Training: Day 17

With people coming for a New Year's Eve Rock Band party, I didn't get out today. I know. Lame excuses.....

Training: Day 16

Tuesday was a rest day. Luckily, I actually wasn't sore! I was quite shocked. Didn't get around to making bread, again.

Training: Day 15

Today began the week of the 25 minute run/walk. And guess what!? I went! I did it. This time I ran at least half which way outdoes my not quite half of 20 minutes on Saturday. This time the running was very slow. My shins hurt at first, but then I got used to it. Luckily, I also have a rather high threshold for pain. I am proud of myself for getting out there today. It was 36 degrees out there, but I got hot and took of my jacket. I had capris and a tank top on. Yeah, it gets that hot when you are working up a sweat!
Didn't get around to making my bread today. It was a busy day due to going in to work for a change.

Week 3: Healthy Eating Goal

This week my goal is to make my own bread. I have really enjoyed eating baked foods made with spelt, but it seems that all too often I just am too lazy to bake. So this week I plan to make bread, and not eat any store bought bread. It really shouldn't be too hard, I just need to do it.

Training: Day 14

I am definitely sore from running yesterday. A nice soak in the hot tub last night was nice. My shins still feel bruised today, but I think it will get better in a couple of weeks. I am not looking forward to the pain I will probably have to endure while trying to run tomorrow. I will do this. I just have to keep telling myself that I can and I will.

Training: Days 12& 13

Yesterday it just never happened. I know, I am not very good at this. It is quite a stretch for me to be doing this, but I will do it. I can do this.
Today I made it out! I walk/run on the EWEB bike path that is behind my house. There are electrical lines along it. I alternated running and walking between sets of poles. It worked out well. I ran almost half of the time. That is much better than I did the last time.
The only problem I have with running is that I get shin splints. The kind that is just caused by the muscles. I think that I can eventually work through it. I think it is just because the muscles are being used and stretched in ways they haven't in sooooo long. Any tips?

Training: Day 11

Merry Christmas! Today is a rest day. We filled up on a big early dinner and enjoyed having friends and family with us!

Training: Day 10

Today I was stuck at the sewing machine, so I did not get out. My shoulders are sore from all this sewing. I didn't even finish everything. I will get out on Friday for more running in my walk. Happy Christmas Eve!

Training: Day 9

Today, I decided to make up for yesterdays slacking. I dragged myself out of bed and went out in the near freezing morning air. I got in a tiny bit of running. Hopefully I will be able to add a tiny bit more tomorrow. It got me up and going for the day- which is really nice when you have a tendency to stay in bed as long as possible in the mornings.
This week I am modifying my schedule to look like this:
Monday: rest
Tuesday: 20 min walk/run
Wednesday: 20 min walk/run
Thursday: rest (Merry Christmas!)
Friday: 20 min walk/run
Saturday: 20 min walk/run
Sunday: rest

Week 2: Healthy Eating Goal

This week's healthy eating goal is to leave food on my plate.
This may sound weird, but it has a huge impact for me.
When I was growing up, my parents would set the timer for me to eat my carrots or whatever other food I didn't like. When the timer went off, if I hadn't eaten it I would get a spanking. I was always told to eat all of my food. I am sure that most people were told to eat everything on their plate when they were growing up. I vowed never to do that (the timer and spanking thing) to my kids. Now, I have to admit, I did this to Ashley once. She has a very difficult time eating anything other than chicken nuggets. I was trying everything I could think of to get her to eat a variety of foods. I cried as I did it (more like as I forced Jeff to do it). We never did it again. We found other means that have worked fairly well without crying or pain (hopefully- but Ashley might disagree).
Anyway, leaving a little bit of food on my plate seems to leave me with a sense of discipline. I feel empowered by it. It may sound strange, but try it. You might be surprised. I am also trying very hard to teach my children to eat only until they are satisfied.

Training: Day 8

Yeah. Not so much.

Training: Day 7

Today is my rest day. I am excited and nervous about this week. I get to run/walk. I am not sure how much to run. I guess I should take it slow and just see what I can do at this point, and then push myself further each time. It is kind of a strange time to start training- with snow and ice and then Christmas and New Years. But I will do this.

Training: Day 6

Guess what!? I walked today! It was at home in my living room. I walked back and forth across it. It was about 10:10 this evening. Yep. This blogging thing is making me get up off my behind and do something. The thought of having to leave a day blank or fess up to not doing anything is enough to make me do it! Guess its good motivation. Tomorrow is a rest day, so I was trying to think of something to blog about on rest days. Maybe I'll come up with something meaningful and somewhat related to running or training for the half marathon.

Training: Day 5

Today is a rest day. We awoke to snow again. I am still doing well eating both breakfast and lunch every day. I am looking forward to next week when I get to add a little running to my walks. Looks like next week's weather won't allow me to train outside yet. I'm not sure how I will be able to run at the mall. Anyone have any ideas on where to run in icy rain?

Week 1: Healthy Eating Goal

I am going to set a healthy eating goal each week of training. My plan is to work on the new goal that week and then continue it on each week thereafter.
This week's goal is to eat breakfast and lunch everyday. Sometimes I seem to get up late and then take my time doing "stuff" around the house and forget to eat breakfast. Then I want a snack and eat whatever I can find. If I make a conscious effort to eat both meals, I will snack less and make better food choices. I have done well so far this week.

Training: Day 4

Woohoo! Today was a go! The roads were cleared with the rain that pounded down last night, so I was able to get to the mall to walk this morning. I walked for 30 minutes. I probably should've walked a bit faster, but Bridget and I were pushing strollers. It is supposed to freeze again tonight, so we'll see about tomorrow. This weeks plan was to walk for 20 minutes 4 times. So far I've gotten in 1 time. Next week is going to be a 20 minute walk/run. I'm really hoping this cold craziness is gone by then, because I'm good at walking, but not so much when it comes to running.
At least I was able to get some training in today.

Training: Day 3

The weather is still awful. I think it is 33 degrees right now. I am hoping most of the ice will melt. I checked out the bike path where we are to do our walking and running. It has some clear spots, but half of it is still ice and snow covered. I am getting frustrated. If there is school tomorrow then I can go walk at the mall and push Natalie in the stroller. I've tried that with the 2 older girls and they get tired and complain. What is a person to do? And there is supposed to be a storm tonight with more snow/ice? And again on Sunday!? What's with this crazy weather. It usually only snows once or twice and melts off by noon! I need to get going with this training!!!!

Training: Day 2

So... Today is supposed to have a high of 16 degrees. School was canceled. Again. Today is supposed to be a rest day, but I was hoping to make up for yesterday. So much for that, seeing as how we are iced in. And now another storm is coming in tomorrow. It's supposed to stay really cold and have sleet and icy rain. Yuck. This is not working so well. What's with the freakish weather?! Pray for warmer days again so I can train, please!

Training: Day 1

Jeff and I were planning to get up at 6 this morning and start our training with a 20 minute fast paced walk. It snowed.
Because we are training outside, we weren't able to go. Unfortunately, it rained yesterday so under the snow on the pavement is a layer of frozen slush/ice. It would snow/ice on our first day! We will try to get our walk in this evening.

Beginning

I decided to start a separate blog tracking the progress of training and running a half marathon. My husband Jeff and I are doing this together. The event is May 3, 2009. Training is 20 weeks and begins tomorrow, December 15th, 2008. Hope you'll come visit often!