Half Marathon Training- Week 1 Recap

"Running is a big question mark that's there each and every day. It asks you, 'Are you going to be a wimp or are you going to be strong today?'"

- Peter Maher

Hi everyone!  Now that my half marathon training is in full swing, I thought it would be useful to review each week of my training so I can hold myself accountable.  I'm sort of stealing this idea from one of my favorite bloggers, Jennifer at Running on Lentils (who, by the way, is kicking butt in training for the Pittsburgh Marathon!)

(note, I'm not affiliated in ANY way with the Biggest Loser or with the Run/Walk.  I just wanted to make it clear what I'm training for in a fun way!)

Here was my training plan for the week:

To remind you, I'm using Hal Higdon's half marathon intermediate plan as a base, but adjusting it to fit my schedule.  I'm also helping Dan train for a 5K using the Couch to 5K plan.

Here's how my week went:

Monday

3.27 miles / 28:00 / 8:36 pace
It was a beautiful, sunny, cool day.  I ran on the trails at Frick, which was perfect! 

Tuesday

6AM Group Power class
We had dress rehearsal for musical, so I couldn't make it to my normal Centergy class.  I decided to go to power before work, and it was a great class.  I might have to start going then instead of after work! 

Wednesday

4.5 miles / 41:00 / 9:00 pace
First speed workout.  1 mile warmup, 5x400 at a 5K pace.  My goal was to run 1:45 per lap, and my splits were 1:43, 1:41, 1:40, 1:38, 1:36.  1 mile cooldown.
 

Thursday

2.08 miles / 22:00 / 10:43 pace
Finally able to run with Dan.  The workout was to run 5 minutes, walk 3, run 8 minutes, walk 3, run 5 minutes.  
 

Friday

6AM Spin class
There was a sub in class today, and I just couldn't get into the workout.  The hour seemed to drag on, but I tried to push during the intervals she had us running or climbing.

Saturday

Group Centergy
I woke up so tired today, so I was planning on just skipping it and doing some yoga at home, but decided to go.  I'm so glad that I did, because we did half of the new program in class!  It's so fun but really focuses on the legs, so I got pretty worn out!

3 miles / 30:30 / 10:10 pace
Ran with Dan and a little by myself.  The run was to do 22:00 nonstop, and he did great.  At the end he wanted to keep running, so we actually ran two extra minutes, then I ran a little extra.  Didn't end up doing the extra two miles that I was supposed to do today, because Dan and I are running Sunday to get in the third C25K run.

Sunday

5 miles / 46:50 / 9:20 pace
I ran a new route through Oakland and it was challenging!  It was really cold and windy out, and I couldn't get into my grove or get warmed up until around the two mile point.  
  

Overall, I'm really happy with my first week.  In the past, I would let life get in the way of training, but I told myself that wouldn't happen this time!  I put that in action by getting all my workouts in one way or another.  I felt great in pretty much every workout, so I'm very motivated and encouraged!