Half Marathon Training Progress

Most of you know that I am currently training (casually and on my own) for my very first 1/2 marathon. That's right - 13.1 miles of pure madness! I'm SO excited. On June 26th I'll be running the streets from Tukwila to Seattle during the Rock 'n' Roll Marathon in Seattle.

After losing all this weight - a total of 90 pounds since delivering Allison in May of last year - I really wanted to find a way to keep it off. I know that working out is a great way to stay healthy but having a goal like running the half marathon is even more motivation to get moving and eat smart.

My approximate running schedule will get me ready for the half marathon in 15 weeks. I am about a month ahead because I started early, but I knew if I didn't get on it right away I would slack off more than I need to. So I run 4 times a week (Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays) Saturdays are my long run, each week the distance increases by 1 mile. The other run days are shorter runs every week ranging from two to four miles each.

I completed my first five mile run today. I'm so thrilled to be able to jog that distance. I averaged 10 minute miles today which is my best time, ironically. As I was running I was thinking of all these things that I wanted to write in my blog about my feelings, my motivations, my body and all other randomness to keep the focus off the distance...alas, I have forgotten most of them.

Here's what I do remember:

• Some one told me years ago that when you run, always remember one thing, 'Your mind will quit before your body does.' This is my mantra. Whenever I feel like giving up I ask myself over and over again - is this your mind wanting to walk? Run until you will literally collapse - and I haven't collapsed (or even been remotely close) yet!
• After about four miles, my legs move with a life of their own. My movements are no longer labored or painful, they are just movements. It takes no thought in my head to make them go - it's during this time I am totally at peace running. My mind can wander and my body just goes.
• You CAN run through side cramps. Jogging on a slight incline actually helps.
• It's possible to run and not feel winded - which seems like a total contradiction in terms.
• I picture Forrest Gump running as a role model - and I HATED that movie.

That magic distance that seems absolutely unattainable for me? Eight miles. When I surpass eight miles, that is going to be crazy. I'm so excited. My mini-goal before the half marathon is to jog from my mom's house to my house. It's only 6.5 miles so there and back would be the half...