Half Marathon Training

*FIND UPDATED VERSION HERE*
I have a new friend, named Hal Higdon.  I'm not really sure how much I like him yet....I think he's trying to kill me. lol :) I started out using his Intermediate Half Marathon Training program a few weeks ago.  It's been going well so far.  I feel like I might be doing a little too much too fast.  But it's not supposed to be easy either.  So I think as long as I don't have any real, serious pain....I'll just keep going.  I extended it a little so that I could ease into it.

Here's what I've been doing:
Week 1
Monday: (work) 3 mile run (9:05)
Tuesday: 6 mile run (9:28)/bodypump
Wednesday: 5x400 @ 5k pace (2.35mi/9:34)
Thursday: 3 mile run (9:18)/bodypump
Friday: (work) 3 mile run (9:25)/yoga
Saturday: 2 miles (9:25)/bodypump
Sunday: rest

Week 2
Monday: (work) 3 mile run (9:09)
Tuesday: 5 mile run (9:29)/bodypump
Wednesday: 5 miles (9:32)
Thursday: 5 miles (9:15)/bodypump
Friday: (work) 5x400 @ 5k pace (9:45)/yoga
Saturday: 3 miles (9:32)
Sunday: rest

Week 3
Monday: (work)3 miles (9:13)
Tuesday: 6 miles (9:29)
Wednesday: 5x400 (8:50)
Thursday: 30 minute tempo (3.22mi/9:22)/bodypump
Friday: (work) PAL 5k (3.11mi/26:31min/8:28)
Saturday: 1 mile (9:31)/bodypump
Sunday: rest

Week 4
Monday: (work) 3.52 miles (9:23)
Tuesday: 6 miles (9:32)/bodypump
Wednesday: 2.04 mi (9:19) 20 minute tempo

Thursday: 4 mi (9:30)/yoga/bodypump

And we are up to date :) I may just update this post as training progresses instead of a million boring posts.

New PR and a really fun time

Last night after work I ran in the local Police Athletic Leagues Blue Night 5k.

August 16th bear in mind, but it was mid 60's drizzling and super chilly for us during the summer.  When I signed up I was really dreading running in that hot muggy summer afternoon heat, but all was well!

I met my running buddy there (stalked her out of the crowd) because I knew I would push harder if I was chasing her. And it worked!  I set a new personal record of 26:30 which blew my previous

29:35 out of the water.

But this is the first time I can really say I worked hard that whole race!  We ran with a bunch of 16ish year old guys the whole time who were not having to work hard at all but kept a pretty steady pace (does mot reflect in my splits) so it worked out ok.

James met me at the finish line with flowers! Winner!

We stayed for the awards because you just never know, and Erika and I ended up getting 2nd and 3rd in our age group. I was third :) I started sprinting way to far away from the finish and rather than throw up in front of everybody I slowed down a smidge.

Yay us! 

Oh and the girls...yeah they were perfectly happy warm and cozy at Grammys house watching little rascals.

I'd call it a success!