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Half Marathon training for weeks 4 & 5

What a busy two weeks! I started a new job as an administrative assistant, but have been working at my former job (in the Principal's office at a school) for the last two weeks as well! It has been a real challenge to fit my training runs in, and I've had to do quite a bit of creative scheduling to make it happen. I will be spending my last week at my school job and that will be ending on Feb. 19. After that, I will be back to a more manageable schedule with my new job offering quite a bit of flexibility and the opportunity to work at home some if I really need to.

Week 4 of my training brought a hill workout and a couple of short, speedy runs (short being 3 and 4 milers). I had to do the hill workout and one of the short runs on a treadmill because of frigid temperatures (blustery and in the teens). Week 4's long run was 8 miles, which was my longest run to date. I was pretty happy with how I felt at the end--tired, but not completely exhausted. At least I was able to function for the rest of the day--doing fun stuff like laundry & grocery shopping. In between my running, I also did strength training with a trainer on Tuesday. I enjoyed a gift certificate for a massage on Friday evening...that could really become a habit!

Week 5 was a bit lighter of a week. I had another hill workout which I did on the treadmill again due to very messy, snowy, wet weather we've had around here. I had a couple more 3 and 4 mile runs and my long run yesterday (Saturday 2/13) was back to 7 miles. I felt good during my run, but I was dreaming of another massage after--especially since I gave my hubby a gift certificate for a massage for Valentine's Day. I also strength trained on Thursday with my personal training small group.

My time has been so packed that I've copy & pasted the last couple of posts from my Team World Vision training page--perhaps I'll be able to offer a little wit & wisdom when things calm down a little. I keep standing amazed at myself that I've actually been pretty religious with my training schedule, haven't dropped out and am making steady progress. I've never done anything this challenging before and I have a tendency to "rethink my goals" when things become "not fun" anymore. I have to say that I'm pretty proud of myself, especially because I have not found myself to be a real lover of running. I do love the effects of it, and the sense of accomplishment that I'm getting, but I can't say that it would be in my top picks of riotously fun things to do. Out of 25 runs (in 5 weeks) I have only missed 3 3-mile runs. Two were due to kid-scheduling issues and the third was because of a pulled muscle in my back which I decided to rest before my long run the following day.

All in all, things are coming along, and I can actually see myself running a half marathon in 7 more weeks.

Comments

Nicki said…
Way to go! I didn't realize you were squeezing your workouts in between two jobs. That makes it extra tough.

Where did you get your massage? I had one last July in Maine and it was fantastic. Keep thinking I need to save the money and get another one soon.

You are going to rock the half in April!!!
Suzy said…
You are one busy lady!! Your training is coming along and you'll be great in April.
Good job at sticking to your 1/2 marathon training schedule even though running is not one of your very favorite things to do!
Anonymous said…
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Tay said…
Seeing yourself running the half mile marathon is good...keeping your goal right in front of you will help you meet it.
Molly said…
I think it says a lot that you can see yourself running that distance in seven weeks, way to go!

and thank you for your comment on my last post, it's crazy how life is sometimes. And I'm sorry for the loss of your friend.
A great post - I continually feel that it's less simple than I previously thought.
Thank you, that was just an awesome post!!!.....

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