After finishing my 10k race in June, I thought to myself, “Wow, I could never do a half marathon.” Perhaps it was my exhaustion from running up hills of  the Presidio; but I never thought I’d be able to train hard enough to survive running more than what I had just accomplished.
This year, I have been all about challenging myself and striving to do things out of my comfort zone. Why couldn’t I run 13.1 miles?? Running 6.3 was a big enough deal so what’s 6 more? I took a couple months to train, accidentally straining my knee 3 weeks before the race. Which worried me. I took a week off from running and ended my training at 10 miles the following week. It was all my body would allow me to do. The last couple of miles are all based on adrenaline anyway, right?

The morning of the race, I was very excited to finally run my first half marathon. Something I never thought I’d do and wish to accomplish in life. Before this year, I could barely run 2 miles straight. I can proudly say that throughout the entire race I was not one bit tired. I’ve learned to run at my own pace, never running faster than my capabilities. The race itself was unbelievable. So many spectators standing on the street cheering on the thousands of runners that pass them by. High school cheerleaders, bands, volunteers… just amazing. A half marathon I would recommend to everyone.
Throughout the race I was feeling amazing, but by mile 8 my knee started to bother me. I of course ignored it and kept running. By mile 12, my knee was throbbing in pain. The most frustrating thing is to feel capable of running the entire distance with no loss of breath but your body stands it’s ground. That last mile, I was walking/stretching/jogging but once I saw that finish line, I sprinted to the end. You can say I have been beyond sore these last couple days.
So proud to have accomplished this distance and excited to prepare for my next one!

My training schedule:

Week	Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday	Saturday	Sunday
1	Rest	2 mi	Rest	2.5 mi	Rest	3 mi	20-30 min EZ run or cross-train
2	Rest	2 miles	Rest	3 mi	CT or Rest	4 mi	20-30 min EZ run or cross-train
3	Rest	2.5 mi	CT	3 mi	Rest	5 mi	20-30 min EZ run or cross-train
4	Rest	3 mi	CT	4 mi	Rest	6 mi	20-30 min EZ run or cross-train
5	Rest	3 mi	CT	3 mi	Rest	7 mi	30 min EZ run or cross-train
6	Rest	4 mi	CT	4 mi	Rest	8 mi	30 min EZ run or cross-train
7	Rest	4 mi	Rest	4 mi	CT	9 mi	30 min EZ run or cross-train
8	Rest	4 mi	CT	3 mi	Rest	10 mi	30 min EZ run or cross-train
9	Rest	5 mi	CT	4 mi	Rest	11 mi	Rest
10	30 min EZ run or cross-train	4 mi	Rest	3 mi	CT	12 mi	30 min EZ run or cross-train
11	Rest	CT	Rest	3 mi	CT	5 mi	30 min EZ run or cross-train
12	Rest	2 mi	20 minutes	Rest	20 minutes	Race Day!	Rest Day!

My playlist:

Funk Soul Brother- Fatboy Slim

Rock n Roll- Skrillex

Cinema- Skrillex

Hot right now- Rita Ora

One More Night- Maroon 5

Country Girl- Luke Bryan

Diamonds- Rhianna

Marry the Night- Lady Gaga

The Edge of Glory- Lady Gaga

As long as you love me- Justin Bieber

Fighter- Christina Aguilera

Howlin’ for You- The Black Keys

Talk that Talk- Rhianna

In for the Kill- Skrillex 

Shake it Out- Florence and the Machine

Somebody I used to know remix- Goyte

Beat the Devil’s Tattoo- Black rebel motorcycle club

Crave You- Flight Facilities

Sweet Disposition- The Temper Trap

Turn up the music- Chris Brown

Starships- Nicki Minaj

Take Over Control- Afrojack

Til the World Ends- Britney Spears

3- Britney Spears

Bounce- Calvin Harris

You used to Hold Me- Calvin Harris

Call Me Maybe- Carly Rae Jepsen

You’ve Got the Love- Candi Staton

Finally- Ce Ce Peniston

Titanium- David Guetta

June 2012 10k – October 2012 Half Marathon

 

  Fall/Winter To-Do List

1. Do a Half Marathon

2. Do a cleanse

3. Take a random day trip someplace I have never been

4. Attempt to learn another language for next year’s Europe trip (Spanish/French)

5. Scrapbook wedding festivities

6. Learn Lightroom/Photoshop

7. Horseback ride with JJ

8. Switch from coffee to tea

9. Purchase a bike

10. Take a random class/groupon

xo!