A Running Start: Week One



Ewww...why am I posting about running?!  I'll tell you why, because I signed up with my sister in law to run "The Other Half" marathon in Moab in October and I am a first-time, beginner, just-starting-to-run runner. 

Maybe, I shouldn't have started off this post with an 'ewww.'  That is, more or less, a negative attitude about the whole thing (which is what I'm trying to avoid), nevertheless, that sentiment is pretty indicative of how I've felt about running all my life, even though I've secretly always wanted to be one of those weird, crazy running people.

The race is in 6 weeks and I just started training for it last week.  Here is my week 1 recap:

Workout:  I ran/walked a total of 13 miles last week.  I rested on Friday and Sunday and I guess technically Thursday, but I went to ballet on Thursday and I don't really consider that resting.  Hopefully my weekly ballet workouts will lend to my half-marathon training.

Concerns:  There is a time limit of  3 hrs and 30 mins (16 min. mile).  While I do run under a 16 min. mile (I average an 11 min. mile) I still don't like the time restraint.  The most I've run thus far in my training is 4 miles, but I walked part of it.  I'm concerned about the fact that I'm not running all of it.  Is that a valid concern or is it OK that I'm horribly out of shape and can't even run for 4 miles straight because it is, after all only my first week of training?

The Positives:  Running has helped me become a little more oriented with my neighborhood and I've observed a lot of cool landscapes.  On my 3-mile route there is a fun, babbling little fountain just as I come up on mile 3.  I didn't know it was there the first time and it was a pleasant and welcomed surprise that got me through the last leg.  I look forward to it every time!  Not so much a positive, but I've sadly noticed how much trash there is.  Seriously, did the "Give a Hoot, Don't Pollute" campaign do nothing for us?!

My Tricks:  In life, I've found that I do my best if someone else is relying or dependent upon me.  I find that I'm unmotivated when it comes to motivating myself.  I partnered with my company, Encana, and Team Sweat Equity, to make my race mean something.  I've set a goal to raise $1,300 for Project PAVE (Promoting Alternatives to Violence through Education).  My company will pay PAVE $16/hr for every hour that I train and anyone can donate using my personal fundraising page.  This gives me something and someone to be accountable to, other than just myself.

My Questions:  What are some favorite foods/snacks/drinks that runners like to eat or drink, respectively?  How long do you need to stretch before and after the run?  When I run all I can think about is running, I can't focus on anything else for any beneficial amount of time and that's what I think leads me to my walking spurts.  How do I re-focus my mind and block out the unnecessary negatives about running? (note:  I don't like to listen to music when I'm running in the city--I'd rather not have that distraction, plus we can't have music when we run the race).

The first week is done and all in all, I'm proud of myself thus far and I know I have a lot of improvement down the road.  Here's to a happy and healthy week 2!