My Half Marathon Training Schedule

Starting Monday I will follow the 10 week running schedule from Marathon Rookie Half Marathon Training for Beginners. To avoid coming up with lame excuses or slacking off, I will be running in the morning before work. There won't be any lunches, dinners or after-work events holding me back.

Wish me luck!

10-Week Half Marathon Training Schedule

Week	Mon	Tue	Wed	Thu	Fri	Sat	Sun	Total
1	3	Rest	3	3	Rest	4	Rest	13
2	3	Rest	4	3	Rest	5	Rest	15
3	3	Rest	4	3	Rest	6	Rest	16
4	3	Rest	5	3	Rest	8	Rest	19
5	3	Rest	5	3	Rest	10	Rest	21
6	4	Rest	5	4	Rest	11	Rest	24
7	4	Rest	6	4	Rest	12	Rest	26
8	4	Rest	5	4	Rest	9	Rest	22
9	3	Rest	4	3	Rest	8	Rest	18
10	3	Rest	3	Walk 2	Rest	13.1	Rest	21.1

Running- Planning & Preparation

So you have gathered enough motivation and outlined your reasons for starting a running program. I'm sure you can't wait to hop on that treadmill or hit the pavement before your excitement runs out, but it is important to do a little planning and preparation to assess your needs, gather your resources, and define your goals.

Planning
Whether you're a beginner or a seasoned runner, there is a wealth of information online that can help you achieve your goals.  


Training programs and schedules

• Runner's World Nine-Week Half-Marathon Training Plan
• Marathon Rookie Half Marathon Training for Beginners
• Couch to 5k in 9 Weeks Running Program

Preparation
Running is one of the few sports that requires little investment. However, if you want to enhance your experience, you will find value in the following items:

Brooks Adrenaline GTS 9 

Running Shoes
Being the only equipment you will need, besides your legs, you will need to do some serious research and invest wisely. I failed to get the right shoes last year and risked a knee injury that kept me out of commission for a few months. This is the reason why I quit my running program altogether.

Before running to your nearest footlocker, take the time to read the following guide which explains pronation and its importance in choosing the proper running shoes. After reading this article, spending quite a few days at a chiropractor's office, and paying a visit to the nearest running shoe store, it was confirmed that I was an overpronator and needed to get motion control shoes. My Brooks Adrenaline have been a blessing, and I haven't had any discomfort on my knee since I got them.

Garmin Forerunner 305 GPS Receiver
With Heart Rate Monitor

Navigation
Unless you're running on a treadmill, you probably won't know for certain the number of miles you're running. I made this easier on myself by purchasing a GPS watch and heart rate monitor. After reading a number of reviews, I settled for the Garmin Forerunner 305.    This has been a great investment since I'm able to run freely around town without caring about where I'm going or for how long.

I am also able to upload all of my information into a little software called SportTracks and get a visual on my performance and route information.

But if you're not ready to make such an investment, there are some great online and mobile tools that can help you create maps and assess your routes.

• Map My Run- A great resource that enables you to map, find new runs and log your workouts. They also have a mobile application for iPhones and Android devices that allow for GPS navigation.
• Run Keeper- Track your workouts and access a community of runners. Currently have their mobile ap on my android phone.

Gear

In terms of apparel, I run with a small belt or fanny pack that holds a water bottle, my phone and keys. It is great since I don't have to worry about holding these items in my hands or leaving them behind. As I progress,   I am looking to invest in a windbreaker and other apparel.

Music
There is no better way to increase your motivation and pump up your performance than listening to great track. Whatever your music preference, get your hands on a smart phone iPod, or any other mp3 player for a better running experience.

• Find a workout station on Pandora or Slacker Radio
• Here is a list of Top 10 Running Songs of 2010
• Get some running headphones if the regular ones tend to fall out of your ear

Other Helpful Websites
These websites are excellent resources with a wealth of information that will enhance your running experience.

• http://www.runnersworld.com
• http://www.nyrr.org/
• http://www.coolrunning.com
• http://www.toprunningtips.com/

I hope you all enjoyed this guide and feel free to offer any suggestions I may have missed.

Running- Finding the Motivation

"The greatest thing you have is the 24 hours you have in front of you. The past is gone, the future is distant. Today you can succeed. Set a goal you can achieve within the next 24 hours."

I just recently had a week off from work during which I managed to do absolutely nothing. I thought that taking some responsibilities out of my schedule and becoming a full time couch potato was going to reduce the level of stress I've been under, but three days of sleeping and performing sedentary activities only led to some serious overeating and overwhelming feelings of guilt.

The year ago me would be disgusted by the sight of my sluggish life. Not only was I becoming a slob, but I was mercilessly throwing away all the work I put forth last year. Gone was the weight watchers Nazi, The gym freak, and the health nut within me. As if pushed by an invisible force, I made the unplanned decision to get off my behind and go for a run,  picking up the running shoes, GPS watch, and iPod shuffle I had purchased during my fitness craze. I felt fulfilled and extremely motivated after completing  my 3.5 miles- 2 walking, 1.5 running. My "runner's high" inspired me to check some things off my to do list, taking a huge load off my shoulders.

"Look at a day when you are supremely satisfied at the end. It's not a day when you lounge around doing nothing; it's when you had everything to do, and you've done it."- Margaret Thatcher

Realizing that being a productive member of society requires a level of motivation your bed or couch can't provide, I have decided to make running part of my daily routine. By day two, my body seemed to remember what running felt like, letting me break through my three mile goal.

I'm aware that motivation alone won't take me there, and that I need to be structured and consistent in order to be successful. However, I know that I must remember my reasons for doing this, specially during those cold winter months when I will look for every excuse to stay in bed. 

With my mind and soul in check, I am ready to start and stick to this..are you?

Halloween, The Aftermath

So it is officially November 1st, and for some reason this date has given me the courage and inspiration to make over my health and lifestyle. I'm mad at myself for even having to start over. I was in such good shape, but after a couple of bingeing episodes (I blame the Halloween candy!) I find myself a few pounds heavier- and it is showing!

Now that Halloween is behind us, I'm confident that I will  be able to stick to the healthy lifestyle I've been obsessing about, but not abiding by, this entire year.   No more couch potato days, no more overeating food I don't even love, and no more ignoring my gym, weight watchers membership, and the scale underneath my bed. I am reinventing myself this November, and hopefully a month from now- as we get closer to the new year- I won't have to make weight loss one of my new years resolutions.

Some Fabulous Fashion Websites

If you're a wannabe fashionista who tends to struggle with pulling together the latest look, fear no more. The internet is full of websites, bloggers, and just people in general who are eager to share their fashion wits. Here are some websites that will help you in your pursuit to fashion perfection:

For inspiration: These websites allow their users to post pictures of their latest looks. Chictopia users usually post where they got each item.

http://www.chictopia.com/

http://lookbook.nu/
http://www.whowhatwear.com/

Life, Unfinished

l can't deny that I'm the ultimate procrastinator. However, I'm proud to say that, although it may take me a long time, I do eventually reach my goals. I created this blog to not only share my journey to a better life, but to also make myself accountable for some of my pending projects:  

Tackling Unfinished Projects

Lowes couldn't have said it better

Are you the type to set impossible goals, only to beat yourself up when not meeting them? These goals may not be impossible or unattainable, but they may require a level of effort supported by a certain degree  of motivation. This degree is highest within the first few minutes of setting your goal, only to decline after a couple of days, weeks, or months of your progress. The lack of desire can be gradual, but in some cases it can be triggered by certain emotions or sudden changes in  your routine.