Half Marathon Training Weeks 8, 9 and 10

I haven't posted in a while, but life has been insane, here is a 3 week update of some less than ideal training weeks due to weather, a cold and business travel.

Week 8

Tuesday, October 9, 2012 - 3.1 miles (5 km) It was a very overcast and windy day, but I was able to run at a consistent pace.  I struggled with asthma a bit, but found a new trail and a huge hill to add something a bit different to my training.  I also did the runner's core workout afterwards.

Wednesday, October 10, 2012 - I should have run 5 miles, but could feel a head cold starting and was exhausted, I instead rested.

Thursday, October 11, 2012 - Rest again, still feeling under the weather.

Saturday, October 13, 2012 - I found myself in Port Carling to attend the Cranberry Festival in Bala, there should have been a 10 mile run this weekend, but I got a bit carried away with good company and then Sunday it was cold, raining very heavily and windy, I took a pass.

Not such a great week, but I was feeling better by the end of it.

Week 9

Tuesday, October 16, 2012 - 5 miles (8.60 km) Okay I went a bit further than 5 miles, but I felt guilty about the previous week and knew I could not run Wednesday.  Ran to that new found trail, then to the waterfront, and ran to big hill on my way home.

Thursday, October 18, 2012 - 3 miles (4.93 km) A good run on a nice sunny afternoon, and again I went a bit over the suggested mileage, but I was having a good run and got sidetracked.

Saturday, October 20, 2012 - I ran in the Muskoka Mud Run, 9.3 km after weeks of rain.  There was a lot of mud, crazy hills and a great time.

Week 10

Flew to Kenora for work with great intentions to run, but was faced with a torrential downpour and lightning, then the next night I left work too late and it was already dark.  Thursday when I got home I was sure I could run, but the airline had not put my bag on my last flight, meaning I arrived home hours before my running gear.  Not great, very frustrating.

Saturday, October 28, 2012 - 11.45 miles (18.43 km) A nice long run, the first one in a while.  Around mile 9 I could feel my right hip flexor but kept going.  I went a bit further than the suggested 11 miles but it felt good at the time.  Forward to Saturday night my muscles were so sore I had a hard time going up and down the stairs, but I made sure to stretch, get plenty of fluid and rest.

Sunday, October 29, 2012 - I did one repetition of my runner's core workout, some yoga and some stretching along with the help of my foam roller.  My legs felt much better after this.  I wanted to run again, as I will not be able to get 3 in during the week but felt some stretching would be more beneficial.

Only two weeks to go until the big event!

Half Marathon Training Week 7

Monday, October 1, 2012 - Rest

Tuesday, October 2, 2012 - 3 miles (4.86 km) I attempted to run at the waterfront, which always makes for a scenic run but of course there was construction, I gave up and headed home to run in the neighbourhood.  I did the runner's core workout after this run.

Wednesday, October 3, 2012 - 5 miles (8.24 km) Up early for this run, but of course I did not give myself quite enough time.  This was my first increase in mileage mid-week in the last few weeks.  I love longer runs and this was great, but with shorter days this may become more difficult.

Thursday, October 4, 2012 - 3 miles (4.86 km) I was feeling really tired today and debated a rest day but headed out, but sadly headed out at the exact moment it started pouring rain.  Oh well had I gone before work like I originally planned it would not have been a rainy run.  Runner's core workout after this run as well, so far seems effective.

Friday, October 5, 2012 - Rest and yes the Runner's Core Workout is producing results, but wow do several abdominal muscles hurt.

Saturday, October 6, 2012 - 9 miles (14.52 km) Started off nice and sunny, I was good at pacing myself and brought liquids along with me to stay hydrated.  On my way back it hailed, now hail is never pleasant but when wearing capris and a t-shirt and running it is very unpleasant and hurts.  After the hail came rain.  These long runs always seem attract bad weather, but on the bright side I felt great afterwards.  Only 4 more miles until I reach my goal of 13.1!

Sunday, October 7, 2012 - I am counting baking and walking home from dinner as cross training.  Baking a pumpkin cheesecake for Thanksgiving, pumpkin poppers and making some cranberry sauce is a fair amount of work, it must count.  I would have made an effort for real cross-training but I ran out of hours in the day.

Only 5 more weeks until race day!

Half Marathon Training Week 6 and Run for the Cure 2012

I can't believe week 6 is already here, my how time flies.

Monday, September 24, 2012 - Should have been a rest day, but off I went running.  About 3.1 miles (5.14 km).  My husband wanted to make sure he could run a 5k before the race on Sunday.  It was incredibly cold and windy but we made it through the run.

Tuesday, September 25, 2012 - 4 miles (6.4 km) I started this run too fast and found myself feeling hungry but by the last mile it felt like a good run.

Wednesday, September 26, 2012 - 3 miles (4.86 km) Got up early to run before work as I would not have time in the evening, good run, but it is so hard getting up when it is still dark.

Thursday, September 27, 2012 - Up early to head out of town on business.  No running but a little shopping this evening.

Friday, September 28, 2012 - Rest and travelling home.

Saturday, September 29, 2012 - Off to a party at my Uncle's and resting up for Run for the Cure.

Sunday, September 30, 2012 - Run for the Cure.  I ran with my husband and the other crazy chick.  It was a fun morning and a good run, but I felt really out of sorts without a long run on the weekend.  Does this ever happen to anyone else?

Natasha, Me, and my husband post run

Our Team