Half Marathon Training: Week 7

Why is it when I follow the training of other running bloggers that their training seems to whiz by and going through my own training it feels like it's plodding along? I wish race day would hurry up and get here. Not because I feel ready. I'm far from it. But how is it still five more weeks until my first half marathon???

Week 7 was full of a wide range of emotions. Yay for getting my mileage back up after being sick in March! Boo for having to split up a long run on Saturday in the heat. Yay for being able to run a 5k for a charity that is near and dear to me! Boo to the walker who thought my spitting (away from her) was "disgusting" and felt the need to say so just loud enough for me to hear.

Yay for a brand new running store opening in our area! We didn't have one before, so for any running gear, I would have to order online or go to a big box sports store. I stopped in at the grand opening of the new locally-owned store on Saturday and picked up a foam roller. For any runners out there, you'll know how important these can be. I've been using a tennis ball for selfmyofascial release, but felt like I needed what a larger foam roller could give. Holy trigger points, Batman! My pretty pink foam roller and I will be getting very well acquainted during the remainder of this training cycle!

Also yay for a new pair of running shoes - thanks, Mom! I have absolutely loved my Saucony Kinvaras, but they now have over 300 miles on them. So I "graduated" to a pair of Saucony Kinvara 2s and will be breaking them in this week.

My Kinvaras with 300 miles & my brand spanking new Kinvara 2s

Here's my training from last week:

Monday: 3 mile run, with speed intervals
Tuesday: cardio/strength training circuits
Wednesday: 3 mile tempo run
Thursday: cardio/strength training circuits
Friday: took an extra rest day to rest a pulled latissimus dorsi & prep for Saturday's race
Saturday: 1.55 mile run warm up, Autism Clinic 5k, 1.5 mile post race run/walk
Sunday: rest day

On Saturday, my goal was 8 miles in total. Originally, I was only going to run the 5k and call it a day. But because of being sick last month, I feel like I'm behind in my training and that I needed to get more miles in. Because of the race, I broke up my mileage, and had planned to run 3-3.5 additional miles after the race. I couldn't do it. By the time the race was done, the sun was out in full force and park where I was running doesn't have much shade. I felt completely zapped. I only finished 6.15 miles for the day.

And unfortunately, I allowed that to affect me emotionally. I started having serious doubts as to whether I could really finish a half marathon, whether I would be ready. I know that the mental aspect of such a challenge is just as important as the being prepared physically. And I know that the mental battle can make or break a race.

Thankfully, some tough love (from myself in the form of "Suck it up, cupcake!" talk) and a good run this morning has snapped me out of that funk. I still question whether I am crazy or not for undertaking this challenge. But when I cross the finish line on May 20th, upright and with a smile on my face, all those questions will be answered.