Inspiration Wanted

I admit, February was not one of my better running months. I was on track and then off, mostly because of weather conditions and traveling. So this week I have renewed my half-marathon training and am eying a bit of an unconventional race: the ODDyssey Half. 

Part of the problem with me registering is that I’m intimidated by the half. I haven’t run longer than 9.25 miles EVER and that was a slow run. I know I have time to build, but I feel like I’m also kind of a slow runner so maybe I should be working on that first. I’m just very much doubting my own running ability.

I need some inspiration, but don’t know where to find it. Even this post is uninspiring. Sorry for being a Debbie Downer on a Friday!

Wussing Out

I must start this blog entry with a confession: I didn’t run outside this weekend. The wind and cold were too biting in Philadelphia to will me to complete my four miles outside. (The Garmin is still in his box, unused.)

On the upside, I drove into work to use the gym and it was wonderfully deserted! I kept an 11:30/mile pace for all 4 miles. I know that isn’t sounding very quick, but it’s my comfortable pace. I’d have no problem running the entire half marathon at that pace either. Speaking of, I’ve got to stop putting off my registration before the price gets any higher. I think I’m going to run the race in my hometown of Pittsburgh. The downside of this is that I will have to sit in a car for 5 hours after completing the race. However, I don’t have too many qualms about taking a sick day that Monday if my legs are stiff/ready to fall off.

I may finally break out of my indoor running rut tomorrow evening. It’s going to be a balmy 37 degrees! However, we might get more snow after that. Ah, how I love living in the Northeast.

Run and Chew Gum at the Same Time?

This week my running has been pathetic at best. I was supposed to begin training for a half marathon Jan. 3. I was sick that week, so then it became Jan. 10. It snowed this week and my treadmill at home (which had been working for 2 weeks) had issues again so I’ve logged 3 miles this week and that’s it.

Tonight, I will be making my first return trip to the work gym after my last oh-so-pleasant experience. Hopefully more people are interested in happy hour than workout hour since it’s a Friday night. I’m also going to try something new today while running. There is a woman at the gym who runs for hours on the treadmill (no idea how she both mentally and physically does that) and I always notice she has a pack of gum with her. Then I read on KIMpossible’s blog that she uses gum as a thirst-quencher and as a way to control her breathing. So tonight, my pack of Trident and I will give this a whirl. Hopefully, I don't choke.

Running Wardrobe Malfunction

Nothing is more irritating than too-big running tights on a run. I think I must have stretched them out in the washer or something because the Nike pair I wore on Thursday were falling down the entire time I was braving the cold and all I did was hike them up with every step. I think I need to invest in the drawstring kind. I didn’t give anyone a show, but had I not hiked up those tights, I definitely would have been showing waaayyyy too much skin!

Aside from the running tights, this run was tough! The wind was whipping and it was about 20 degrees. I just never seemed to get my breath. I ended up only staying out for a mile and going home.

Today is a treadmill run after work. I haven’t done more than 3.5 miles in all of December, so I need to bang out 4 today at more of a comfortable pace for me (11:30). I’ve been really focused on speeding up my 5k time before I start half-marathon training in January.

Speaking of the half, if anyone can point me to any training programs you liked, please do!