The Plan

I’m using Hal Higdon’s 10-K Training Program for Novices (www.halhigdon.com/10ktraining/10knovice.htm), however instead of finishing the program in 8 weeks, I am going to do each week twice and make it last 16 weeks. This will take me up to February and a 10-K I plan on running in Savannah in the Historic District. I also had to adjust the schedule to make it fit my work week. It had runs on Tuesdays originally, and that would be very difficult for me since we work 10 hour days on Tuesdays and I wouldn’t get off until 6:30 PM. I also decided to start at Week 3 since I have been running 4 miles for my long runs for the past few weeks. So this is what my schedule was like last week:

MON: Stretch and Strengthen--I got up at 5:00 AM and did yoga with a DVD and then did 3 sets of 12 reps in my wt. training.

TUE: 35 minutes crosstrain--I deemed it “Taebo Tuesday” and met Billy Blanks in front of the tv at 5:00 AM---it was a killer workout...harder than running!

WED: 2.5 mi run---YAY! It had seemed like FOREVER since I had run on Sunday---got it done in 30 minutes.

THU: Rest---the only off day in the schedule---I felt LAZY but I realize my body needed it to recuperate and rebuild muscle fibers

FRI: 2 mi run and Strengthen---YAY! Had an AWFUL day at work and ended up staying an hour over to tie up all the loose ends so I wouldn’t have to start the week stressed. When I got home, I took my dog, Skeeter, with me and we ran from home up the dirt road, down by the highway, down by the river and back up the dirt road 2 and 1/2 laps. Skeeter is getting better on the leash and we found a good cadence together. I think he enjoyed it as much as I did. When I got back I did 2 sets of 12 reps in my wt. training. I was POOPED!!!

SAT: 50 minutes crosstrain--We spent the weekend at the farm, so I decided to ride my bike from there, down a gravel road and back. It was cold and windy and I felt like I was barely moving against the wind. There were two wild hogs running next to me in a field and then they crossed the gravel road in front of me...that was pretty cool!!! I rode 6.5 miles at the fastest average pace I’ve ever ridden before...7mph!!!

SUN: 4 mi LSR (aka Long Slow Run)--It was cold and windy again this morning. I had a difficult time trying to decide how many layers to wear and I still ended up stripping off my top layer 2 1/2 miles in. It was a good run, although I find it difficult to keep that slow and steady pace. I want to run faster but I know all that does is wear me out and then I’m REALLY exhausted when I get finished. So I just relaxed and enjoyed the beautiful fall colors around me and took my time. It took me 53 minutes.

This schedule worked out good for me this week, so I think I will stick to it. I don’t feel too tired so maybe I won’t burn out on this. Now, my eating....I haven’t eaten really bad this week but it hasn’t been that great either. The main thing is that I am paying attention to what I’m eating and trying to manage my portion sizes. I try to balance out the bad with good stuff. I’m eating more fruits and veggies and less simple carbs. I’ll elaborate on my eating plan in a later blog. When you’re running it is really trial and error trying to figure out if you’re eating enough to keep your energy level up. I have started keeping a food diary again which I also think helps. I’m not getting on the scale for a few weeks because it can take that long for your body to adjust to all this change and the scale will fluctuate. However, I can already tell a change in the way my clothes are fitting after this week, so I know something is happening.