Great question! After finishing my two half marathons and running a not so great paced 5k, I'm looking at beginning to train for my first full marathon.
I've been running with a group twice a week, very early in the morning, but I'll be thankful for that once temperatures continue to rise. Saturday runs have started following my friends training schedule for her half. It's easier to share long run strategies with someone and much more fun.
Oh, new realization. I can run without music! I truly didn't think I would be ok with that. I knew I could do it, I was just certain I would hate it! The group runs have worked out really well for me to just leave the headphones at home or in the car.
I learned a valuable lesson Saturday... Make sure you have the key to get back in your car when others are relying on you and your hubby is getting ready to head out on the bike for 35 miles. Thankfully he was able to play the role of knight in shinning armor, he did a smashing job! We then had to go on a recovery mission to locate the little key thingy that detached from my key FOB. It was safely recovered.
After a week of slacking, running plans are back in full swing! Cycling tomorrow, 4 miles Tues and Thursday, speed work Wednesday and cycling. 4 miles Saturday.
Sunday, March 25, 2012
Monday, March 5, 2012
Half Mania...now what?
I'm not the best at blogging regularly, I guess it's that feeling that I just don't have that much to say (worth writing down that is.)
I'm a verbal processor, but I do enjoy actually putting things down into words, I think I find it freeing.
The Disney Princess Half Marathon was a week ago. I cannot express just how much fun it was to run in the middle of Cinderella's Castle and around Walt Disney World. I absolutely enjoyed it, but there is something I enjoyed even more than just the sheer running....
These lovely ladies made the entire experience so marvelous! (I'm missing a few ladies in this picture that were absolutely marvelous cheering squad!) Diverse group of ladies, varying abilities (Betty=FAST!), yet so much fun and just made the entire adventure sheer joy!
I must say I enjoyed being called Princess Stephanie
Race morning we met up and headed to Epcot at 3:30 in the morning (crazy I do believe). Disney had everything so well organized. I don't think I've ever seen so many Port-A-Potties in one 13.1 mile range before in my life! They had volunteers to tell you to look out for speed bumps, they had volunteers to hand you your medal, they had volunteers handing out everything! They even had volunteers lining Main Street to take your picture with your camera in front of the Castle! I don't have that pic with me or it would so be here!
I was fortunate to have Jenny to run with for 10 miles. She absolutely exceeded her expectations and made the 10 miles fun for me, as I'm a bit of a talker (I know, you are shocked!)
Here I am after I think Mile 5, my hubby and girlie actually found me, made my day!
After mile 10 I put my headphones in. My shuffle had been going the entire time, but I was talking. So, once I put the headphones in and got moving, I was elated to cross the last causeway leading into Epcot with one of my favorite, most uplifting songs playing in my ears (Son of Man by Tye Tribbett). I was doing intervals and I stopped to walk as I was getting ready for the last couple of miles and this sweet lady came along side me and encouraged me to keep going, she thought I was frustrated. I thanked her and explained I was doing intervals and I wanted to finish strong. She cheered me on and kept on going. I love doing things with encouraging folks.
As we left Epcot park and headed for the finish, there was a choir and my shuffle was playing Victory in Jesus (Travis Cottrell version) which just made me want to run harder!
We were all able to find each other and get reunited before the rain set in and we all headed in different directions. We had a great cheering squad of friends and family that set up just after we received our medals, this allowed us to find everyone as we got the texts that they were finishing.
Overall, sooooo fun! I'm now trying to decide what is next. I have a 5k in a couple of weeks and then I'm just not sure. I'm trying not to go overboard! (Let's see how well that works for me.)
Miraculously, we all found each other after the race, we heard a proposal happen.
I'm a verbal processor, but I do enjoy actually putting things down into words, I think I find it freeing.
The Disney Princess Half Marathon was a week ago. I cannot express just how much fun it was to run in the middle of Cinderella's Castle and around Walt Disney World. I absolutely enjoyed it, but there is something I enjoyed even more than just the sheer running....
I must say I enjoyed being called Princess Stephanie
Race morning we met up and headed to Epcot at 3:30 in the morning (crazy I do believe). Disney had everything so well organized. I don't think I've ever seen so many Port-A-Potties in one 13.1 mile range before in my life! They had volunteers to tell you to look out for speed bumps, they had volunteers to hand you your medal, they had volunteers handing out everything! They even had volunteers lining Main Street to take your picture with your camera in front of the Castle! I don't have that pic with me or it would so be here!
I was fortunate to have Jenny to run with for 10 miles. She absolutely exceeded her expectations and made the 10 miles fun for me, as I'm a bit of a talker (I know, you are shocked!)
After mile 10 I put my headphones in. My shuffle had been going the entire time, but I was talking. So, once I put the headphones in and got moving, I was elated to cross the last causeway leading into Epcot with one of my favorite, most uplifting songs playing in my ears (Son of Man by Tye Tribbett). I was doing intervals and I stopped to walk as I was getting ready for the last couple of miles and this sweet lady came along side me and encouraged me to keep going, she thought I was frustrated. I thanked her and explained I was doing intervals and I wanted to finish strong. She cheered me on and kept on going. I love doing things with encouraging folks.
As we left Epcot park and headed for the finish, there was a choir and my shuffle was playing Victory in Jesus (Travis Cottrell version) which just made me want to run harder!
We were all able to find each other and get reunited before the rain set in and we all headed in different directions. We had a great cheering squad of friends and family that set up just after we received our medals, this allowed us to find everyone as we got the texts that they were finishing.
Overall, sooooo fun! I'm now trying to decide what is next. I have a 5k in a couple of weeks and then I'm just not sure. I'm trying not to go overboard! (Let's see how well that works for me.)
Miraculously, we all found each other after the race, we heard a proposal happen.
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