Training Plan & Other Stuff

A few of you out there in bloggerville have asked about my training plan. I
have signed up for a half marathon on
May 11th. This will be my 3rd half marathon.


When I first started running races, I would find a training plan on
line and stick to it (or at least TRY to). But now, I have a much easier
approach. Basically, I look at the race day and just make sure I get in a 10
miler the week before. Then I go back each weekend and build up to it (running
my longer distances on the weekend). For example:
May 11 Race Day
May 3 Run 10 miles
April 26 Run 9 miles
April 19 Run 8 miles
April 12 Run 7 miles
April 5 Run 6 miles
Mar 29 Run 5 miles

Then during the week, I just try to get in at least 3 days of running around 3 or 4 miles. This way I am not really on a strict schedule except weekends. I did this for my last half and it seemed to work fine. Of course, I'm no professional and can barely keep my miles under 10 minutes, but it works for me.

Now, since I have hills in this next race, I am going to add hills into my longer runs. I didn't do it this weekend - it took all my strength just to get 5 miles in (a little too much drinking this weekend). But starting next weekend with my 6, I will add some hill work.

In other news, I was tagged by Cara to sum up my life in 6 words. Check out the link to see where this idea came from - pretty cool. Of course, the challenge proved more difficult than it seems on the surface.

The first one that popped into my head was:
"It's never too late to change."

Imaginary Friends

When I was a kid, I had 2 imaginary friends. Mimi was the girl. She was sweet, friendly and always followed the rules. Tada was the boy. He was a trouble-maker, always playing tricks and banging his head against the wall when he didn't get his way.

If they were around today (which I SWEAR they are NOT), I think they would be having a conversation like this:

Mimi: Remember you signed up for a half marathon in May?

Tada: Yea, so? What of it?

Mimi: Well, you really should be training, shouldn't you?

Tada: Sheesh, it's just a half marathon fatty. You can do it in your sleep.

Mimi: Who are you kidding? For one, there are HILLS in this race. And you know how you feel about hills.

Tada: So.

Mimi: And to make matters worse, your family is will be there. You don't want to disappoint them by, say, DROPPING DEAD as you cross the finish line.

Tada: So.

Mimi: That's it. I am implementing a new training program starting tomorrow morning. And there is no getting out of it.

Tada: GOSH! (bangs head against wall)

See. I told you Tada was annoying (but at least he doesn't swear). Anyway, now there's a plan in place, thanks to Mimi.