Sunday, March 8, 2015

New Feature: The Well-Read Runner!

Happy Sunday, reader friends!

I'm trying something a bit different around here for a few weeks.  My 12 week training program for the half marathon I'm running on May 31 starts tomorrow.  Half marathon training takes up a sizeable amount of my time (as I learned when I trained for my first one last year,,,recap post HERE).  There's a lot of blood, sweat, and tears that go into such an endeavor.  It affects my schedule greatly--including my reading time.

As such, I thought it would be fun to do one post a week that tracks my training progress.  Reading (and blogging about it) is an important part of my life, but this will be as well--so why not chronicle it along the way?

Each Well-Read Runner post will be on Sunday, though not necessarily in the morning (as that is when I'll be doing my longest run of each week, and I'd like to include it in the post).  I'll keep you updated on my training--the highs AND lows.  Feel free to chime in with your own exercise/training stories, and any words of wisdom!  I've learned that running long distances is often more mental than physical, and I could use any encouragement you've got.

With that said, tomorrow the journey begins.  I will be using Hal Higdon's Intermediate Half Marathon training program (for those interested, you can check it out HERE), which includes 5 days of running, 1 strength training day, and 1 rest day each week.  I raced a time of 2:21:12 at my half marathon last year.  This time, I'd really love to hit 2:10 or under.  That is close to what my original goal was for my first half, but for many reasons, that did not happen.  So I'm going back to the drawing board to try for that time again at this race.

I am very nervous about this goal though, knowing how I fell apart during my last half marathon (and also, you can't ignore that it's an 11-minute time drop...ambitious, to say the least).  This time around, I'm going to pay attention to more than just hitting my distance goals, since I've learned (the hard way) that nutrition, race-day preparation, and mental focus are just as important to practice.  And hey, if I come in at 2:21:11, I CAN'T be mad at myself, because it's still better than last time!  I guess that's the real goal for me here.

If you have ZERO interest in running, please feel free to avoid my blog on Sundays.  :)  Although I'm sure I can promise many laughs at my own expense along the way to keep you entertained!  Otherwise, I'll see you here for a bit of running chat each Sunday...and all my usual bookish goodness during the rest of the week.

Are any of you runners, my bookish buddies?  Potential runners?  Lapsed runners?  Not-a-runner-but-like-to-laugh-at-runners?  (We can admittedly be annoying, with the 13.1/26.2 bumper stickers and all.)  Do tell!

16 comments:

  1. Good luck with your 1/2. I'm trying to get into running. So while I'm doing my meager 2 mile runs I'll think about you.

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    1. Not meager--every mile counts! When I started running in 2006, I couldn't do 1 mile without stopping to walk. 2007 I did my first 5K and then got better from there. Keep it up and you will be impressed with what you can achieve! :)

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  2. I'm certainly not a runner, but can take my Aussie on a mad journey through the neighborhood! This post made me wonder if you knew about the blog Running and Reading, another reader/runner. www.runningnreading.com

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    1. I did not!! I will check it out right now!

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    2. Shannon, thanks so much for sharing the blog with Kelly; I'm so glad we've found each other!

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  3. I think this is great! Congrats! I ran my first half marathon this past fall and also used Higdon's Intermediate training plan - except I substituted a second cross training day for one of the easier run days...which had me running 4x week. I also blogged about my training and linked up with Weekend Update hosted by Tara at Running N Reading (same blog Shannon mentions above) on Mondays. Weekend Update is still going on if you're interested in linking up your Sunday post. I'm going to start training soon for some shorter races and a sprint triathlon and will probably start linking back up again once I do that...

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    1. That is great! I am so happy that both of you directed me to Tara's blog. Can't believe I didn't find it earlier. I will definitely start linking up there.

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    2. Sarah, thanks so much for recommending the blog; I'm so excited to have found Kelly!

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  4. Kelly, I'm so excited to follow along in your running (and reading!) journey. Hal Higdon's plans are great, in my opinion; I've used them and I have several running friends who are currently using them, as well, for both half marathon and marathon distances. Which half will you be running in May? Please feel free to link up to the Weekend Update and share your training recap; you'll find lots of other runners (and many of them love to read, too!) who are happy to support you along your journey! You're going to do great!

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    1. I am running the Mystic Half in Mystic, CT--the first inaugural. I live in western NY now, but grew up near Mystic and just HAVE to go back to my hometown for the first half to be held there! It's going to be beautiful scenery, that's for sure. :) http://www.hartfordmarathon.com/Events/Mystic_Half_Marathon___10K.htm
      I will be sure to link up my weekly training recaps! Thanks for the support!

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  5. Thanks for finding my blog! Good luck with your half marathon training!

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  6. Good luck on your training journey. I will definitely be following your Sunday posts. I've used Hal Higdon's intermediate program as well. The half is my favorite distance. I just can' get enough. LOL.

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    1. Haha, I can see how that happens. After my first half I swore I would never do another, but it wasn't long before I was dying to try again. It's a tough goal but a manageable one, if you do the work.

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  7. Good luck! I used to be really into running until I had my daughter. Now I still run but not like I used to. Hoping to really get back into it soon. I'm excited to read your posts!

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    1. I hope you get a chance to re-enter the running world! Sometimes a good run is all I need to keep my sanity after a crazy day. :)

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