The End Is The Beginning (Is The End), or Halfway There

As of Saturday (August 2), I am halfway done with training. Saturday was the end of Week 12. I have been a runner for essentially three months. This was inherently true this weekend, as I brought my running gear with me to Portland for a friend's bachelorette weekend. Early Saturday morning, before heading out to the beach for bachelorette antics, I headed out on the Springwater Trail in Portland (it runs right along the Willamette) and put in around 7.5 miles. It was a great run and realizing that I had taken time out of a weekend of unhealthy activities to run made me realize that I had in fact become a runner.*

Of course, becoming a runner is a full-time kind of job. Once you're a runner, you're always going to have to practice--much like being a lawyer or a doctor. I'm still a ways off from where I would like to be in terms of pace and endurance, etc., but I am certain that I will finish this race on October 19 and that I will continue to run road races as long as my body will let me. I never thought that I would say something like that.

*While I had a blast at the bachelorette party, it was fairly clear that the salty, fried, cheesy food and countless alcoholic beverages that I consumed were not the norm for me, nor would they be anytime in the near future if I want to still be a runner.

This Is How We Do*

There have been a flurry of questions about my training for Nike. Trust me, there's no way that I could run 13.1 miles (in a row) tomorrow. I could complete 13.1 miles tomorrow, but I certainly would not be running them (and, it would really cut into my work day)!

Since I am running Nike with TNT, I have to raise at least $4,000 to even run the race. So, if I don't raise the $4,000, I either pay out of pocket to reach the $4,000 fundraising minimum, or, I don't get to run. But, I'm not worried about that at this point. In exchange for me raising $4,000, I get my entry fee paid, my travel expenses, and most importantly, I get training to actually be able to run the race.

My training lasts 23 weeks. Weeks 1-7 are a base phase, during which I will be running "easy" runs to build my endurance and to get my body accustomed to running consistently. I will run 5 days a week during those weeks. We run for time, not mileage, but, if you run at a slower pace, you have to run for a longer time period (to make sure you're getting ready for the longer runs later). During week 1, I ran for at least 150 minutes (I actually ran a little more than that). Week 2, I ran for at least 160 minutes (again, I ran a little more). Week 3: 170m minimum; Week 4: 190m minimum; Week 5: 190m minimum; Week 6: 200m minimum; and Week 7: 200m minimum.

During weeks 8-18, I will be in the strength phase. I'll still be running five days a week, but I will be upping my intensity and adding in hill and tempo runs throughout the week. The minimum time spent running during those weeks is: Week 8: 190m; Week 9: 200m; Week 10: 200m; Week 11: 210m; Week 12: 210m; Week 13: 220m; Week 14: 240m; Week 15: 200m; Week 16: 250m; Week 17: 200m; Week 18: 260m.

During weeks 19-23, I will be in the taper phase. I'll still be running 5 days a week, but I'll be running easier runs to allow my body to recover from the strength training to be prepared for my race (in week 23). The weekly running time minimums will be: Week 19: 190m; Week 20: 230m (four days of running only); Week 21: 160m (four days of running); Week 22: 130m (four days of running); and Week 23: 130m (four days).

Finally, on Sunday, October 19 (technically, the start of Week 24), I will run the Nike Half-Marathon (13.1 miles). That day, I'll be running for distance and not time.

* I have not forgotten grammar. This is the title of a song by The Game, and it's one of my favorite running/workout songs.

1 down, 22 to go

The Nike Marathon is in October, so for me to be able to run 13.1 miles--in a row--I need ample training time. My training schedule includes approximately 23 weeks of training, running 5 days per week each training week. The training is based on time v. distance (for example, I may have to run 30 minutes as opposed to 3 miles). The first 7 weeks of training are the "easy" runs, where I should be able to complete my run and still feel as if I could continue to run further and faster.

The easy concept is fine when I run by myself. However, that type-A+ personality of mine can't really handle the easy run concept when running with others. Case in point, running with the Flying Irish, with the training group, or last Sunday with Chad. Now, I know I have limitations in running, but I will find myself trying to maintain pace or lap others, if only because I need to compete. However, as Jackie just told me, "Run your own race." I may need to write this on my hand next time I run in a group.

That said, I completed my first week of training on Saturday--with five runs of around 30 minutes each. All runs were fine (some faster than "easy" and some that include more hills than "easy" called for). Week 1's runs were fueled by: Propel Endurance Water, breakfast at Madeleine's (post-run), and the following artists on my iPod: Pat Benatar, Mary J. Blige, Motley Crue, Lily Allen, Saul Williams, Jamiroquai, George Michael, The All-American Rejects, Beck, Duran Duran, Rihanna, The Bravery, Amy Winehouse, Lupe Fiasco, Moby, Plain White T's, Nas, Chingy, The Roots, Janet Jackson, The Prodigy, Consequence, Justin Timberlake, The Rapture, The Chemical Brothers, Kelly Clarkson, The Bangles, Danger, Poison, Jay-Z, Guns N' Roses, and Fergie.

Sugar might actually be the devil

Do not eat sweets (specifically, half of a Great Harvest Bakery Magic Bar) right before bed time when you have a training run in the morning (you will experience serious intestinal distress).