1/2 Marathon Training...

Begins this week!!! The schedule is:
Mon - 3 miles
Tues - 2 miles
Thurs - 3 miles
Saturday - 6 miles
Pray for me and my feet (and back, calves, shins, etc.)--I totally intend to do this thing!! I got new tennies that are awesome!!! I got clothes set aside -- got the TM ready with a book to read on it and the TV and DVD player hooked up so I'm set!!!
What have I gotten myself into???!!!!

Being a Slacker

I've been a slacker for the past two weeks. I was really down because I stepped on the scale and, even though I exercised 21 out of 31 days in January, I gained some pounds that I don't want to talk about. I decided to give up treats for the month of February. I've only slipped up a day or two.

I am excited about the Rabbits and Snails group and look forward to training. I thought it was interesting that the trainers mentioned how important weight lifting and core work are. I want to work on trying to incorporate this into an extra day.

So far this week:
Sunday: ran 6 miles
Monday: ran 3 miles
Tuesday: Weights, Pilates
Wednesday: Basketball game

Hopefully I can get a run in tonight and Saturday.

Last week:
Sunday: 2.5 miles
Monday: 3 miles
Tuesday: 3 miles
Wednesday: Basketball

In other news, I bought new basketball shoes. They have helped but I still have some shin splits. I am going to try to get new running shoes this weekend.

Walking

I walked on the TM last night 1 1/2 miles. I was only going to do 1, but then I thought heck, might as well go more. It only took 10 mins longer than the mile the night before. I really tried to walk faster. It hasn't been bad - I'm so relieved. It's little steps, but I know one day I'll look back at how it took such effort to do 1-2 miles and I'll be like whoa, that's nothing!!!

Week Two

Week two of the new eating plan's going well. I haven't been perfect, I've had some junk here and there. Funny thing is, I haven't been craving sweets (such a relief!) -- but I have been hungry! So if I feel hungry, I allow myself to eat something - not too fattening. But I just cannot abide feeling hungry! Makes me think of food too much!! Last night I got home after 8, but I got on that TM and walked 1 mile. Took longer than I'd like, but right now I'm concerned more with getting in the miles than my speed. Speed will come as I get in better shape! I'm just glad I did it and it wasn't that bad! I want to do another mile tonight and tomorrow, work up to two 1/2 over the weekend so I'll be good to go on Monday when official training starts and I have to do 3 miles! I'm kind of excited about this because it's a challenge. I need a challenge. Plus I have friends who believe in me, and that helps a lot!

TWO DAYS AND COUNTING

I made it through Monday and Tuesday on my eating plan. I was really having a rough time of it yesterday for some reason. I think it's PMS related. I haven't been craving chocolate or sweets, I just felt hungry. Maybe I didn't get enough water too? I don't know, but it really wasn't fun. But I just chewed gum and that helped BIG TIME.

You Heard It Hear First

I am starting a new eating plan. I am going to give it 2 weeks -- allegedly it keeps you from being hungry and lose weight relatively fast. I am, as always, skeptical. It's a plan where you eat six times a day and a lot of protein. I'm hoping this helps. I hope to get to the store this weekend to buy the food. It's not too expensive -- the magazine I read about it in said it's $38/week. Kind of based on MediFast (I think that's the one). But it's food I like and will have no issue with eating. I'm also hoping to get motivated for exercise once I meet with the Rabbits and Snails group on Feb. 9.

This week-Shin Splints

This week has been rough for me. My basketball shoes (that are 9 years old) are giving me shin splints. This happened in the fall as well. I can't really afford new ones, so I'm sticking shoe support in them to see if it will work. The pain has really affected my workout for the week. I am going to try to tape my leg and see if that helps.

Sunday: 2 1/2 miles, weights
Monday: 30 minutes on bike, 10 minutes steps
Tuesday: plan on weight lifting, pilates
Wednesday: basketball game
Rest of the week: up in the air