I looked at the calendar and realized that my race is next month. I will be running a half marathon in just 7 weeks away. WOW. That time has flown by. I feel like it was just yesterday that I was accepted as a Zooma Ambassador. I'm amazed at how quickly the time has passed.
I started a training plan with Nike Run Club. The app requires an eight week minimum training period. I didn't have that much time but I put in the minimum number of weeks and hit GO.
Since I started on a Sunday, I was already at the end of a week. My first workout was a two mile run. It was to be at a comfortable pace. But what defines a comfortable pace? I couldn't wrap my brain around it but I got out there and ran. This was my first run in over two weeks. Even though it was a short run, it got my wheels moving.
It doesn't always matter how you get there. Just have the courage and determination to start. After all, if you don't start, there's no opportunity to finish. I challenge you to get started. Start whenever you are. Walk. Wog. Jog. Run. Do intervals. Sprint. Whatever it takes, get it done. You owe it to yourself.
Once I got that first run in, I was ready for the first official week of my Nike Run Club training plan.
Benchmark Run
"Say what?! What can you figure out in just three minutes?" This was my reaction when Oliver first told me how the Nike Run Club Benchmark Run breaks down the 15 minutes. The benchmark starts with a seven minute warm-up, a three minute sprint, and a five minute cool down. That sounded pretty painful to someone who doesn't warm up before a run or cool down after a run. It definitely felt like a foreign concept but baby, let me tell you. I ran a pretty steady 7 minutes but when I had to increase my speed, not once - not twice - but three times, I could barely make it. The cool down was faster than my warm up but it was a struggle. Those three minutes felt so slow and almost took me out. I was dripping sweat when the 15 minutes was over. Lesson to self: don't underestimate anything you do!
Distance Run
The storm came at just the right now. Since schools and state offices were closed, I had an opportunity to get out in my long run on the scheduled date. I was able to run without restraint. Run without barriers. Run without a rush. My training app set itself to 5 miles. It felt so great to get in real miles after not running for a couple of weeks. I decided to run 2.5 miles out then turn-around. I ran until the pavement ended then re-routed back to my car. As I ran each mile, my average time per mile was decreasing. I knew I putting work in but I didn't feel an ounce of stress. By the end of the run, I had negative splits in my mile times. This run served as my reminder that every run is different. The running conditions are different. My body responds differently on each run. In other words, be patient with yourself and accept the run as it comes.
Recovery Run
I had to peel myself out of bed. The threat of Hurricane Irma taking over the city early afternoon made me get up and get out. As soon as I got to my starting point and got out the car, raindrops started falling. Light rain. No hat. No phone protection. Just me, my headphones, and my worship music. Sometimes, less is more. I had an opportunity to skip the run and stay out of the rain but I made the decision to stay the course. I was scheduled to run 2 easy paced miles. I did just that. I just jogged along in the rain. It was beautiful. Peaceful. I could have used the rain and circumstances as my excuse to skip the run but I made them my reasons instead. There are no excuses when it comes to accomplishing a goal.
This is my first attempt at a training plan. So far so good. Can't wait to see what the next week brings.
- Side note: You can join me and receive a 10% discount by going to zoomarun.com and signing up with code Marquita17.
I started a training plan with Nike Run Club. The app requires an eight week minimum training period. I didn't have that much time but I put in the minimum number of weeks and hit GO.
Since I started on a Sunday, I was already at the end of a week. My first workout was a two mile run. It was to be at a comfortable pace. But what defines a comfortable pace? I couldn't wrap my brain around it but I got out there and ran. This was my first run in over two weeks. Even though it was a short run, it got my wheels moving.
It doesn't always matter how you get there. Just have the courage and determination to start. After all, if you don't start, there's no opportunity to finish. I challenge you to get started. Start whenever you are. Walk. Wog. Jog. Run. Do intervals. Sprint. Whatever it takes, get it done. You owe it to yourself.
Once I got that first run in, I was ready for the first official week of my Nike Run Club training plan.
Benchmark Run
"Say what?! What can you figure out in just three minutes?" This was my reaction when Oliver first told me how the Nike Run Club Benchmark Run breaks down the 15 minutes. The benchmark starts with a seven minute warm-up, a three minute sprint, and a five minute cool down. That sounded pretty painful to someone who doesn't warm up before a run or cool down after a run. It definitely felt like a foreign concept but baby, let me tell you. I ran a pretty steady 7 minutes but when I had to increase my speed, not once - not twice - but three times, I could barely make it. The cool down was faster than my warm up but it was a struggle. Those three minutes felt so slow and almost took me out. I was dripping sweat when the 15 minutes was over. Lesson to self: don't underestimate anything you do!
Distance Run
The storm came at just the right now. Since schools and state offices were closed, I had an opportunity to get out in my long run on the scheduled date. I was able to run without restraint. Run without barriers. Run without a rush. My training app set itself to 5 miles. It felt so great to get in real miles after not running for a couple of weeks. I decided to run 2.5 miles out then turn-around. I ran until the pavement ended then re-routed back to my car. As I ran each mile, my average time per mile was decreasing. I knew I putting work in but I didn't feel an ounce of stress. By the end of the run, I had negative splits in my mile times. This run served as my reminder that every run is different. The running conditions are different. My body responds differently on each run. In other words, be patient with yourself and accept the run as it comes.
Recovery Run
I had to peel myself out of bed. The threat of Hurricane Irma taking over the city early afternoon made me get up and get out. As soon as I got to my starting point and got out the car, raindrops started falling. Light rain. No hat. No phone protection. Just me, my headphones, and my worship music. Sometimes, less is more. I had an opportunity to skip the run and stay out of the rain but I made the decision to stay the course. I was scheduled to run 2 easy paced miles. I did just that. I just jogged along in the rain. It was beautiful. Peaceful. I could have used the rain and circumstances as my excuse to skip the run but I made them my reasons instead. There are no excuses when it comes to accomplishing a goal.
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