No Turning Back Now--Getting Ready for the 2009 Half Marathon (comments welcome)

[hockeygirl]

Hey Allyson! Sorry for being MIA from your journal..it looks like you have been doing a great job!!!

I think it is great that you are going to do a 5k in June...that is plenty of time to get ready, and if you are following the couch to 5k plan you will do great.

Don't worry about missing a day here and there. I will tell you I had my fair share of days that I missed while training for the marathon, and I still felt that I was ready for the race. Just pick up at your next regularly scheduled workout and you will do great!!

Hope you are having a great weekend!

 

[MomofCKJ]

Thanks Laurie! You are affirming what I have been reading! Not to sweat it if you miss a day. Just keep plugging along.

Tonight I grabbed DHs iPod (he has the iTouch with a zillion more songs that my little ole shuffle) and got on the Gazelle. I did 4 miles and was sweating like a pig (nice imagery huh) but it was good! I listened to some serious blasts from the past (Dancing with Myself--Billy Idol, Rock Me Tonight--Billy Squire, I Want You to Want Me--Cheap Trick). For me the music can really make all the difference!

Allyson

 

[postesf]

Hey there! You are really doing great! Keep it up!!!

Stacie

 

[corinnak]

Hi Allyson!
I just wanted to say hello and that I was happy to see you around here - I really enjoyed your trip report last year.

It is so exciting that you will be doing the 1/2 in 2009. You have gotten so much good advice already. I'm going to add one more - and you'll get this from John Bingham as well, regarding not working out some days. The rest days are the days when your body actually gets stronger and are just as important as the workouts! So feel good about taking a day for your body to recover and rebuild.

Oh, and that is SO nice of your MIL to volunteer to stay with the kids. And a trip to Atlantis! Wow - I'd love to do that someday. Sounds like a fantastic plan you've got going for next January!

 

[MomofCKJ]

The other day, the 29th I think it was, I did the W1D2 of the Couch to 5K. Wasn't as easy as the first time, felt like I was soooo slow. Really need to stay focused on not getting down on myself. Sometimes it is so easy to beat yourself up.

Yesterday I went to a running store that my friend recommended. They were really great, fitted me, watched me run in different shoes. I left with the most comfy pair of asics. I have never had real running shoes, boy they feel so nice on the feet. What a difference!

Today I am taking a sick day from work. I work from home so it is kind of odd to use a sick day but I just want to be able to stay away from work and chill out. I feel so tired and like it could be the start of being sick. I would just like to nip it in the bud and have a lay low kind of day. I was going to go out for the W1D3 but I'll see how I feel later. I found through a different post on the DIS these podcasts that go along with the training program. I am anxious to give them a try. The other day I ran with my cell phone using the stopwatch feature to time the runs and walks. I am thinking this podcast will make that SO much easier!

Have a great day everyone!

Allyson

 

[hockeygirl]

Hi Allyson!

WTG for taking a day to rest! Seems like everyone is sick, so that is good that you are laying low to prevent it from getting worse!

Aren't specialty running stores great!!!! The first time I went to my Fleet Feet, I felt like a queen!! I tried on more shoes that day, that I have in forever!! Glad you found something that works for you!!

Keep up the good work!

 

[momof2minnies]

Hi Allyson,
I hope you feel better, lots of sickness around right now.

I also love my shoe store here in town.I love my Saucony sneakers.I swear they make me faster

Keep up the good work,
Linda

 

[corinnak]

Hi Allyson!
I'm glad you found the podcasts - they make a huge difference during those weeks where it's all intervals. The music is not as much fun as your own, of course, but I thought it was worth it to have Robert saying when to speed up and slow down.

Congratulations on your new shoes!

Hope you're feeling better already - this is the worst time of year for viruses, isn't it?

 

[MomofCKJ]

Yes I love that about the Podcasts too, knowing when to run and when to walk. It is working out great!

I ended up doing W1D3 on Thursday, I felt a little better as the day went on and I wanted to get outside. The shoes felt great! And I decided to do W1 again just because.

So Friday I did an hour on the Gazelle for 6 miles. I have never been on there that long but with decent music and occupied kids, it was fine!

Saturday was a rest day with nothing. Sunday I did W1D1 again. 30 minutes and 2.48 miles.

Today I am in mourning. My beloved Patriots. *sigh* I have no words.


Allyson

 

[postesf]

HI Allyson...Keep up the good work girl! You can do it! Keep pushing!

Stacie

 

[MomofCKJ]

I ended up having trying a strengthening exercise DH suggested and the next day I had a sciatica type pain. So nothing for me Mon or Tue. Wed I felt better, not 100% but better, so I did 2.5 miles on the Gazelle. Today I did 2 miles on the Gazelle. It was slushy and snowy outside today so I needed to stay in. Hoping to get outside tomorrow for more of the Couch25K plan.

Thanks for the encouragement!

Allyson

 

[corinnak]

Oh, those unexpected injuries are the worst. Hopefully you'll feel all better tomorrow, but that's awesome that you were still able to find a workout that didn't aggravate your injury. Nice work!

 

[AmyBeth68]

Allyson...how is the sciatica pain? I remember you posted about the plank over on the events thread!!!

Anyway...congratulations on signing up for the Half and the awesome adventure you are embarking on! Enjoy the year ahead...it will be filled with ups and downs...but the rewards are simply priceless! Have a great weekend.

 

[momof2minnies]

Hi Allyson,
Oh how I know sciatica pain well.As a matter of fact when I started running in Sept. I was right in the middle of agony.

I was literally stretching one day using a band and my pelvis/hip area made an unbelieveable loud sound and popped whatever back into place, it has not hurt since.I believe it is an injury of manipulation versus inflammed nerve like they say.Like I said as soon as it moved back into place-GONE!

Can you stand one more day of this wretched winter?Well I guess we could be Oregon and just got 7 FEET of snow-no thanks!

Take care,
Linda

 

[hockeygirl]

Hey Allyson! Hope the sciatica pain is feeling better....I have had that before and I know it is not fun! Make sure you take care of it. It is a good sign though that you were able to get back to working out after a few days rest.

Keep up the good work!

 

[MomofCKJ]

Thanks friends!

Did 3 miles on the Gazelle today. I am just so done with the weather. It has been icy and slushy and cold. I live in a very small town that doesn't really do well with snow removal. So the roads have just been bad. The sides get mounds of slush that freezes and you just have bumpy icy ick all over them. I am too afraid to slip and hurt myself so I have been staying inside and I really want sun and warm so I can get outside!!!!!!

On a brighter note, 26 days till we are back in Disney. I can't believe it is finally drawing near!

Allyson

 

[3DisneyKids]

Hi Allyson--

I was browsing WISH journals (which I like to do for encouragement and motivation) and felt that we are living parallel lives!

I am in Maine, have 3 kids (right now ages 5, 7, and 8...close to yours), will turn 40 next year and really want to something "major" for that milestone, so I have set a goal of running the 1/2 in 2009! (Sound familiar? )

Right now I am up to running 3 - 3.5 miles a day, 5 days a week (thanks to couch to 5k!). Like you, I have NEVER been a runner before, so this is totally amazing to me that I have even come this far! I also have a weight loss goal, wanting to lose about 20 pounds.

Anyway, just thought I would introduce myself and subscribe to your journal!

Erika

 

[momof2minnies]

Hi Allyson,
How has the pain been?

I so hear you about this flipping weather.At least you will be leaving it soon.

Have a good one,
Linda

 

[MomofCKJ]

Got out there today despite the cold (no wind so it is more bearable) and moved on the the Week 2 of the Couch to 5K. Had my podcast and with Robert the Podcast guy's encouragement, off we went. This one increased the running intervals to 90 seconds and the walks to 2 minutes. And I did it without trouble. I was so happy I got out there. 2.5 miles.

I had a slacker week and I knew I had to just do it as they say. Otherwise it is so easy for me to fall into that trap of doing nothing this week, then next week, then its been too long and then that voice inside says "See, told you that you couldn't do this". Not going to happen this time, no way.


Welcome Erika! Thanks for posting and yes we do seem to have a lot in common! Good for you for registering for the Half! We'll see you there! And 3 miles 5x a week, that is great! I hope by spring's end I am able to do that too! You rock!

Where in Maine are you from? We vacation in June each year in Ocean Park. We LOVE Maine!

Thanks everyone for the encouragement, it really means a lot to me!

Allyson

 

[3DisneyKids]

Just realized that you are leaving in TWO WEEKS! WOW! SO jealous as this has been a horrendous winter in terms of weather and I am so dreaming of Florida!

Yup, we are very close to Old Orchard....I am in Kennebunkport, which is an amazing and wonderful place to live year round. We love Maine, too!

Good for you for getting out there! Keep going--we are totally going to be ready for the 1/2!