Nothing gets your butt back in gear after a fabulous weekend away with the girls than kicking off your half marathon training. (Did you catch our adventures on Instagram and Facebook? We had such an amazing, but indulgent, time).
Yep, it’s that time again. Boston’s Run to Remember is coming up at the end of May, and given that we have some travel coming up in April (more to come on that!), I want to start my training a few weeks early. So here I am at Week 1.
The good news is that I already have a decent base to start with.
I’ve been running around 15-18 miles a week, with my long runs currently peaking at 9 miles. However, my long runs haven’t been easy, my foot issues have been coming and going, and I admit I’m feeling a bit nervous.
I think I’m also putting a bit of pressure on myself. I know this course, having run in twice before, and given how close I’ve come to breaking the 2:00 mark (remember those 4 seconds at Smuttynose? ), I can’t help but feel that a sub-2 is in my grasp.
Also, it’s definitely a different feeling running with a charity team for the first time…and running in honor of my grandfather. I’m so grateful to all my friends and family who have contributed to my run, helping me raise at least $1000 for the Alzheimer’s Association (thank you thank you thank you!!!), and I just don’t want to let them down.
But I’m doing my best to push all of that aside and just focus on having one good run after the next. And for me, that’s where having a plan comes in. I’m a Type A planner, so seeing what I have lined up for the week, and then checking the box after I’m done (ahh, such a gratifying feeling!), just works for me.
I also wanted to make sure this training plan — based on an enormous amount of research — allows me to do more than just run. I want to continue with my strength training and my weekly spin class, while also allowing for some flexibility (traveling husband, vacation plans, sick kids, etc.).
In the end, I think I have a plan that’s realistic and customized for my crazy schedule, somewhat challenging, and will hopefully prepare me to run a strong and smart race in May.
Here’s my spring half marathon training plan…
(LSD: Long Slow Distance, HMP: half marathon pace)
How do you plan or prep before a race?
Rachel Hanson says
Good luck! Running is definitely not the sport for me, but I really admire people who do it.