I hope you had a great weekend, the weather was awesome for us! Since it’s Monday, I’m linking up with Run to the Finish, Darwinian Fail, and Sweet Life With Ericka for Best Foot!
Rock and Roll Philadelphia Half Marathon
Well, it’s official: I am signed up for my first half marathon in nearly 2 years! The Rock & Roll Philly Half will be my fourth half marathon and takes place on Sunday, September 21, 2014!
This race is very sentimental for me. This was the first half I’d ever run, back in 2011 as I was beginning my running journey. I finished in 2:10:53 but I had so much more in me. It was the best race I ever had and was a truly emotional experience.
Race Goals
Being me, I have to create goals to make it through the race! For past races, I simply used training plans I found online or in Runner’s World magazine. But this time, I really want to try a coach, so I’ll be contacting Kristy from Run the Long Road Coaching to see if she can craft the perfect plan for me! Here’s what I’m hoping for:
- Finish under 2:20 (I have to be realistic, my last half marathon was 2:38)
- Follow my coach’s plan to a tee, as much as humanly possible
- Keep up with cross training (yoga and strength)
- Bottom line: No injuries!
Full of joy after the race!I’m really excited because this will be the first time I’ll be blogging about training for a race! I’m looking forward to sharing this journey with all of you!
Workouts for the Week:
Monday 5/12: Ended up taking it as a rest day. Barre class really kicked my butt!
Tuesday 5/13: Some balance and hip strengthening, Boot Camp with a focus on abs, then 3.20 miles on the treadmill with average 12:47 pace. I played a lot with my speed, going at most at 7.0 mph on 2% incline. Then we had Kickball…and lost, but played an extra game for fun and won that game!
Wednesday 5/14: Another rest day, what?!
Thursday 5/15: Focus Power Yoga. For some reason I didn’t take my mat towel, and I was slipping and sliding the entire time. Guess I need to invest in a better mat! At least I had a good workout.
Friday 5/16: Core and More Class, long overdue! But my hamstrings were killing me. Great workout.
Saturday 5/17: 5 mile run at 9:38 pace with the Running Club. It felt great! I also biked about 8 miles. My only complaint is a blister started to form on the side of my right big toe. Annoying!
Sunday 5/18: Focus Power Yoga in the AM. Learned some new moves and while I had some balance issues, it went pretty well! Thankfully my hamstrings do feel better after that class! Then in the afternoon Bret and I walked alll over the city. It was a beautiful day!
Do you have any Fall races lined up? Any advice you can share about half marathon training?
Awesome — I’m looking forward to reading about your training 🙂 Those goals seem very reasonable – it will be interested to see what your coach says!
Thanks Courtney, I can’t wait!
You can do it!!! And you have learned so much over the past little while I have no doubt that you will be injury-free!
Thanks for the support Krysten!
Oh yay! I can’t wait to follow your training!!
Oh this is awesome! Congrats on signing up! You are going to do great and I think it sounds like you have an awesome plan in place. 🙂 I’ve heard such great things about this race too!
It sounds like you had a solid week of workouts as well. I HATE when I forget my towel! Slipping and sliding through yoga class is never fun.
Thanks Salt! Yes, that sliding was a nightmare! Never again haha! I’m too cheap to buy a $60 yoga mat!
I have a few fall races lined up. My first half marathon is in a week and a half, and my best advice is to just keep yourself interested and motivated by doing cross training and rewarding yourself for sticking to your training plan. 🙂 Can’t wait to see how your training goes!
Thanks so much, that’s great advice! Rewards work for me!
Fall racing is the best, so excited for you! I think having a coach and a detailed plan makes a world of difference. Staying injury free is never a guarantee, but as long as you train and fuel properly, you should be set to go! I look forward to following your training:)
Thanks Kristen! I hope it all goes to plan!
Oh I am so excited you signed up and have a blast! It looks like we will be racing the same weekend! I look forward to following your journey and so happy I found you through the #bestfoot link up.
Yay! How exciting! I have heard so many good things about that race, I wish I could do it too! You seem to have your head screwed on correctly, and your goals are realistic! If I can help let me know 🙂
Thanks so much Tina! I’d appreciate any tips you could share..I’ll let you know! 🙂
Wooo! So exciting! I love running in Philly!
Aw thanks so much Erica! We’ll be go through it together! Which race are you doing?