Making a Plan!

I have been talking to one of my running friends about making a plan for my last 5 weeks of training. She suggested that I incorporate speed training once a week, while getting in 2 other runs, our Saturday run, and some form of cross training. This works out to be 4 times a week of exercise. That seems doable. Here's what speed training looks like...I am going to be doing mile repeats, or in my case...half mile repeats. They look like this:

5 min walk
1/2 mile run/walk at 30 seconds faster than desired race pace
2-3 min walk to catch my breath
1/2 mile run/walk at 30 seconds faster than desired race pace
2-3 min walk to catch my breath

This set would be 2 mile repeats.

Since I have 5 more weeks of training to go, this is the schedule of speed training I have to go:

2 mile repeats
4 mile repeats
6 mile repeats
8 mile repeats
10 mile repeats

That's as far as I'm going to go and it should put me in good shape for the race.

Here's what's interesting. I am so much faster on a treadmill than I am outside, so I'm going to need to do my speedwork outside. That should kill me since it's so much harder to go fast outside, yet I have to be 30 seconds faster than race pace. It'll be good for me, though and I feel good about it.

I'm so grateful to have found my focus again. This time last year, I pretty much gave up and ran that race rusty and with no confidence. This year, it will NOT be the case. I am determined to see AT LEAST a 6:59:59! CROSS YOUR FINGERS FOR ME!!!!

Speed Work!

My friend Carrie finished her big Marathon today and it inspired me to get serious about my own Marathon training. I am running my 3rd marathon in 41 days and I need to get myself comfortable running faster. I'm not very knowledgeable on speed training processes, so I'm hoping she will walk me through it and tell me what I need to do. Sometimes all the numbers can get confusing.

But yeah, I'm excited about getting some focus and I'm already down in weight, too. YAY! I don't have any more serious temptations nutrition wise, until Thanksgviging. This gives me some time to do some serious work.

I'm also getting excited about the Princess Half Marathon in February. They just released the medal, it's SO cute, it's PINK!!!! YAY!!!!

I'm glad to be excited about things again and I am sensing some real progress in my future!

WOOP! :0)

My Fitness Pal

So I'm pretty excited because a few more of my friends have joined My Fitness Pal so I think I'm going to start keeping up with that more. I'm kind of frustrated with the site, though because they have developed a linking application to Body Media Fit but it isn't working. And Body Media is so much more user friendly. I always get annoyed when I have to input food into MFP. SO, I'm not sure what I'm going to do. I temporarily unlinked it to see if I can figure out the problem. We shall see.

Good news! I found out that my favorite Zumba instructor is teaching a class in Lewisville on Wednesdays. I'm really excited to be going to Zumba again. I really loved it when I used to go regularly.

I'm still struggling to find my motivation but I think after this weekend, I will get serious. I'm so sick of staying the same weight!!

I can't believe how soon my marathon is coming up. 5 and a half weeks!!!!

Epiphany

So I've been doing A LOT of thinking about my life and how I can reach my maximum potential. I do very well in my professional life since I am so ambitious. I always represent myself well and am always looking for ways to better myself and my future. The one thing I've never fully gotten a grip on is my weight. I've struggled since I can remember and it's really starting to hold me back. Now I know I'm not huge, but I need to step it up and take better care of myself. It's time to get focused again. So, I'm regrouping and finding ways to get myself back on the right path. Here are my thoughts so far:

-I need to COMMIT to 4-5 days of exercise a week. No excuses!!

-I need to track my calorie intake every day.

-I need to get in my 8 glasses of water every day.

-I need to take my vitamins every day.

I'm thinking of getting in an exercise routine. I need to get in 2 weekday runs and a long run on Saturday, so that leaves me one to two extra days to cross train. I'm thinking I want to go back to Zumba. I really enjoyed that when I used to go all the time. I also am getting interested in strength training and am considering starting those bodypump classes at 24 hour.

This is my exercise plan for the week:

Monday-30 min run
Tuesday-30 min run
Wednesday-Zumba
Thursday-Rest
Friday-Rest
Saturday-24 mile run
Sunday-Rest

I got my run in today and I ate 1690 calories today. So far I'm on track and am doing well. I have GOT to see this through. Everyone deserves to feel confident and beautiful. It's time that I jump on the bandwagon.

Keepin' On

I know, long time no see! Don't hate!!

I've re-grouped and have been doing awesome for day and a half! HOLLA! I just finished a 21 miler with my team and it was awesome. Here is my schedule until race day:

10 miler
10 miler
23 miler
DRC Half
10 miler
10 miler
8 miler
MARATHON!!!!

I'm feeling really good that I will get a PR this year at Dallas. Let's goooo!!!!!