Introducing: Skapris!

Nike is the only place I've seen these for sale... it's capris with a skirt over top. Nice and feminine! I like the idea of just the skort, but let's face it - my thighs would rub together, causing so much friction the fire marshall would need to be called. Capris are perfect for me. So, this was my splurge. After a full work day today, I wasn't really in the mood to run, but seeing these in the mail changed my mind!


My review? Super cute and comfy. It bunches up a little at the pocket in the back at the elastic line. I think they'll fit a little better when I lose 5 more pounds. I think I'll wear these for my first race!


5k today on the treadmill:


Distance: 3.11
Time: 32:41
Pace: 10:29

Short Run

I did a short run today, due to the fact that I ate a bunch of McDonald's french fries before heading out. Bad idea! My 5 mile run turned into a 2.82 mile run. Well, as my hubby says, at least I went out!

Distance: 2.82 miles
Time: 31:41
Pace: 11:13

My husband, the coach

Turns out my husband, who has never been a runner, and has absolutely no interest in ever running, knows how to train me.

We both got home at about the same time today, and I told him I wasn't sure if I should do a long run today and take tomorrow off, or run tomorrow and take today off. He told me to run both days. Well, silly man, that doesn't work with long runs. I like a day off before and after a long run. His response? Don't do a long run this week. Hmm... great idea! So, I'm attempting to run more than twice this week with no long run. He's so smart.

Five wonderful miles in the sun! I need to stop using the treadmill now and just run outside. The problem with that, however, is not having enough clothes to run in. See, on the treadmill, it doesn't matter what you wear, or if you wear anything at all. But outside, I think that's illegal. Thankfully the Nike website has clearance items! I chose to treat myself to a couple of new items. I can't wait to get my new gear!

Distance: 5.02
Time: 53:16
Pace: 10:36

Fartlek

I ran fartleks today. I have been trying to run on the treadmill at 5.5 mph. Last year I was at 5.0, so I consider that a great improvement! Today, I ran 5 minutes at 5.5, then 3-5 minutes at 6.0mph. I did that for just over 5k. I'll try to work my way up to 6.5mph. Great workout!

I only ran 5 times in February. I've already run 4 times in March, so things are looking up! I'm going to be working on consistency until the end of June and the real training begins. I think I'm going to go up to 10 miles by that point. We'll see what happens!

Five weeks until the 5k race!

Distance: 3.28miles
Time: 33:26
Pace: 10:11

Ten Percent and the Long Run

It's been a full month since I had a long run. With not doing the 25k in May, I contemplated doing only 5 miles. Or maybe I'd do a 10k... after all, that's more than I've run in weeks, and I don't really need to work on my mileage until June. I thought about this during the first 5 miles of my run, and then thought about the marathon in October. If I take the easy way out, and don't push myself, how can I hope to complete a marathon? Good question... so I ran 8 miles. With a few walk breaks in there.

Yesterday marked a new low for me. I have now lost 10% of my body weight! It took me since last October, but I'm there! I'm feeling more like myself these days. My goal is only 5 lbs away, but I might change it to 10. I'll wait until I get there to decide.

Distance: 8.01
Time: 1:28:33
Pace: 11:03
Weight: 144.8

It's Official!

I registered for the Detroit Free Press Marathon! I have seven months to train. I can do this!

I also bought the book Marathon: The Ultimate Training Guide by Hal Higdon. It is highly recommeded, and since this is my first marathon, I thought it would be good to learn from an expert!

I am excited and nervous. Part of me wonders if I can really do something as big as a marathon. But then I see how, for the past couple of seasons, the finalists of the Biggest Loser run a marathon after only 3 months of training. Of course, I won't be working out 5-6 hours a day like them, but I have been running for two and a half years, so that has to count for something, right? The motto for the Detroit Marathon is: YOU CAN DO THIS! I'm going to keep telling myself that for the next seven months. :)

Good run today. Four miles on the treadmill:

Distance: 4.04 miles
Time: 43:28
Pace: 10:45

Good News and Bad News

The good news - I had a personal record today on my 5k run! Woo hoo! Thanks, Lance Armstrong, for telling me so! It's not often I hear someone talk to me after a run, but when I do, it's pretty cool!

The bad news - I can't get the day off to run the 25k in May. What a bummer! I'm glad to start a new job, but the bad news is I'm on the bottom rung, so if anyone else wants a day off, they get preference over me. It's a little frustrating since I've been training since January for this, and I'm a little unsure of where to go from here. Do I increase my mileage now, plateau this summer, and increase again in the fall? Or increase mileage slower than planned (like 1 mile per two or three weeks) and just go forward until the marathon in October? Fun things to think of no matter what.

Today I registered for three races - all races that I did last year. I'm hoping to get a better time on each race. My first race of the year is in six weeks. A 5k! I'd LOVE to get under 30 minutes, but I'll settle for better than 33:36 (last years' time). I'm not sure I have enough time to get under that 30, or at that 30 minute mark, but if I can shave a few seconds off my time today, I'll be happy.

Yesterday I weighed in at the lightest I've been for three years! During my run this morning, I was thinking about how much better I feel at this weight than my highest of 160lbs. I felt so much lighter, running felt so much easier. I'm looking forward to losing 5-10 more pounds.

Distance: 3.12miles
Time: 31:47
Pace: 10:10
Weight: 146