3 Weeks And Counting!

Yesterday marked 3 weeks until the PF Chang's Rock N Roll Half Marathon I'll be running!  And I ran 10 miles!!!  I'm so proud of myself!  I honestly wasn't sure I'd be able to do it, but I made it, and actually felt good afterward!

I even practiced my fueling strategy during my run, and think I have that figured out for race day too.  Yesterday was such a breakthrough for me!  I'm more confident than ever in my ability to complete the half.

While purchasing new running shoes the other day, I also picked up a book called Running Arizona.  It lists hundreds of events mostly in AZ throughout 2014.  So, my resolution for 2014 is going to be to complete an event every month.  It may just be a 5k, or I may do more half marathons!  But I'll do something every month!

I'm reminded this holiday season that running is a gift, so I'll treat it like one and cherish it every day.  I hope you do the same!

~ Courtney

Turkey "Trot" My A**!

Okay, so you can tell from the title that I ran in a Turkey Trot.  And said Turkey Trot occurred on Thanksgiving morning.  My husband convinced me to do the 10k instead of the 5k - which probably would have been more of a trot (since I run about 5k every time I'm not doing a long distance run for training).

Well, let me just say, this was no trot.  I trotted.  Others did not.  My husband left me at the starting line and never looked back.  I thought we were running 6.2 miles for fun - but oh no, he and others were out for blood, I mean medals!  Sheesh!

Anyway, I completed my run (trot) and am proud to say I finished my first race!  It was fun, and I definitely earned the turkey, stuffing, rolls, potatoes and pie I ate later that day!!

Looking forward to the next one (race that is)!

~ Courtney

Strong

Going to pat myself on the back - I reached my goal for the week yesterday and ran 6 miles!  Woo hoo!

Now, on to tackle this week's goal - 7 miles... no wimps around here!

~ Courtney

My Own Worst Enemy

This is week 4 of my half marathon training.  And I guess I keep expecting it to get easier.  But I also think I need to realize that running has never been easy for me, and that this just isn't ever going to be "easy"...

I also realized this morning, that I am my own worst enemy.  I have probably mentioned before that I think I can't go any further, so I don't.  And I KEEP doing that!  You'd think after a year of running I'd stop with the negative thinking, but no.  I still sabotage myself on almost every run.

So, here's my pledge to myself again that I'll say I CAN.  I have no other choice.  I am strong, I am determined and I don't like to fail.  So, I will do this.  And I also need to remind myself that this is supposed to be fun.  I'm not running to win the race.  I'm doing it to prove to myself that I can - no matter how long it takes me to cross that finish line!  I can do this!!

~ Courtney

Reality Sets In...

In case you hadn't noticed, or have yet to flip the page on your calendar - it's October!!!  That means it's the month I have to really get serious about my half marathon training.  And so, reality sets in.

No more slacking off.  No more taking time off to move.  No more "easy runs because I have time to start training later" excuses.  This is it.  Holy smokes.

And as that reality sets in, I am settling in to a new house in a new neighborhood.  Which means figuring out new running routes!  Fun, but a little daunting a the same time.  And let me just tell you, this new area has hills.  Big ones.  And very few bike lanes, so sidewalks it is.  Bummer.  But, onward and upward!

Here's my training plan from www.walkjogrun.net in case any of you want to try it out or create your own!!!

Weekly Overview

Click on a week number to see the daily descriptions for that week. Enter a race date below to customize the plan for an upcoming race. Once you've settled on a plan, drag this link to your bookmarks for easy reference. My half training plan

Race Date:  

Week	Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday	Saturday	Sunday
Week 1 Oct 14	Oct 14 Run 30 mins	Oct 15 Cross-Training 40 mins	Oct 16 Run 35 mins	Oct 17 Cross-Training 40 mins	Oct 18 Rest Day	Oct 19 Run-Endurance 4 miles	Oct 20 Rest Day
Week 2 Oct 21	Oct 21 Run 30 mins	Oct 22 Cross-Training 40 mins	Oct 23 Run 35 mins	Oct 24 Cross-Training 40 mins	Oct 25 Rest Day	Oct 26 Run-Endurance 4 miles	Oct 27 Rest Day
Week 3 Oct 28	Oct 28 Run 30 mins	Oct 29 Cross-Training 40 mins	Oct 30 Run 35 mins	Oct 31 Cross-Training 40 mins	Nov 1 Rest Day	Nov 2 Run-Endurance 5 miles	Nov 3 Rest Day
Week 4 Nov 4	Nov 4 Run 35 mins	Nov 5 Cross-Training 40 mins	Nov 6 Run 40 mins	Nov 7 Cross-Training 40 mins	Nov 8 Rest Day	Nov 9 Run-Endurance 4 miles	Nov 10 Rest Day
Week 5 Nov 11	Nov 11 Run 35 mins	Nov 12 Cross-Training 40 mins	Nov 13 Run 40 mins	Nov 14 Cross-Training 40 mins	Nov 15 Rest Day	Nov 16 Run-Endurance 6 miles	Nov 17 Rest Day
Week 6 Nov 18	Nov 18 Run 40 mins	Nov 19 Cross-Training 40 mins	Nov 20 Run 40 mins	Nov 21 Cross-Training 40 mins	Nov 22 Rest Day	Nov 23 Run-Endurance 7 miles	Nov 24 Rest Day
Week 7 Nov 25	Nov 25 Run 40 mins	Nov 26 Cross-Training 40 mins	Nov 27 Run 45 mins	Nov 28 Cross-Training 40 mins	Nov 29 Rest Day	Nov 30 Run-Endurance 8 miles	Dec 1 Rest Day
Week 8 Dec 2	Dec 2 Run 40 mins	Dec 3 Cross-Training 40 mins	Dec 4 Run 45 mins	Dec 5 Cross-Training 40 mins	Dec 6 Run 30 mins	Dec 7 Run-Endurance 6 miles	Dec 8 Rest Day
Week 9 Dec 9	Dec 9 Run 40 mins	Dec 10 Cross-Training 40 mins	Dec 11 Run 50 mins	Dec 12 Cross-Training 40 mins	Dec 13 Run 30 mins	Dec 14 Run-Endurance 9 miles	Dec 15 Rest Day
Week 10 Dec 16	Dec 16 Run 45 mins	Dec 17 Cross-Training 40 mins	Dec 18 Run 50 mins	Dec 19 Cross-Training 40 mins	Dec 20 Rest Day	Dec 21 Run-Endurance 6 miles	Dec 22 Rest Day
Week 11 Dec 23	Dec 23 Run 45 mins	Dec 24 Cross-Training 40 mins	Dec 25 Run 50 mins	Dec 26 Cross-Training 40 mins	Dec 27 Run 30 mins	Dec 28 Run-Endurance 10 miles	Dec 29 Rest Day
Week 12 Dec 30	Dec 30 Run 45 mins	Dec 31 Cross-Training 40 mins	Jan 1 Run 50 mins	Jan 2 Cross-Training 40 mins	Jan 3 Run 30 mins	Jan 4 Run-Endurance 8 miles	Jan 5 Rest Day
Week 13 Jan 6	Jan 6 Run 45 mins	Jan 7 Cross-Training 40 mins	Jan 8 Run 45 mins	Jan 9 Cross-Training 30 mins	Jan 10 Rest Day	Jan 11 Run-Endurance 6 miles	Jan 12 Rest Day
Week 14 Jan 13	Jan 13 Run 40 mins	Jan 14 Rest Day	Jan 15 Run 30 mins	Jan 16 Rest Day	Jan 17 Run 20 mins	Jan 18 Rest Day	Jan 19 Race Day! 13.1 miles

~ Courtney