Half-Marathon Training Review: Week 8

Typing the title of this post out just really blew me away...  I am amazed that I've done eight weeks of training for this half already!  I am really proud of myself and how far I've come.  It definitely hasn't been easy, and some days are better than others, but the reward is so very worth it.  Each time I make it up a hill, each time I reach a new distance, each time I run a little faster, the feeling is amazing.  It keeps me going when things get tough.  The rewards are endless.  Also, thank you so much for the support you've given me through this journey! It has meant the world to me.

I set a new PDR this weekend!  8 miles done and done.  It wasn't easy, but I did it!  If you would have told me a year ago that I'd think of five miles as "no big deal," regularly be running three and four milers, and on the weekends be running eight whole miles, I would have laughed in your face.  Especially if you told me that next weekend I'd be tackling nine. ;)

This recap is for Monday, March 5, 2012 through Sunday, March 11, 2012.  If you missed them and are interested, here are my reviews from weeks one, two, three,  four, five, six and seven.  

• Monday- Body works class
• Tuesday- Bikram yoga and a 3m treadmill interval run
• Wednesday- 4.5m run (in 43 minutes!)
• Thursday- 2.98m outdoor run
• Friday- Rest
• Saturday- 8.02m outdoor run (in 1:28)
• Sunday- Rest

This wasn't my favorite training week because I did a poor job balancing my time and ended up missing all of the workouts assigned from boot camp in favor of what I had scheduled.  I also over-did it on Tuesday by trying to run after yoga.  I now know if I want to do yoga at night, a morning run is a must.  You live and you learn!  There were some great things that I am extremely proud of from the past week, including my 8m PDR and my 4.5m run pace.  I worked out for a total of 5.5 hours and ran 18.5 miles.  This week, I hope to get more boot camp workouts in along with my scheduled runs and the classes I want to take (Body works & yoga again).  We shall see how it goes!  Time management is going to be key.

I've got to say... I really never thought I'd be a runner.  Now, I really am one.  That's right. I said it.  I'm a runner.  It has taken time, commitment, consistency and perseverance to get me this far.  It didn't happen overnight, and I've worked really hard to get here.  I think it is important to remember that not everyone can just lace up a pair of kicks, head out the door and run eight miles.  Sure, some folks can, but there are other mortals out there like me that have to build up to these kinds of distances.  Heck, I even had to build up to running one mile straight!  We all start somewhere, so I just wanted to say, don't give up if you're just starting out. 

Along with my eight mile PDR, I had a really great weekend.  The boyman and I went to Urban Pl8 for dinner Friday night which was really delicious.  I had the veggie burger and the salsa they garnish it with was probably my favorite part!  After dinner, we stopped by a birthday party for one of Jesse's work friends.  Then, we came home and watched a movie because we are old.  Simple nights are my favorites.

Saturday was my long run, and afterwards I went down to my lake house to visit my parents.  We spent some quality time together, and I helped my mom with some computer questions (she is switching from PC to Mac) and helped my dad build part of a table he is making to hold his new Big Green Egg!  It was so much fun!  I was sad when I had to leave on Sunday, but Dad send me home with some gorgeous flowers he grew that kept a smile on my face.

Aren't they breathtaking?  Spring has sprung!  Every time I look at them, I think about how talented he is in the garden.  He keeps our lake house grounds looks incredible.  I wish I had a green thumb like him!

Daylight savings has thrown me off a little, but I am so excited for the extra hour of sunlight I'll have tonight after work.  I don't get much done in the mornings, so it will be nice to have some extra daylight!  I've got plans to meet up with a couple of friends this week as well as my regular workout schedule plus some extra workouts incorporated from boot camp.  Yet another week of healthy living to look forward to!

What are you doing this week to live healthily? 
Are you talented in the garden?  

PS- I think it is pretty awesome that I reached 8 miles in my 8th week of training, don't you?  You know I love stuff like that!