Flying Pig Training - Update

I've been trying not to let this turn into a running blog, so I haven't posted all that much about my Flying Pig training. I thought I deserved an update and brag session right about now.

I ran over 100 miles in January. 101.8 according to Daily Mile, but I ran two other days in January before I started using their program. Of course, I didn't write it down, so we'll just call it over 100.

Got some new shoes after my first long run when I realized that a proper pair of running shoes was pretty much a necessity.



I'm able to run at a much faster pace than I was anticipating. On short runs I can run 9:30ish miles with no problems at all. Sometimes, I can even run a sub-9:00, which is exciting. Given that, I'm still of the mindset that "slow and steady wins the race," so my goal for the actual marathon is a nice, consistent, comfortable 10:30, which translates to about 4.5 hours. I don't like running faster, I like running longer.

On Saturday, I ran my longest run ever, with the help of my running buddy. We ran 12.64 miles. Sure, sure, we only got that extra .64 because we made a wrong turn, but we still did it. That's a half mile short of a half marathon, or just about five more minutes of running.

I decided that I'm going to run the Heart Half Marathon in March. I'd like to have an actual race behind me before going into the Pig. That way I'll know what to expect.

I'm excited!

Flying Pig Training - Week 1

Week one is over and done!



I had my first long run with the training group on Saturday. I did a much better job at keeping my speed down, thanks to my new running buddy and one of the group coaches. It was a nice, comfortable run, a good pace to maintain a conversation but still know that I was working hard. We ran over the Cincinnati bridges, through parts of downtown, and past the stadiums. I ended up running nine miles at an 11:02 pace, which also included three shoe-tying stops and a few instances of getting a little bit lost and slowing down to get directions. NINE MILES. And I probably could have kept going. It was amazing, and I'm so proud of myself. That's 2.5 miles farther than I've ever gone before. Even more amazing, it didn't hurt. I even did my 3 mile recovery run yesterday without a struggle.

Good times! New shoes this week, for sure. I forgot that my initial complaint about the shoes I'm running in now (which I originally bought for P90X) was that they seemed a little too narrow for my feet. Makes sense that the discomfort I have is in the arch of my foot. Hopefully new shoes will take care of that problem for me.

Flying Pig Training - Run 1

Last night I had my first group training run. I was nervous and excited leading up to it. It was one of the most exhilarating experiences of my life. It was so neat to be out running through the streets of the city with over a hundred other people who all share the same goal of completing a 26.2 mile run. Much more motivating and inspiring than running on my own in loops through my neighborhood.

I definitely surprised myself - I put myself in the slower of the two groups, the 9:30/mile and above pace. I honestly have no idea what kind of pace I run. I know that on a 3 mile run I'm below 10 minutes, but every time I set off for a longer run I either forget the Droid or don't remember to write down my start time, so I've never actually calculated it. Last night I ran at a 9:30 pace for the whole 4.5 miles. I was shocked to find that I could (relatively) easily keep up with the front of the pack. I guess my solo training has paid off. I don't really think that it's a sustainable pace for me over longer distances, though, so that's something I'm going to need help with. I don't really know how to slow it down. I feel awkward when I try to run slower, but I know that I need to. I'm also going to need new shoes pretty soon, especially given my knee history.

Good times! I'm super excited about the longer run on Saturday.

And Away We Go

This evening I'm doing my first run with the Flying Pig Marathon training group that I've signed up with.



I'm feeling a little intimidated by the goal that I've set for myself. Sometimes I think "no problem, I can SO do this!" Other times it's more of a "WTF am I thinking?" mentality. It seems to vary day to day and mile to mile. I feel like I'm just randomly guessing at what I should be doing, so having some sort of set schedule and people who I can go to for advice on pacing and eating will be good for me. I tend to thrive in that kind of structured environment, which is why P90X worked so well for me. I'm hoping that I'll be successful this time around, too.

I keep telling myself that it's ok if I only end up running the half marathon, but I know the overachiever in me will be disappointed. For the time being, I'm going to pretend that option doesn't exist. That could all go to hell in a handbasket next week, but we'll just take it one day at a time :)

Flying Pig Training Week 2

I ran 6.5 miles on Saturday! It felt really great to cross that 6 mile threshold. I've also decided that my MP3 player needs to consist exclusively of punk rock - Goldfinger, to be specific.

The information meeting for the group I plan to join is tomorrow night. I'm really looking forward to it! I'm not really enjoying running in the cold, but it is what it is. I think I just need better pants and some gloves that aren't puffy. And a handkerchief. No one told me how much snot was involved in running!

Flying Pig Training Week 1

This week is the real beginning of my Flying Pig training program. I combed the interwebs and found a 17-week schedule that I'm going to use as the basis of my training. I'm also signing up for a training group that starts in January, so my calendar is only penciled in right now, as it's all subject to change. I hate pencil.

So yesterday was my first "long run." Technically it's supposed to be next weekend, but since I'm feeling intimidated and it was a beautiful 65 degrees out, I decided to go for it. I made it 5.25 miles, which is officially the farthest I've ever run in my entire life. I did walk for 20 seconds somewhere in the middle while I drank water, but I didn't bother to subtract that distance :)

I almost felt like I could keep going, but since I don't really know my limits I decided to quit while I was ahead rather than risk damaging myself. That, and I really wanted to play with Kinect, so I didn't want to be too sore. I'm ridiculously proud of myself. Even if I get to the end of the training program and don't feel like I can run the whole 26.2 miles, I can at least plan for the half. But I'd still like to do the full. So I'm going to do it. Just keep saying it in my head and it will happen, right?

Speaking of the Kinect, here's a little PSA: Don't wear socks on wood floors while you're playing. I did a spectacular backflip when my legs went out from under me. Other than that, it's the most fun I've had in a long time.

Statement of Accountability

Five months ago I watched some of the Cincinnati Flying Pig Marathon on TV, and thought "Hey, I can do that!" I think husband Charlie thought it was a phase, and that I'd forget about it within a week or two.

Five months later, I still want to do it. And I still think I can. So now I'm researching marathon training and running groups, and next month I'll be going to an information session for one of the most popular ones in our area.

And I'm going to do it. I'm going to train to run a full marathon, and if I get to race day and I feel like I can only run a half, then that will be ok.

So why am I telling you this? Because if it's on the interwebs, it has to be true. So there it is, my accountability.

I swear, that's the only thing that got me through P90X. It's going to get me through this, too. Sad, but sometimes I succeed only because I don't want to let other people down.

That and I want a bumper sticker....