You would think that I would know better.  I spend my time advising women runners on training, shoes, motivation,etc.,  and at the office, I am the oracle on all things running.  

So when the email came through a couple of days ago from a fellow Traxee asking me to do the Nike Half-Marathon with her I should have turned the offer down flat.  My work schedule has prevented me from solidly training through the summer and I have been lucky if my mileage has gone over 20 miles a week of late.  Plus, there's the little matter of the 3 pounds I've gained over the past 5 months and the fact that its been an obscene amount of time since I did an interval workout. 

Nonetheless, the temptation was too great.  I go to the Nike website.  I see that the Half is in just about 5 weeks.  I plunk down my credit card and register.

Immediately I begin to panic.  I simply cannot DNF.  Everything I know about training tells me that I am crazy to try this.  

But wait - I do have a solid base of running on which to build.  And I have been doing long runs up to 8 miles on the weekends. "OK,"I tell myself - maybe this is doable.  I mean, I'm not going to break any speed records here, but finishing?  Yeah, I can probably do it!

SO here I am.  I have 5 weeks to get ready.  I'm scoping a training schedule that strikes a delicate balance between solid conditioning and injury avoidance and have decided on Hal Higdon's plan for beginners (since I haven't been seriously training) and I am 7 weeks behind.  All I want to do is finish, not break any speed records!

Here's my plan:

Week	Mon	Tue	Wed	Thu	Fri	Sat	Sun
1	Stretch & Strengthen	4.5 m run	3 m run or cross	4.5 m run + strength	Rest	50 min cross	8 m run
2	Stretch & Strengthen	5 m run	3 m run or cross	5 m run + strength	Rest or easy run	Rest	10-K Race
3	Stretch & Strengthen	5 m run	3 m run or cross	5 m run + strength	Rest	60 min cross	9 m run
4	Stretch & Strengthen	5 m run	3 m run or cross	5 m run + strength	Rest	60 min cross	10 m run
5	Stretch & Strengthen	4 m run	3 m run or cross	2 m run	Rest	Rest	Half Marathon

 

Stay tuned!

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Tags: half marathon, nike half marathon, training, distance running, DNF

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ok, my half is in 4 weeks. i am totally stealing your training program ;) i have been slacking so much these past few weeks that i don't even know where i'm supposed to be on the program i was using. thanks! good luck with your race! Posted by: elisal20 on Sep 23, 2008 at 03:02 PM

As for a tracking device - definitely use the Google maps thing here at Traxee. It's really easy to use and you can plan your route in advance. Google maps will tell you how many miles your route is as you build it so it's easy to figure out how long each of your routes are. My problem is I am trying to figure out what to cross-train since I don't own a bike anymore...mmm...swimming? Posted by: bmoore on Sep 18, 2008 at 09:22 PM

Ok, this is a little off. I was going to start yesterday so I started with the first Wednesday recommended mileage but did it this morning. Hhhm. Ok, heeerrree we go! Posted by: Betty on Sep 18, 2008 at 10:04 AM

Oh man...I think I can do this. lets do it Traxee. keep us informed on your progress! :) Posted by: KDface on Sep 17, 2008 at 01:30 PM

Crap! I've been guestimating miles. What distance tracking device could you reccomend for me? I am starting this evening. So, it is Wednesday...3 miles here I come. Thank You. This is SO AWESOME...couldn't do it without you! Posted by: Betty on Sep 17, 2008 at 01:24 PM