Runner Girl is Back!

So I have officially ended my break from running.  I have just missed it too much to wait any longer so I will try to run somewhere between 15-20 miles each week leading up to January 31st.  At that point I will begin my 18 week training plan to prepare for my very first marathon!  I decided to run the North Olympic Discovery Marathon on June 5th 2011.  This particular race makes the most sense to me for a variety of reasons.

I think the part I like best is running the same race from my New Year's resolution last year- only doubling it!  I also love the location, it is very pretty and peaceful up in the Sequim/Port Angeles area.  The weather is guaranteed to be mild, the race is well organized with tons of awesome volunteers.  And I have at least two friends who will be running the half version with me, so that is an added bonus.  I am going to attempt to recruit a few more, so we will see what happens.   If you are even slightly interested in joining me (running or cheering me on!) here is the website- www.nodm.com

I have decided to follow the Hal Higdon training plan for my marathon.  Right now I am reading his book Marathon: The Ultimate Training Guide and it is very interesting and informative.  He is in his 80's and still running marathons- that is amazing!  It is an 18 week program so that means it will officially start on January 31st for me.  I am so excited, I cannot wait to be back on a training plan.  I know, what is wrong with me right?  I am just one of those people who need a PLAN!  Tell me what to do, then I will go do it- it makes my life so much easier.  And there is just something so satisfying about saying "I'm training for a marathon" to people!

I ran for 40 minutes in my VFF's today on my treadmill.  I ran slowly on purpose, I just don't want to do too much too fast and end up in the same boat as before (injured).  But I still expected it to be somewhat difficult to run for that long- that maybe I would feel out of breathe or something like when I very first started running.  But nope, it was like I had never stopped, I didn't even break out in a sweat from the pace I made myself keep (10:30 or so).  I should know myself better than that, I sprint up and down the soccer field every Friday and feel good doing that.  It is so true what they say about it being a mental game! 

I attached my Nike+ sensor to the top of the shoe with a velcro strap I bought and it seemed to work great at picking up my pace.  I decided to continue with the Nike+ for now since it is my only option but also because I want to complete my first full year of running with it so I can have all of my data in one spot.  January 14th, 2011 will mark my one year anniversary of running, and what an amazing year it has been!  Life changing- I have seriously become a different person.  Running long distances has taught me things about myself I never knew I was capable of.  I am so excited for the next leg of my journey to begin!  Runner Girl is BACK!!!!