Of rocks and hard places

This week was a doozy. The kids and I have been sick and not sleeping. We are snowed in, I’m dieting which always makes me a little on edge and we have been handed some news that’s a bit out of our control. I don’t handle these things well, I like to make my own decisions not have them made for me. And it seems that doing the right thing is almost never the easy thing. But we are fine, I am fine. And I have daffodils, which, lets face it, they aren’t chocolate but they are nice.  Happy Weekend!

(creepy newspaper mache bird is staring RIGHT at you)

The Plan

Okay, crazies, sounds like there are a few of us who are going to do this.

I am using Hal Higdon’s novice training program. First up is the 5K.

Week	Mon	Tue	Wed	Thu	Fri	Sat	Sun
1	Rest or run/walk	1.5 m run	Rest or run/walk	1.5 m run	Rest	1.5 m run	30- 60 min walk
2	Rest or run/walk	1.75 m run	Rest or run/walk	1.5 m run	Rest	1.75 m run	35-60 min walk
3	Rest or run/walk	2 mi run	Rest or run/walk	1.5 m run	Rest	2 MI run	40-60 min walk
4	Rest or run/walk	2.25 m run	Rest or run/walk	1.5 m run	Rest	2.25 m run	45-60 min walk
5	Rest or run/walk	2.5 m run	Rest or run/walk	2 m run	Rest	2.5 m run	50-60 min walk
6	Rest or run/walk	2.75 m run	Rest or run/walk	2 m run	Rest	2.75 m run	55-60 min walk
7	Rest or run/walk	3 m run	Rest or run/walk	2 m run	Rest	3 m run	60 min walk
8	Rest or run/walk	3 m run	Rest or run/walk	2 m run	Rest	Rest	5-K Race

This is an 8 week program for 3 miles. Personally, I know I won’t need 8 weeks, I will be good to move on at 4. Then I will move on to the 10k, this is where it gets a little harder. I’ve done this one before and hadn’t run since track in high school. I thought this was insane and there was no way that I’d be able to do it. But I was,I did. It rocked.

1	Stretch & strength	2.5 m run	30 min cross	2 m run + strength	Rest	40 min cross	3 m run
2	Stretch & strength	2.5 m run	30 min cross	2 m run + strength	Rest	40 min cross	3.5 m run
3	Stretch & strength	2.5 m run	35 min cross	2 m run + strength	Rest	50 min cross	4 m run
4	Stretch & strength	3 m run	35 min cross	2 m run + strength	Rest	50 min cross	4 m run
5	Stretch & strength	3 m run	40 min cross	2 m run + strength	Rest	60 min cross	4.5 m run
6	Stretch & strength	3 m run	40 min cross	2 m run + strength	Rest	60 min cross	5 m run
7	Stretch & strength	3 m run	45 min cross	2 m run + strength	Rest	60 min cross	5.5 m run
8	Stretch & strength	3 m run	30 min cross	2 m run + strength	Rest	Rest	10-K Race

This will get us to 6 miles, over half way. Yikes!  Next you can choose the 15K or the Half training. I’m leaning toward the Half with some lofty ambition that I will run the 11 on my birthday July, 11 and then run the Columbus Half in October. Saying this out loud makes me want to vomit. I’m honestly scared to death of running this thing but I’m going to look into it and see how late you can register. I will start this one at week 5. So, here’s the Half.

Week	Mon	Tue	Wed	Thu	Fri	Sat	Sun
1	Stretch & Strengthen	3 m run	2 m run or cross	3 m run + strength	Rest	30 min cross	4 m run
2	Stretch & Strengthen	3 m run	2 m run or cross	3 m run + strength	Rest	30 min cross	4 m run
3	Stretch & Strengthen	3.5 m run	2 m run or cross	3.5 m run + strength	Rest	40 min cross	5 m run
4	Stretch & Strengthen	3.5 m run	2 m run or cross	3.5 m run + strength	Rest	40 min cross	5 m run
5	Stretch & Strengthen	4 m run	2 m run or cross	4 m run + strength	Rest	40 min cross	6 m run
6	Stretch & Strengthen	4 m run	2 m run or cross	4 m run + strength	Rest or easy run	Rest	5-K Race
7	Stretch & Strengthen	4.5 m run	3 m run or cross	4.5 m run + strength	Rest	50 min cross	7 m run
8	Stretch & Strengthen	4.5 m run	3 m run or cross	4.5 m run + strength	Rest	50 min cross	8 m run
9	Stretch & Strengthen	5 m run	3 m run or cross	5 m run + strength	Rest or easy run	Rest	10-K Race
10	Stretch & Strengthen	5 m run	3 m run or cross	5 m run + strength	Rest	60 min cross	9 m run
11	Stretch & Strengthen	5 m run	3 m run or cross	5 m run + strength	Rest	60 min cross	10 m run
12	Stretch & Strengthen	4 m run	3 m run or cross	2 m run	Rest	Rest	Half Marathon

Scary, isn’t it? I havent even started yet! Ben isnt sleeping due to teething and Nate’s sick and I’m doing well just to keep up with the laundry and brush my teeth. BUT, I’m so motivated! So excited. So looking to rock being in my mid 30′s with 2 kids and taking care of myself and feeling good in my own body again. I’m ready to live again and I know that excercise is totally my gate-way drug to better living.

Sill in?

The ultimate goal

I just read a tweet that gave me an idea. A really big idea.

My first item on my list for this year is to run. I have a training program that I’ve followed before and it works, I like it, I know I can do it.  I just decided that I will train for more than just a 10 k. 

On November 11, 2011. I will run 11 miles. I can’t think of a cooler way to mark a great date. 11-11-11.

11 miles. I’ve never run more than 6 at one time. This is big and scary and I’ve never been this old or this out of shape but for some reason, I think I can do it.

Anyone want to join me?