Wine and Dine Half Marathon Training Begins!

Well we are officially one week into runDisney's Wine and Dine Half Marathon Training!  Only 16 and a half weeks to go!  runDisney provides training guides for runners based on the Jeff Galloway training methods.  You can find them here! They update them every year and you can import them into your calendars for some gentle, or not so gentle reminders.

First Run of the 2014 Wine and Dine Half Marathon Training Guide!

I am notorious for not training.  I mean well, but then I just don't do it.  It seems like every race post starts out with some version of how it's another race that I haven't trained for.

Which there's no reason for that nonsense.  Jeff Galloway has 2 - 30 minute runs a week followed by a long run on Saturdays.  Like I can't find 30 minutes on Tuesdays and Thursdays to run, and I'm certainly not doing much on Saturdays. (except in the fall....we'll see how this works with football season!)

Running in the 90 degree heat along with at least 60% humidity should have me ready for Florida in November, right?

I'm combining the Couch to 5K intervals with the runDisney guide.  So last week, I did 2 - 30 minute runs, at 1 minute running and 90 seconds brisk walking, and then a 2 mile run on Saturday with the same intervals.  This week it's 2 - 30 minute runs with 90 seconds running and 2 minutes brisk walking with a 3 mile run on Saturday.

I'm hoping a combination of both increasing my intervals and mileage slowly will help me build my endurance, along with letting my knee and ankle heal from...whatever it is that's ailing them.

A very welcome unseasonably cool run!

I'm planning on heading to good old FleetFeet this weekend to get fitted for some new shoes.  My bargain bin Nike Outlet shoes aren't cutting it.  I plan on getting some new SuperFeet insoles as well. I L-O-V-E those.

What helps you to stick to your training for races?

July 4th Music City 10K/5K

How on earth is it already July?!?!  I feel like this year is absolutely flying by!  But here we are again, for the July 4th 10K.  We ran this race last year.  You can read about that here.  It was a soggy mess.  As all of 2013 was.

Not this year!  This year was absolutely beautiful.  We left the house around 6:30 and headed downtown.  It was around 65 degrees outside and no humidity.  Yes, you read that correctly!  July in Nashville and there was no humidity.  To the point I contemplated for a minute running back inside and grabbing a long sleeved shirt to wear.  It was chilly believe it or not!

I've been working with a personal trainer for about a month and have tried to get my running back on pace.  I've probably been pushing a little too hard too soon after the great ankle injury of Warrior Dash - Ohio.  So a combination of running too hard too soon, running too soon with an ankle injury and getting used to actually working my muscles again I've developed some knee pain.  This race is 2 loops.  You stop the first time for the 5K, or repeat it and complete the 10K.  Usually I hate that, but this year it was awesome.  I figured I'd test the old knee/ankle and see how it was going, if it was going well I'd complete the 10K that I signed up for, if not, I'd stop at the 5K.

Before the race - Jason and Ben

Jenn and Betsy

Ben, Hopper, and Jenn

We got downtown and got our packets in record time.  Of course we got there right after 7:00.  Then we found some friends and hung out until it was time to go.

We got in the shoot and stretched a little, the National Anthem was sung, and we're off.  I took roughly 50 steps and realized it'd be the 5K for me.  It was a beautiful morning for a run.  Across the bridge, by the stadium, and back down town and we're done.  Or at least I was, everyone else ran the 10K and had to see everything for a second time.

Ben approaching the finish line

I stood at the finish line and took pictures of everyone as they finished - everyone except Jason who passed me with half a mile left....yes...he finished a 10K before I finished a 5K. Then we rallied up and headed to Puckett's for brunch.

And he's done!

Unfortunately, Puckett's had a 45 minute wait.  Fortunately though, Frothy Monkey is right down the block.  I decided it was WAY passed time for us to try Frothy Monkey.  Some friends of mine from high school own it and I've said we need to try it for forever, but locations in comparison to Murfreesboro are difficult to get to. We have been missing out.  BIG TIME.  We had a couple beers and I had the Royale sandwich, and Ben had an omelet with anything his heart desired.

Happy Independence Day!

What did you do for the 4th?  Did you run in any Independence Day Races?