire converstations while I walk. Gives me a way to work things out!

 

[plutosmyfav]

Liz,

I loved your "post 3 mile" post!!!!!

Seriously, reread it when you have lost the "glow" to remind yourself how awsome it is. Your post is beaming with energy, optimism, excitement and pride! You go GIRL That's what its about

Keep up the great work!

Sundie

 

[Strings]

Liz,

I am just dropping by to wish you a great weekend. Keep up the great work.

I also have internal dialogues when I am exercising. I try not to actually talk because I am at a gym. It reaaly helps me figure some things out.

Take care,
beth

 

[kayeandjim00]

Hi Liz! What a great day you had! I so agree with Sunny - go back and read this on one of those days when it feels like a huge chore to exercise and remember what that moment feels like when you complete something new you didn't know you were capable of! : Keep up the great work!! You'll be walking at Disney before you know it.