•Day 06 — Whatever tickles your fancy
Ok, so today's topic will be the road to my 1/2 Marathon
So if you had asked me two or three years ago if I thought I would even consider running a 1/2 marathon I probably would have laughed in your face. As an adult I have always had a disdain for running yet did it anyway.
About four years ago I was actually pretty fast doing 8:30 minute miles for a 5k run but then I stopped playing league soccer and had some health issues... and started going really slow.
About the same time I was running fast I was gearing up to start doing triathlons. I was a competitive swimmer in Junior High and High School. I loved to bike and have ridden three RAGBRAI's with my dad but running wasn't really something I just head out and do. But I figured I got the other two under control so why not. So I started training with my neighbor, joined a triathlon club and bought a road bike.
My first three years of triathlons I was sick, pregnant, or just had a baby so last year was really my first real season of racing. I joined a triathlon club here in Iowa, signed up for an eight week training group, and became determined to learn how to run.
I read the book ChiRunning to learn some running principles. Short version goes something like this: run with the upper body loose, hit with your whole foot or mid foot not your toes or heels, land with your feet directly below your body with a slight forward lean, and use your core not your legs to propel you. This greatly reduces the impact on your body and makes running more comfortable. I spent a couple of months trying to fit all the principles together and magically adding distance hurt a little less and of late I actually yearn to go for a run. Amazing what happens when form improves, fitness increases and mindset changes.
With my great excitement to race last year I signed up to do two Olympic Races (see my previous fitness posts that talk about the different Tri race lengths) which end with a 10k (6.2 mile) run. My first of the two races was shortened to a sprint due to the weather but in September I finally got to do my first Olympic race and love that distance.
So I decided I needed to put in more focused running effort so I can run a 10k faster. Then I thought if I am going to do 2-3 Olympic distance races in 2011 why not up the ante and do a longer run so I signed up to do my first 1/2 marathon the last week in April. This past week I actually ran 12 miles over the week and in two days this weekend I did 10 miles... this week I am going to go for my longest run of 7 miles. If all goes well... 1/2 Ironman is next. You all may think I am crazy, but having fitness goals with a date assigned keeps me moving. I will keep you posted on my adventures of fitness.
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