My Connection to the World Cup Game Yesterday

This may surprise some people, but I played a soccer game yesterday. Ok not really. However, I did almost as much as they did in similar weather. So I think I deserve some props for that.

As far as I can tell from my advanced internet research (internet is always right), soccer players run up to 9.5 miles per game. Their weather in Brazil for the US game was 78 with 87% humidity. They were in such weather for about 95 minutes.

Now to compare what I did yesterday: Weather in Hendersonville, TN at 6am (when I started my run) was 70 degrees with 97% humidity. It got up to 77 before my run was over. I ran 9 miles and I was out there for 116 minutes. Not to compare, but I'm pretty sure I'm more hard-core than the FIFA World Cup.

Needless to say, it was a great run! I was just a bit sweaty, but I felt great. Glad I got my run in before it got to 97 later in the day. And I didn't even have to dramatically flop and act like a diva!


DISCLAIMER: I actually really enjoyed watching the US soccer game. I have great respect for their athletic abilities. Just had to let the internet world know that I happen to be better. Just don't make me kick a ball.

Treadmills, Bucket List, and Orange Towels

I did it! Day number 2! I've loyally written an entry two days in a row!

Anyway...

I ran yesterday. I stuck to the treadmill because the 100+ degree heat index didn't sound too appealing.

It was a fairly slow 3 miler (time shown includes warm up and cool down). Thursday runs are always rough just because they come after two days of hard running. For those of you who are interested, here is the training schedule I try to follow:

Week	Mon	Tue	Wed	Thu	Fri	Sat	Sun
1	Stretch & strengthen	3 m run	5 x 400 5-K pace	3 m run + strength	Rest	3 m run	5 m run
2	Stretch & strengthen	3 m run	30 min tempo	3 m run + strength	Rest	3 m pace	6 m run
3	Stretch & strengthen	3.5 m run	6 x 400 5-K pace	3 m run + strength	Rest	Rest	5-K Race
4	Stretch & strengthen	3.5 m run	35 min tempo	3 m run + strength	Rest	3 m run	7 m run
5	Stretch & strengthen	4 m run	7 x 400 5-K pace	3 m run + strength	Rest	3 m pace	8 m run
6	Stretch & strengthen	4 m run	40 min tempo	3 m run + strength	Rest or easy run	Rest	10-K Race
7	Stretch & strengthen	4.5 m run	8 x 400 5-K pace	3 m run + strength	Rest	4 m pace	9 m run
8	Stretch & strengthen	4.5 m run	40 min tempo	3 m run + strength	Rest	5 m pace	10 m run
9	Stretch & strengthen	5 m run	9 x 400 5-K pace	3 m run + strength	Rest or easy run	Rest	15-K Race
10	Stretch & strengthen	5 m run	45 min tempo	3 m run + strength	Rest	5 m pace	11 m run
11	Stretch & strengthen	5 m run	10 x 400 5-K pace	3 m run + strength	Rest	3 m pace	12 m run
12	Stretch & strengthen	4 m run	30 min tempo	2 m run	Rest	Rest	Half Marathon

This is Hal Hidgon's Intermediate Half Marathon program. I am currently in week 7. So as you can see, today is a much needed rest day!

I thought I'd share with you all my "Race Bucket List" and why I want to do each one. It's not very realistic, but I'm not putting pressure on myself to acctually accomplish all of these. They would just be fun to do if I had the opportunity.

• Rock N Roll Half Marathon-Chicago, IL
• I loved the RNR Half I did in Nashville and Chicago would be flatter!

 

• Rock N Roll Virginia Beach-Virginia Beach, VA
• I've never been to Virginia Beach, but its close enough to drive and it sounds fun!

 

• Rock N Roll Washington DC-Washington DC
• Already signed up for this, but running past all of the government buildings and monuments just sounds fantastic!

 

• Rock N Roll Raleigh-Raleigh, NC
• I've just heard Raleigh is really cool!

 

• Marine Corps Half- Fredricksburg, VA
• I have family in Fredricksburg so it'd be fun to see them, but this is also just a really big race with a HUGE medal

 

• Disney Princess Half Marathon-Orlando, FL
• Disney princesses. Need I say more?

 

• Disney Wine and Dine Half Marathon-Orlando, FL
• Good food. The whole reason I run (if I'm honest)

 

• The Hapalua Half-Honolulu, HI
• One of the biggest halves in the country, and come on, HAWAII!

 

• Chicago Half Marathon-Chicago,
• It'd be fun to do the Chicago marathon, but that's a little to intense for me, so this is the compromise

 

• Key West Half Marathon-Key West, FL
• Again, location, location, location

 

• Nike Women’s Half Marathon- San Francisco, CA
• They give you a Tiffany necklace at the finish line. That's pretty darn sweet

 

• One America 500 Mini-Marathon-Indianapolis, IN
• This one ends on the Indy 500 track. Don't like racing, but it'd still be really cool.

 

• Pro Football Hall of Fame Half Marathon-Canton, OH
• My love of football and my love of running put together

 

• Rock N Roll Dublin
• Would be closely followed by a month long trip to England.

 

Obviously budget and time are not on my side here! Just thought you'd all be interested.

 

Random fact of the day:

 

They changed the old grey towels in the gym for some bright orange ones. I'm really hoping the color doesn't bleed onto my sweaty face!

 

 

Any other races I should add to my list? Let me know!

Cheaper than Therapy

Hello to all reading this! I've decided to try to keep up with a blog to document my experience training for a marathon. I think the major reason I want to do this is so I can look back and see how far I've come. As I've gotten more and more into running, I really enjoy talking about it and I know I've started to annoy people around me, so I can talk to you instead!
So for those of you who want to listen to my rants, keep reading! I'll do my best to update periodically, but can't promise I will keep up with it (because I never have before).
I was inspired both to run and to blog by my Dad. He is an avid cyclist who showed me that "normal" people can do some of these extrodinary athletic feats. You can follow his blog here: http://craigsragbrai.blogspot.com as he trains for RAGBRAI next month.
So that brings me to my running. My first "major" race was several years ago when I completed a rainy Chicago Spring Half Marathon. It was miserable and I didn't really do real well. However, recently I have started running seriously again. I ran the Country Music Half Marathon last April and it was wonderful! I finished in 2:58 (my goal was under 3 hours). I have been running a bunch of shorter races. I've even gotten my husband involved in a couple. My next big race is the Music City 10k on July 4. I'm running the Women's Running Series Half Marathon in Nashville in September. I also have just recently signed up for the Rock N' Roll Washington DC Half Marathon next March. That brings me to the reason for this blog. I will be running the Country Music Marathon again this April. However, this time I'm  doing all 26.2 miles of it!
I have been roughly following Hal Hidgon's half marathon training programs. For the Country Music Half, I used his Novice 1 training. I am currently going through the Intermediate training. I will probably end up using his marathon training as well, just becuase I'm used to it. I will begin doing the actual marathon training around Christmas this year.
I tend to have a love/hate relationship with running which I'm sure will show as I talk more and more about running. However, the whole racing experience is addicting! I'm excited to share my thoughts with you!