Random Thoughts

Happy Friday!! Here are some of my random thoughts on running from this past week:

1. I LOVE running in the warmer weather. Running shorts are fantastic...the built-in underwear is a real winner and super comfy. Plus, I sweat a lot...which makes me feel like I was able to get a good run in! The downfall of warm weather is the heat and humidity, which makes me have slower split times and super thirsty. 

2. You have to be flexible when training. With 3 kiddos and a husband who is actively involved with the Masons and travels for work, I have to figure out how to squeeze in my runs. Sometimes I get up and run at 6am (during summer...ugh!), sometimes I run in the evening, and sometimes I'm able to go out at lunch time (Tony works from home). I just have to make sure I get the miles in I'm supposed to. 

3. In past races I haven't done the whole drink on the run thing very well. I try to keep running and gag myself when I drink it. The past couple half marathons I did about a 5 second walk at the water stations and that seemed to work better. 

Ok...we are off to the lake! Since the lake house sits on a hill, maybe I'll get some hill work in?!

New shoes

We are back from Orange Beach, AL. We went with my parents and my brother and his family this past week. 

We had a great week and while there I squeezed in some training runs (to learn about my new adventure see my previous post). The heat and humidity were so high that I'm glad I only had to do three 3-mile runs. Of course my long run for the weekend was a 7-miler which I put off till early this morning (Monday) to beat the heat. 

Yesterday I went to Fleet Feet and FINALLY bought a new pair of running shoes. I typically get the Brooks Ghost shoes but changed it up this time after talking to the staff at Fleet Feet and got the Brooks Glycerin 13 shoes. This morning I ran with them and they felt wonderful!!! I'm very happy with my purchase. Of course I feel extremely guilty that they were so expensive...although I never buy anything for myself. 

Here they are:

Hoping to buy a running watch this week with some Amazon giftcards I've been saving! That's it for now!

Marathon Training

I recently signed up to run my very first marathon. Tony thinks I'm crazy, and I'm beginning to think that maybe I am! 26.2 miles...that's a heck of a long ways to run!!

Seriously though, I've been running pretty consistently for the past several years. April 2014 I was able to cross "run a half-marathon" off my bucket list. In the past year, I have completed 4 half-marathons and several other races (10 milers, 10k's, 5k's, etc.). I feel like at this point in my life I am in fairly good shape and it's not so crazy right now that I should be able to get the training in...I figured if I'm going to do it, now would be the time. 

I signed up for the Indianapolis Monumental Marathon on Nov.7th. Tony already booked our hotel room (and one for my mom too), so at least I'll have people there to cheer me on!

So, this week officially starts week 1 of marathon training. I'm following Hal Higdon's training schedule that looks like this:

Of course with Tony being out of town for most of the week, I haven't been able to follow it completely...but I will get it done!

I'm both excited and extremely nervous about doing this. I hope my body (and mind) can handle it!

Next on my to-do list is to get a new pair of running shoes and buy a gps running watch. Right now I use my iPhone when I run and use the run keeper app, I have loved this app but the longer I run, the more likely my phone battery won't make it. 

Ok, so now you know my plan! I'll update as my training goes on!