Half marathon plan

Hi all,

How are you tonight?

Yesterday, I went to the gym and had a great workout. My trainer and I did a combination of upper and lower body. We focused on some free weight arm presses as well as squats and round house kicks. It’s crazy how hard these exercises used to be for me. Well, they are still hard but I am feeling so much stronger. Strength training is a lot like running because you surprise yourself. Something you didn’t think you could do easily a month ago, you can do now with ease. It’s a great way to see results by examining performance. I definitely think it’s helping my running as well. I’m more powerful, fast, and I can run up hills that I never thought possible!

Next week, I officially start my Pittsburgh Half Marathon training (wow, it’s still crazy to type that!). I want to share with you my plan. As Chic Runner always says, you have to make a plan that works with you and your schedule, so I did just that. It’s a slight variation of the Hal Higdon novice plan.

As you can see, I have incorporated strength training into my plan because it’s been really successful for me so far. I am doing Upper Body on Mondays so that my legs have strength to complete my Tuesday and Wednesday runs. Then on Thursday, I will incorporate a Lower Body workout which works well because Friday will be a rest day and Saturday is a cross training day. By Sunday, my legs should be well rested and ready for my long run.

I’m really excited to incorporate Cross Training into this plan as well. It won’t be anything too high impact – most likely elliptical training, bike riding, hiking, or swimming. Anything to keep my blood flowing. I strategically put Cross Training on Saturday so I could possibly convince Dan to join me (he loves a good bike ride or hike!). Thursdays are also a good Cross Training day because I’ll already be at the gym training my lower body.

I’m really excited to get started! There’s nothing like a good fitness goal to keep you moving. I can’t believe I like running because growing up, I could barely run around a football field let along what I’m doing now.

Me finishing my FIRST race (a 5K) on July 4, 2007

Just finished the Cherry Blossom 10 mile run last April!

My mom and I after the Cherry Blossom before she literally had to help me back to the metro. I was LIMPING in pain. Turns out, I needed a bigger shoe… the problem is now solved! (I wear Brooks size 10 and they have worked wonders for my flat feet).

Have a great night!

hugs,

Julie

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