Let the half marathon training begin

So our training for our 13.1 mile run on May 4th started this week.  I have to say I am super excited and ready to get back into running.  I haven't done much since November.  It's amazing how out of shape you can get in two months!!!  At this point in the game I am not sure how in the heck I am going to complete 13.1 miles...............BUT........ I know I will.  My will and determination will persevere any fears and nerves that I have.  Pretty much once I get my mind set on something, I make it happen.  I prefer to make it over the finish line on my own two feet but if I have to scoot, army crawl, hop, wobble or baby crawl........ I will make it to that finish line ; ) 

I would love to finish the race around 2 1/2 hours but I would be ok with 2:45.  I am there to have fun and take it all in but I do want to have a goal time.  If I don't get my goal time, I will still be ok with that as long as I finish.  I just thought to help me stay motivated throughout the race I could have a goal time in mind. 

Here is our training schedule for the next 12 weeks:

As excited as I am, I am a little stressed about finding the time to do this and still spend "quality" time with Olivia.  I mean we already work 40 hours a week, have 2 hour commutes everyday and don't have time to keep up with laundry, cleaning, cooking etc.  It makes it even more tough that we are both doing this training schedule.  I mean the only real rest day is Friday.  Monday's don't seem too time consuming but the rest of the days will be.  I keep telling myself it's only 12 weeks and we will all survive and that Olivia won't all of the sudden turn into an neglected child ; )  She may only be 4 but she knows how much we love her and she knows how important running is to me.  She knows that I run for Dewayne.  We will get through these 12 weeks.

Since starting running in April 2012 I have met goals I have never thought were possible.  First of all the fact that I am still running almost a year later is impressive to me.  The first mile I did I had to walk most of it because I could barely run 1/8 of a mile without passing out.  That first mile I did took me 14 minutes.  Throughout the summer I averaged about 11 minute miles.  Still not great but that was ok.  In November I hit 9:27 minute miles.  I mean I never in a million years thought I could do that in 2 years let alone 8 months.  My goal since day one has been to get in the 8 minute mile.  I will even be fine with 8:59. lol  I just want to get in the 8 minute category.  That is my running goal for this year.  I am keeping a positive attitude and outlook that I will at least once this year run a mile at 8:59 or better. 

Here are some little inspiring and funny running motivators that make me smile   ; )

Love this one.  I smile and giggle every time ; )

“It's very hard in the beginning to understand that the whole idea is not


to beat the other runners. Eventually you learn that the competition is

against the little voice inside you that wants you to quit.”

― George Sheehan


Well wish us luck the next 12 weeks.  I know we can do it and I look forward to every minute of it.  Hopefully all our hard work will pay off. 

Well I am out out of here, about to go run my first 3 miles of my training program ; )