Halfway through the Half Training/30 for 30 for 30 update

For you Fitness Face-Off stalkers...I only did my 15 minutes of yoga 6 out of 7 days this week.  Still reaping the benefits, though, so I'm counting it as a win.

Woohoo!  I am currently in the 6th week of my 10 week training plan for the Bend Half Marathon.

#9 of the 30 for 30 for 30:
training/commuter run

As you may know, I ran my first half marathon in May of this year, and only signed up as a result of being sweet-talked by my hubby.  ("We'll run together - I'll go slow for you - it would be so fun!")  As it turned out, I (enjoyed - gasp!) finding and executing a training plan, doing the majority of the runs on my own, and actually halfed it up solo when the hubby wasn't feeling well on race day.

You know why a lot of smart folks lose weight with programs like Weight Watchers?

Accountability.

I know running is good for me, and if I'm honest, I usually enjoy doing it.  I'm great at sticking to a plan in order to prep for a race.  But no race = no training plan = me lifting weights and not running...like ever.

So after saying I would only do one half - EVER - for my sweet husband...I turned around and signed up for the Portland Rock 'n' Roll Half next May (hey, it was on sale!) and then got antsy for something a lot sooner when my inner thighs started to look the way they always have and not how they'd begun looking in April and May.

And I love Bend, as I think we can all agree.  October is my birthday...plus it's in the fall.  What better way to spend our next sweataway than running a race together in beautiful Oregon?

Train, Train, Train (the twain on twack twee)

What's fun is that this time through the old running plan, I'm way more confident and prepared. 

Pace: Since I beat my goal time by about 10 minutes in my first half, I've upped the ante a little in training...I'm shooting for under 2 hours this time around, and so far the speedwork has gone well.

Gear: I have some new Nike Frees that you've probably noticed...I'm basically in love with them (Jared loves shoes, too, so I think he's cool with it) and wear them like crazy.  I also have more high-impact sports bras in my workout drawer, so the girls are much happier.  (Seriously, if you invest in any fitness attire or gear, prioritize your footwear and your bras...go cheap on something else like a head band or a pair of dumbells.)

#7: commuter ride and
strength training at home

Strength-training: This spring, my weight training really petered out quick.  I had been doing 3-4 sessions of strength training a week all fall and winter and found it hard to make time or have energy for more than 1-2 sessions a week.  It made me kinda bummed out.  This time, I've been able to get 3 on average, and I can tell it's making a difference in my moods, my body fat goals, and my injury prevention (core work for runners really protects your back).  It will also be nice to not feel like I'm way behind with weights once the half is over!

I'm so bummed I can't find this killer workout online! 
I think from Self magazine?  Kicked my butt.

Cross-training: Last time, I took "cross-training/rest" as "rest or maybe go for a walk."  Now I have a brand-spankin' new bike (gotta love good deals), which I am painfully learning to use.  Yes, I learned how to ride a bike as a peewee...but in my neighborhood growing up, we had a shortage of massive hills.  My quads are really getting a workout.

#6: riding through Kirkland with the hubby!

Chilling out: Sometimes, life and stress and lack of sleep catch up with you...and you need to know when to take some time to rest and recover.  Partway through training I got sick and had to slow things down and miss a few runs. 

Me after a killer nap

Fresh basil makes a great pre-nap snack

#5 and #8: yoga chillout sessions. 

Per the hubby, my lulu hot yoga shorts are "yoga booty shorts and therefore not appropriate for public consumption."  So you'll have to take my word that I mixed up the outfit pairings.

Balancing life: To make time for all these sweat sessions, I've really had to work things into my average week.  Thankfully I live close to my job, so I check off a lot of workouts just in the to and fro type of thing. 

Cycling home

#10: very early run to work

#10 cont.

And there you have it...a little update on the first 1/2 of my 1/2 training, and the first 1/30 of my 30 for 30 for 30.  More photos and blather to come.

Have a fit-tastic Labor Day Weekend!!!