Hello, incredible community! I’m absolutely overwhelmed with gratitude for the outpouring of wisdom and unwavering support I received after my
last training update. Honestly, I felt a little vulnerable after sharing,
but your heartfelt “you’ve got this!” messages truly helped me overcome the mental and physical hurdles of that challenging first week. I know this
journey is far from over, and I’m mentally steeling myself for more tough weeks ahead, but your encouragement has been a cornerstone of my progress.
Many of you have been dedicated runners for years, and your advice, insights, and shared experiences are simply invaluable to me right now. It feels
like having my own personal team of dedicated coaches – though I’m secretly glad you’re not here in person to shout at me to pick up the pace! My
sincerest thanks to each and every one of you.
Week #2: A Quick Training Overview
As I embarked on Week 2 of my half-marathon training, I genuinely didn’t know what to expect. After the struggles and revelations of Week 1, I was
apprehensive. Would I be pleasantly surprised by my renewed stamina and a smoother rhythm, or would the workouts leave me utterly exhausted and
questioning my commitment?
As it turned out, Week 2 offered a rather interesting blend of both outcomes. There were moments of surprising ease and progress, intertwined with
sessions that tested my patience and endurance to their absolute limits. It was a testament to the unpredictable nature of athletic training, a
journey filled with both triumphs and unavoidable setbacks.
Detailed Breakdown of Week #2 Workouts
This week’s schedule aimed to build on the foundation laid in Week 1, pushing my limits just a little further while incorporating essential
cross-training. Here’s how each day unfolded:
- Monday: I started the week by running 2 miles on the treadmill. To my pleasant surprise, this session felt considerably
less daunting than anticipated. I immersed myself in the unfolding narrative of my current audiobook, a strategy that often helps the miles melt
away, making the physical effort more bearable. - Tuesday: My alarm went off early for cross-training with my friend, Deb. We tackled a T25 DVD, specifically the “Lower Focus”
segment. This intense workout left my legs feeling adequately challenged, a perfect complement to the previous day’s run. - Wednesday: Another 2-mile treadmill run was on the agenda, but this one proved significantly more challenging than Monday’s
session. My youngest daughter, Camryn, decided she needed my undivided attention for every single second of the run, transforming what should
have been a focused workout into a test of parental multitasking and unwavering patience. More on this adventure below. - Thursday: Back to early morning cross-training with Deb. This time, we engaged in a vigorous 35-minute full-body
strength and conditioning workout. The intensity was undeniable, leaving my arms and shoulders practically numb for the next two days – a clear
sign of a highly effective session. - Friday: A much-needed rest day. This precious break was crucial for muscle recovery and mental rejuvenation, allowing me to
recharge for the weekend’s longest run. - Saturday: My longest run of the week: 3 miles on the treadmill. I typically prefer the outdoors, but various factors converged to
keep me inside this week. I’ll delve into the specific reasons why all three of my runs ended up being treadmill-bound below.
What Worked Exceptionally Well
Despite the occasional hiccup, several key aspects of Week 2 contributed significantly to my progress and positive mindset:
Strict Adherence to My Training Schedule: For someone with a schedule-obsessed personality like mine, the simple act of
following my training plan to the letter brought an immense sense of comfort and accomplishment. Each completed workout felt like a successful
“check, check, check,” reinforcing my commitment and building confidence. This consistency provided a stable framework amidst the week’s inherent
chaos, making me feel more in control of my fitness journey.
Embracing the Treadmill (Reluctantly at First): This week presented an unexpected challenge: my husband, Brian, was away in Oregon
assisting his father after open-heart surgery (thankfully, his dad is recovering well!). Without my co-parenting partner, and facing a week of
consistent rain, the thought of pushing a double jogger loaded with two toddlers was far from appealing. It quickly became clear: it was the
treadmill or no run at all. While running outdoors is my absolute preference, I found myself surprisingly grateful for the indoor alternative. In a
strange twist, the treadmill became my unexpected ally. The key to making it bearable? Succumbing to the allure of Netflix. I became completely
engrossed in “The Hunger Games: Catching Fire.” Even though I was still gasping for air, drenched in sweat, and pushing through intense physical
exertion, Katniss and Peeta’s fight for survival made the time fly by. A minor, humorous side note: Katniss’s effortlessly calm demeanor, slender
physique, and seemingly limitless stamina did, at times, make me feel a tad queasy in comparison to my own labored efforts!
Accepting and Owning My Pace: A significant mental breakthrough this week involved letting go of my concern about speed. Last week,
I agonized over feeling too slow, but dozens of your comments provided crucial perspective on running times and progress. I realized that my current
pace is not only acceptable but entirely appropriate for my stage of training. Pushing myself too hard, too fast, too soon, would inevitably lead
to misery or, worse, injury. This week, I constantly reminded myself that simply the act of *running* was a monumental step in the right direction,
regardless of how fast I covered the distance. I believe I maintained a consistent pace, hovering around 5.3 to 5.5 mph on the treadmill, similar
to Week 1. This race, for me, isn’t about setting personal bests for speed; it’s fundamentally about finishing, accomplishing a long-held goal, and
proving to myself what I’m capable of. This shift in perspective has been incredibly liberating.
What Didn’t Work So Well
While there were many positives, Week 2 also brought its share of frustrations and challenges, particularly stemming from my primary workaround:
The Treadmill (and Its Logistical Nightmares): As much as I appreciated having the treadmill as a backup, it also became a source
of considerable stress. My ideal scenario involved at least one or two outdoor runs, but the weather and childcare situation conspired against me.
The primary difficulty arose from our treadmill’s location. When I tried to wake up extra early to run while the kids were still asleep, the noise
invariably woke everyone up. Not an ideal start to the day! Then, I attempted to run during the mid-morning, when my three older children were at
school and only my two littles (ages 6 and 2 1/2) were home. This led to a particularly harrowing incident involving Camryn, my 2 1/2-year-old. In
her desperate plea of “I need you, mom!”, she managed to get her fingers pinched in the treadmill. Thankfully, it wasn’t worse, but the scare was
significant. She then spent the remainder of my run attempting to cling to my legs, making any sustained effort impossible. All my creative efforts
to pull out every shelved toy imaginable to keep them occupied for a mere 30 minutes proved futile. I can only imagine the logistical complexities
faced by those “crazy awesome souls” who train for hours! I ultimately muddled through and completed my runs, but those particular sessions were,
without a doubt, among my least favorite in the history of my running endeavors.
Battling the Onset of Illness: I had firmly planned an outdoor run for Saturday morning, envisioning a refreshing break from the
treadmill. However, by Thursday night, a general feeling of malaise started to creep in, possibly due to the week’s accumulating stress or perhaps
a fresh batch of my children’s ubiquitous cough germs. I immediately went into defense mode: guzzling water, drenching myself in my favorite
essential oils, loading up on Vitamin C, and making a conscious effort to get to bed by 10 p.m. instead of my usual midnight. By Saturday morning,
I was relieved not to feel any *worse*, but I certainly wasn’t feeling significantly better either. A persistent, slight nausea convinced me that a
treadmill run was the safest option – a controlled environment where I could immediately hop off and collapse if necessary. In the end, I completed
the entire three miles without any issues and actually found that the exercise helped kick my system into gear. I felt remarkably better for the
rest of the day. This experience served as a good reminder of my tendency to always anticipate the worst-case scenario!
Exploring New Avenues This Week
This week wasn’t just about the physical grind; it also involved some exploration into new resources and strategies to enhance my training journey:
Delving into “Run Less, Run Faster”: Following several recommendations, I picked up the book
Run Less, Run Faster. Initially, I wasn’t sure if this book was quite right for me at this stage, as much of its focus
is on increasing pace, achieving new personal records (PRs), and qualifying for prestigious races like Boston. As one of you wisely pointed out last
week, since this is my first half-marathon, I’ll inherently set a PR just by finishing – a sweet victory in itself! However, I found myself drawn
to its core philosophy: the “3-Plus-2” approach, advocating three running sessions and two cross-training sessions per week. You certainly don’t
have to convince me of the merits of running less! I managed to jot down a few notes while reading, but my reading session was humorously derailed.
I was sitting next to my children who were watching the classic “Where the Red Fern Grows.” I had to abandon the book entirely when my two oldest boys
started openly weeping as Dan died, and the tears escalated when Ann died of a broken heart. Before I knew it, we were all crying, and the running
book was completely forgotten until the next day! Despite the emotional interlude, I gleaned valuable information on running form, effective
stretching techniques, critical nutrition guidelines, and strategies to prevent common injuries. While I don’t plan to alter my current training
schedule based on the book, I anticipate referring back to specific sections as I progress. The book also recommends certain cross-training
activities like swimming, biking, or rowing, which aren’t currently viable options for me. Therefore, my goal for the upcoming week is to research
and incorporate some lower-impact cross-training alternatives, potentially focusing more on strength training during those days.
Experimenting with MyFitnessPal for Nutrition Tracking: The book’s emphasis on nutrition prompted me to consider a more official
approach to tracking my caloric intake. My primary motivation isn’t to restrict, but rather to ensure I’m hitting a target goal (a goal
introduced by the book, and one I’m still evaluating for its relevance to my current stage – advice is welcome!) of approximately 65% of calories
from carbohydrates, 20% from fat, and 15% from protein. I’ll admit, I’m not a fan of counting calories – my love for food is well-documented!
Typically, I substitute complex carbohydrates for simpler ones in our dinners (e.g., using quinoa or cauliflower rice instead of white rice or
bread). Essentially, I just want a clearer picture of my current dietary habits. So, I downloaded the MyFitnessPal app on my phone. Inputting my
food makes me feel a bit “hivey” and anxious, almost as if a stern nutrition sergeant is looking over my shoulder. However, I begrudgingly admit
that it has been incredibly helpful in providing an accurate snapshot of what I’m eating and how it translates into the percentage spectrum. I
don’t plan to dramatically alter my diet, as I haven’t felt a significant lack of energy during my runs. However, that thought is somewhat
comical, considering I’m only running a modest 2-3 miles, which isn’t exactly considered taxing. My diet already incorporates a wealth of fruits,
vegetables, and whole grains, making it generally well-balanced. If anything, as my mileage increases midway through the program, I might consider
a slight boost in my carbohydrate intake to fuel those longer efforts.
I apologize if this update has become a little lengthy and detailed. This blog serves primarily as a personal journal for me, a place to document
my journey, remember my starting point, and chart my path forward. If you’ve made it this far, you truly deserve a reward – consider a handful of
dark chocolate chips on me. You’ve earned it!
Before concluding, I absolutely must give a huge shout-out to Brian and the boys for their own running endeavors! They’ve set their sights on a
10K race in June and have been consistently running 1-2 times a week. This past Saturday morning, they ventured out and ran nearly three miles.
Despite Jackson taking an unfortunate tumble on the sidewalk – an event they’ve humorously dubbed “the sidewalk splat” all weekend, resulting in
some road rash on his shoulder, hands, and legs – they bravely kept running and returned home in high spirits. It certainly didn’t hurt that Brian
kept them motivated with promises of German pancakes for breakfast after the run! I am incredibly proud of their dedication and resilience. Their
enthusiasm helps motivate me and holds me accountable, even on those mornings when all I want to do is hide under the covers and postpone running
for another decade.
Looking Ahead: The Upcoming Week’s Focus
As we transition into the next phase of training, the schedule brings only minor adjustments, but the intensity remains.
- Slight Mileage Increase: My running distances will incrementally increase this week: 3 miles on Monday, 2 miles on
Wednesday, and 3 miles on Saturday. These slight bumps are crucial for building endurance and preparing for longer distances ahead. - Navigating a Jam-Packed Schedule: This week promises to be exceptionally busy – a sentiment I’m sure many of you can
relate to! My calendar is literally packed from sunup to sundown each day. This means I’m going to need to summon an even deeper level of
dedication to my training schedule, meticulously fitting in runs and cross-training wherever and whenever I can. This might involve incredibly
early morning sessions (get ready for an impromptu party in the entryway after the kids wake up, oh yeah!) or squeezing in workouts late at
night. Despite the logistical challenges, I am absolutely determined to make it happen. My commitment to this goal remains unwavering.
On a separate but equally important note, if you haven’t yet had the chance to experience
Jill’s crazy, amazing, and truly inspirational story from last week, I implore you to do
so. I watched her video at least a dozen times, finding renewed motivation with each viewing. (And I nearly teared up seeing Jamie’s comment about
how much it helped her – the power of shared stories!). I’ll be sharing a few more compelling stories this week, so please keep an eye on the main
Running Page if you’re interested in reading more personal journeys.
Thank You All for Making This Journey Possible
Once again, a massive thank you to everyone for making this entire experience not only doable but, dare I say, almost fun (in a challenging,
growth-oriented way!). Your collective support transforms what could be a solitary endeavor into a shared community journey.
If you’re following a similar training schedule or simply enjoy running, I’d genuinely love to hear how your own progress is unfolding. Please
share your experiences, challenges, and victories in the comments below!