Let The Training Begin.....

Today officially starts my twelve week training program for the Food and Wine half marathon in October.

Actually, my twelve weeks started yesterday... but I chose to make it a rest day because that's the kind of gal I am.  Kinda lazy.

At least when it comes to a stringent training plan.  And house cleaning.

I also think that there could not be a more perfect half marathon for me to run.  I mean... food and wine... need I say more.

And because I feel the need to go overboard with every thing that I do... I also decided to start a weightlifting program.

Two training programs.  Simultaneously.

I just cried a little when I typed that.

I got my half marathon training plan from the world wide web.

And I got my weightlifting training plan from this book....

The perfect "by the pool- summer read".  Not.

Reading it almost makes me feel like I'm working.  I guess it is a part time job keeping this body of mine in shape.

Ugh.

I mean... yay!  Working out is great!

Actually, I really love it.  It is just SO hard to start back up on a consistent program when you have been slacking for the past two months. 

And enjoying way too many fun summer activities ( meaning too much food).  And spending all your time writing on your blog that you have been working so much.  (Geez.  I re-read some posts last night and it is just about all I talk about.  Dramatic much?)

Anyway, I guess that paying so much ahead of time for the race helped me out in the long run.  Mainly because I don't want to waste the money.. but also because I want to run a great race, have a great experience, push myself, and I don't want to keep my family waiting too long at the finish line.

The race does start at 10pm, after all.  They might need to bring their sleeping bags.

So, the running plan and the weightlifting plan conflict a little bit.  Mostly with the rest days.  I should probably be resting more than I am planning too... but just know that I will listen to my  body ( it speaks Spanish) and will cut back where/when I need to.

My workout plan will look something like this....

Sunday - weights/abs

Monday- run 3 miles

Tuesday - weights/abs

Wednesday- boxing/ run 3 miles

Thursday - yoga/ weights

Friday- REST

Saturday- spin/ run 5 miles

I would love to practice more yoga... but I just can't seem to find the time to fit it in.  I will still be working full time after all.  Also, my running will increase weekly...building up to 20 miles a week.

And my workout schedule does change weekly depending on when I work.

But you get the gist.

It's fascinating, I'm sure.

On the plan for today was my first run.  Just three miles.  No big deal.  Except for I have been SO inconsistent lately... so, I was dreading it more than you know.

Especially since I realized that I forgot my IPOD - even after I chanted myself to sleep last night saying "don't forget your IPOD".  And also because my fabulous running gear has become a little to invasive for my liking... and for other people's safety.

I blame it on the cupcakes, and fried fish, and peach ice cream, and every thing else that I have stuffed my face with the past month.

After work, I took my sweet time eating my snack and getting dressed.  Like "you would have thought I was on a beach vacation" sweet time.  And then I sat in the gym parking lot for about five minutes just staring at the front door wishing that it would disappear.

It didn't.

I dragged myself in.  Went up to the theater room. And then realized that the gym was so incredibly packed that there was NO treadmill available.  NO TREADMILL IN THE ENTIRE PLACE.  And the place is HUGE.  I almost decided to call today another rest day and head home... but I put my big girl panties on and headed to the track.

The track that most people on the cardio machines can see.  Which means they can all watch me run in big circles.

Most of the time I am very shy.

Not to mention that the humidity had increased the volume of my hair by a million percent.  And within seconds of me starting to run, my boy short underwear decided it needed a job change and took the position of a thong.

Something that I'm sure that every one realized.

At least by the grimace on my face.

Bottom line is that I started slow.  I ran slow.  I finished slow.  I walked a little.  I ran as much as I could.  I pretended that I was the only one in the gym.  And I decided that I didn't care what I looked like in the middle of a massive meat market... especially since my package expired in 1995.

 I dreamt of the day that I can run side by side with Rebecca A. at the Riverwalk.  ( Right now it would be a recreation of the tortoise and the hare... and I would be the one with the hard shell)

( And would NOT be the one to finish first)

( So, then I guess I would actually be the one with the bunny tail)

(Nevermind)

And, of course, I pictured myself running across the finish line.  And getting a medal put around my neck.

It will be fabulous!! At least I think that I will feel that way once I am knee deep in training.  The first weeks are always the hardest.

My other accomplishment tonight was discovering that I definitely need to get some new running shoes.  Shoes that are strictly for running.  Like these...

These were my shoes from back in the day.  They helped me run my very first half marathon in 2007.  They also helped me get through the "Great renovation of 2007-2009".  You can't tell by the picture, but they are covered in paint and dirt and dust.  And have actually turned grey.

But in a bizarre moment recently, I put them on and ran around and realized that the shoes I've been wearing are more for cross training and lifting weights.  Meaning... they are pretty heavy and cumbersome.  So, long story short... I ran in these tonight to prove to myself that I must get some actual running shoes.  And I need to get them now, so I can break them in.

I will have to get Kev on that immediately.

If you are still reading this ridiculously long post.  Thank you.  And I'm sorry.

And don't worry... I will keep you updated on my progress....  Of my workouts AND the status of my boy shorts.