W2, D4

It was GORGEOUS outside this morning. It had a smokey, moist smell - which reminded me of the mission trip I took several years ago to Honduras. Needless to say, my morning walk/jog was filled with many pleasant memories.

As I walked/jogged down memory lane, I thought I would do a a little interval training while I as there. After a 2 minute warm up walk, I started the this walking/jogging progression; 15s-30s-45s-1min. Then reversed it: 1min-45s-30s-15s. Then did a 5 minute walk at a leisurely purposed pace, then jogged for 2m:33s. Then another 5 minute walk, and a jog for 3m:10s. Finally, a 2 minute walk and a 20s 'sprint'.

I was not really concerened today about distance or pace time, but here is the general information:
Total Time: 30 minutes
Distance: 1.61 miles
Avg Pace: 18:37
Walking Pace: 18:30 - 19:45
Jogging Pace: 14:30 - 15:30
Sprint Pace: 13:45

I'm pleased with the progress, and am seeing small improvements. They key is consistancy, and to not be afraid to push myself a little harder. I'm looking forward to tomorrow's day o' rest.

Hebrews 12:1

Week 2, day 2 & 3

Yesterday's training was an easy 30-minute walk. However, I wanted to challenge myself, so I set a goal of 1.5 miles in that timeframe - which I met. I was able to shave 1:03 off of my pace mile. I still need to get it down another 3-4 minutes, but that will come over time.

During the first mile yesterday, I thought I might need to just chop off my legs from the knees down. I had the worst shin splints I've had in a long time. BUT...i pushed through and didn't quit until I had done with the mile. That's huge for me.

Today's training was a 20-minute 'stroll' at a 'window shopping' speed. So, in order to maximize my time...I took that stroll in Walmart, which is where I started off my work day at 8:30 this morning. It was a slow pace, but I can feel every muscle in my legs working together.

My energy level has been kind of low these last couple of days. I think I need to track how much water i'm drinking because I am almost 100% sure it's not enough, and I need to get some more fruits and veggies in my diet.

Struggling today to do anything with perseverence. I pray tomorrow will be better.

Week 2, Day 1

I was VERY grateful for today's day of rest. I was excited that I was not sore, from this past week - but I totally needed a day to sleep in and not be concerned about the morning walk. But, I am excited to go out tomorrow morning, and walk my 30 minutes. There isn't a distance goal on the schedule, but my personal goal is 1.5 miles.

32 days until BBVAC 5k
110 days until Half-marathon.

Walking with perseverence and purpose. Always working toward throwing off all that holds me back.

Sweaty Day 7

Today's training: 3 miles. Even though there wasn't a time limit on my 3 miles, I set one for myself. I wanted to finish today in under an hour...which I did!

I hitched a ride with my best friend to her work, and then walked back to the apartment - which is a little over 3 miles. I've made that journey one other time before a couple of years ago, but it took me about 2 hours 45 minutes.

I realized a few things this morning: this journey really is made by putting one foot infront of the other; step by step. I could have turned back and asked to be taken home, or i could have called someone to pick me up. And part of me wanted to. Once I turned the corner from Hartsfield on to Misson Rd., I felt a little discouragement settle in because I saw just how much road was ahead of me. It took quite a bit of energy to find my groove so that each step was purposeful. But I did. I had to trick my brain by setting small distance goals: 'I can make it to the speed limit sign; the stop light, the subdivion'; rinse and repeat.

Realization numero dos (#2) - About halfway through my walk, I felt a very painful stinging in my eyes - and finally understood why people where headbands. I think I just might have to get one of my own - Hot pink perhaps. :)

Realization #3 - this half marathon is gunna be crazy. If I felt overwhelmed about the couple of miles ahead of me, I can't even imagine what will go through my head the day of the event. Some of the emotions might be: excitement, fear, nearvousness, lonliness, joy, sadness - among others, i'm sure. But I must remind myself often, that the only way to get from start to finish is one step at time, walking in the moment, thinking of nothing else.

i'm also learning just how awesome the human body is, and what it's capable of doing. more to come on that later.

Running with perseverance this race set before me...one step at time.

Training Day 6

Today's goal was to walk 30 mintues.

I've not been feeling 100% the last couple of days, and so I just wanted to stay home. But at 7:30 tonight, I pushed past the sickening feeling in my tummy, and went for a walk - totally convinced that my walk would make me feel better.

I began my walk and the next thing I knew...I'd hit the walkers groove. Arms swinging in graceful time with the opposite leg.

I exeeded my goal by 8 minutes - and tackled 2 miles. Of those 2 miles, i jogged 2 sets of .25 miles, 1 of which was at a 14:55 pace. I was quite pleased.

Working every day to run with perseverence this race that is ahead of me.

Training day 5

On the training grid - yesterdays marathon training was a day of rest. I know that rest is an EXTREMELY important part of the big picture...but I kind of found it hard to. I wanted to go walking/jogging. In all honesty, I probably could have walked and been ok; however, once the training become more intense as the weeks go on...those days of rest will become so vital.

I am thinking, too, that I need to start adding a daily strength training routine: push-ups, crunches, etc. These things will help to make me stronger in the long run (no pun intended).

Sometimes, when I think about the big picture...I get butterflies in my tummy. It seems sureal that I am actually going to do this. The always-pudgy kid...has finally gotten her act together and is going to finish a half-marathon. Wow! **huge, cheezy, smiley grin**

34 days until my 1st 5k (june 19)
112 days unitl half marathon (sept 5)

C'mon - let's run with perseverance this race marked out for us and kick to the curb EVERTHING that holds us back!

Training Day 4

So, according to Hal Higdon's Training to walk a half-marathon plan, I was to walk for 30 minutes at an easy pace. There is a small part of me that wonders if this walking plan was meant for people who are in some semblace of shape - which I'm not. So, I did about a 20 minute mile, then jogged a 8 minute half mile.

Part of my training over the next few months will be telling my brain to SHUT UP! When I start running, and get a little winded - my brain often tells my body to stop what its doing because it shouldn't be out of breath. For all of its smarts, my brain can be so dumb sometimes.

I have NO INTENTION of running the entire half-marathon. However, I do have 2 goals: 1) to Finish, and 2) to not be last.

Some cool (to me) relizations: I can actually jog .5 miles and be ok; my heart rate returns to normal fairly quickly (it takes about a minute); while jogging, the sound of my knees no longers elicits pain.

for me, this is like discovering the world again, for the first time. I've been overweight all my life. I've never really been athletic, minus and aptitude for TaeKwonDo. To be able to run 20 paces and not keel over, is great - to run a half a mile and not die is AWESOME, to finish a half marathon - UNBELIEVABL!!!

So...to Run with Perseverace this race marked out for us. Today, the word that that jumps out to me is perseverance. What does it mean? To keep going, not give up. We will probably stumble, and may even fall, but with perseverance - we always get back up and find the right path. To me, it also means tenaciously fighting for the goal - doing MY best for that particular moment.

Be encouraged, friend - we are not alone!!!