Thursday, April 1, 2010

Against ALL of Your Advice...

...so against all of your advice that told me to stick to 5Ks, I signed up a half-marathon. The Hospital Hill half at that!!! The race is going to be June 5 in Kansas City. Not only will I being running in the half marathon, which is 13.1 miles for those that don't know, but I will also get to see Candace's baby!!! As of right now, a couple other of my sorority sisters are running this event with me.

The course has a three and a half hour time limit, which equals 16 minute miles. I've been training for three weeks (well three weeks specifically for this event and working out before that). My longest run so far has been 6 miles which I completed in 70 minutes and 37 seconds, so I'm right on pace for 12 minute miles. If I run 13.1 miles at 12 minutes then I should be done in 2 hours and 37 minutes but throw in the hills and the continuous running and I think I'll be right at 3.5 hours. My main goal is to finish, my push it goal is to finish in under three hours. Sixtyfive days from today is the big race...

You might be asking, Alyssa-what the h were you thinking??? Well, if you can't tell by some of my posts, there's a lot of stuff going on in my life right now which is really, really hard to comprehend and deal with. I just wanted something to take my mind off that and to have a goal that I can actually reach on my own. Like it's my own will pushing me through, I don't have to depend on anyone else, if I fail it's my fault...that sort of thing. Plus I get kind of excited to think that when it's all said and done, I'll be able to say, "I completed a half marathon!!!" Not too many people can say that, well actually where I work at a lot of people can but you get the idea.

Here is the training plan that I'm *kinda* following. I'm doing all the same distance but trying to do more running than walking. This is also only an 8 week program but I started 12 weeks out, so I'm repeating the first four weeks twice. I'm excited because starting today, my friend Sarah and I are picking up our "walking dates" which I'll be using for my cross training day. I'm also logging all my workouts at http://www.dailymile.com/ It's been very helpful and the people on there are great. It's kind of like Facebook for working out.

So there you have it...I've lost my mind and signed up for a half marathon. I'll post on my training throughout.

10 comments :

d.a.r. said...

Congrats on signing up!! You have plenty of time to get ready still!

And, I will be there too...the one wearing pink, crawling up the hills on my hands and knees, ha!

Amber said...

I think it's great that you signed up for the half! I just finished my first in December and it was a thrill that can't compare to a 5K. It's a huge motivator! You can do it! Just stick to your training routine and you'll be great! :)

Mrs. Dirnberger said...

Go Girl!!! YOu can do it.. I will be cheering for you :)

Krystie said...

I have faith in you! :)

Stephany said...

Yay! I know I was one who told you to strive for the half so I'm excited for you!

My mom did her first half in December and she was SO NERVOUS about getting in under the time. About halfway in, they opened the roads back up so if you weren't past that point by then, you'd have to run on the sidewalk. But she did it and finished around 2:45. I was so proud of her!

I can totally understand wanting to have something to strive for when things are crazy. As nutso as my life has been lately, if my eating habits and exercise can be consistent than I'm happy!

Good for you! You're an inspiration!

Angie said...

Wow, that's awesome! you're gonna be so buff!

Amanda @ It's Blogworthy said...

Well that's awesome that you are doing it. I'm proud of you! It takes guts to just step up and do it, but sometimes that's what it takes to really bring some positive energy into your life. It gives you something to strive for!

What sorority were you a part of??

Vee said...

Whoa, you're my hero - congrats for signing up! It's a big step towards a great goal! Can't wait to hear all about it! =]

Cecilia said...

You go girl, and kick some arse. I would never have the willpower to do that. Good luck!!!

Kim B. said...

Lyss - we should totally RUN together!!! I could use someone who wants to run - I am doing some 5K's coming up soon...don't know if I could do a half marathon b/c of the feet issues...but anyway, let me know if you want to run sometime together!