Week One Wrap Up

So I have my first week of training under my belt.  Like I mentioned previously, I am using Jeff Galloway's Half Marathon Training Program for Beginners.  It only calls for three days of training, which for me, is perfect.  On Tuesdays and Thursdays, I run for 30 minutes and Saturdays are for long runs. 

Let's look at how week one went:

Tuesday: I was excited to get started.  After warming up, the program calls for a run-walk strategy (run 10 seconds/walk 50 for 5 or more intervals, then increasing to 15 second run/walk 45 seconds for 5 repetitions. Then taking a 2-3 minute walk break. After that, 20/40 for 5 minutes and walking 2 minutes).  I knew I could run AT LEAST two minutes without stopping (!!!) so I ran for 2 minutes and walked for 30 seconds for 5 intervals and then increased my run to three minutes and walked for 30 seconds for 5 intervals.  Before I knew it, the 30 minutes were up!  Not only did the 30 second walks give me a chance to catch my breath, but each time I started running again, my breathing was steadier.

Thursday: I was so tired.  I didn't sleep well at all the night before.  When my alarm went off, I was  annoyed.  Why did I sign up for this stupid half marathon?  Any way, the training, after the warm-up, said to time myself for two miles, using the run-walk-run strategy.  I used the same strategy as Tuesday and ran/walked a 12:24 minute mile.  Okay... not too bad!

Saturday just called for a two mile run.  I didn't use the run-walk-run strategy, I just tried to run.  Let me just say, it was so humid outside.  It was the worst.  I was not excited at all for this run.  It took me a while to get my breathing under control.  The entire run, all I wanted was for it to be over.  I completed the two miles with a 12:11 minute mile.

A few observations about my first week of training:  I had to contact my trainer for a nutrition plan because I do not know how to fuel myself for running.  I am looking forward to this week (week 2) because I feel better prepared.  I feel like my nutrition plan will help tremendously... not only for the runs but for my overall energy level.  The first day of training, I was exhausted all day! 

I definitely need to incorporate some stretching/yoga because I was stiff the next morning.  My hips hurt so bad.

I need new running shoes (with cushion).

I need to clip my toe nails! (Pretty self explanatory). 

One week down... 20 to go!