Half-marathon on the books!

Happy 2013!

I’m excited about the New Year, particularly my biggest challenge of the year – aside from the resolution to make my bed every day –the marathon challenge!  The Marathon is 10 weeks from today! Yesterday I completed the ½ marathon distance – 13.1 miles.  Since it was a training run, and not a “race,” I did it more slowly than the other 2 actual ½ marathon races I’ve done.  But, it still H-U-R-T!  I finished the distance in 2:41:41 – about 12:21 min/ mile.  My heart rate kept nice and steady, and the pace was at the bottom edge of what these long slow distances are supposed to be – so, I felt pretty good about that!

The training during the week is getting a little longer, so my challenge now is to make sure to find the time to do it!  I’m still REALLY struggling with the morning run.  I need to schedule these on Wednesday mornings, since the distances are much longer that I can do just in my neighborhood (I need the long greenway) -  but it is just so darn hard to get out of the bed on these cold mornings!  So, pray that I get a little more motivated on Wednesday mornings – I would sure appreciate it!

As the runs are getting longer, I’ve started listening to an audio book, instead of music – I’m really enjoying the 1^st book in the “A Game of Thrones” series.  However, I would like to try to start using those long runs for a thinking time, but I have found that a little O.C.D sneaks in, rather than peaceful meditation.  I’ve discovered that I’m a step counter.  Ugh.  Not like the total number, more like the rhythm.  As I’m going along, all of a sudden I notice I’m counting rhythm in my head – 1,2,3,4…1,2,3,4.  Once I realize I’m doing it, it really gets annoying – because I’m trying to stop and think about something else, and that just focuses my mind more on the counting – a real conundrum.  So, I have to keep occupied with the audio book, until my neurosis calms down.  

Here is what this week looks like, training-wise:

Today: cross training

Monday: 3 miles

Tuesday: rest

Wednesday: 7 miles

Thursday: 4 miles

Friday: rest

Saturday: 10 miles