The verdict is in...

I love 'em! Screw shoes=best idea ever. Fast, cheap, and solid traction, it's a winning combination. I was really hesitant at first, taking little baby strides on the icy patches, but when I realized they worked like champs, it was back to the usual. I actually wanted to run on the icier patches instead of the deeper snow, it was easier on the ice. I loved that they are a part of the shoe, and I felt all B.A. putting the screws in with the power drill today. Yes, I am indeed cheesy like that. I did my 3 miles for the day it took a little less than 37 minutes, not my fastest, but considering I was dealing with snow and hills, I'm happy with it. :) It's about the miles anyhow, and just getting this done, not the time. This time anyway...

Do you like to do it yourself?

Quick, name that movie! 40 Year Old Virgin of course. :) So, upon further research, joining a health club for their indoor running facilities is now out of the question. I learned through more research that you have to join for a whole year, and generally can't just join for, oh 3 months or so. Boo to that! And silly me for waiting until the last minute to discover it. Given this unfortunate news, coupled with the fact that tomorrow, I have to run 3 miles, outdoors, through our neighborhood of un-shoveled sidewalks, I frantically started researching on the internet for "strap on" stabilizers and such so that I wouldn't die on my hilly running route tomorrow. The reviews were mixed, the products were many. And honestly the ones I was more interested in, it looked like I was going to have to order online. I don't have time to wait for them to get here, and then, sweet salvation. A "do it yourself" option, wait for it.... Screw shoes!

Sheet metal screws are cheap, we already have a power drill, and I do have a pair of older running shoes to experiment with. Tomorrow after a quick jaunt to the ol' hardware store, it's on. I'll post some pics with my results. I'm a little nervous to be drilling into my shoes, but since it's my old pair I feel a little bit of comfort.

And check that out, a never seen before, two posts in one day phenomenon! Woot!

And so it begins...

Today marks my "official" start of training for the half, though I've been working out off and on and heading out on the pavement when I can, from here on out the schedule starts. This morning was pretty easy, it was a nice strength and stretch day, so it honestly felt a little like I was cheating...ah well. I'm sure as the weeks go on, I'll LOVE Mondays and the bit of a "break" the give me.

If anyone is wondering what training plan I'm following, I'm actually doing a mixture of a couple I found. I was going to follow Hal Higdon's plan to the tee, but I really wanted to do a long run of at least 12 miles, so I've played around with the Sunday mileages and think I'm happy with it. The most miles I have myself adding a week are 2, and most weeks it's only a mile. I dropped the 5K and 10K race, if I can find one that fits in with my training schedule, I'll go for it, but if not, no biggie. :)

If any readers have advice for me, I'd love to hear it. I'm fairly new to this whole thing and one can never have enough knowledge.

Dashing through the snow...

So...running in the winter...with hills. Pretty exciting stuff. Okay so not really, I've made it out a couple of times. Haven't fallen...yet, and I've really enjoyed it. The times I went out though, sidewalks were clear and there wasn't much ice. But since I'm sure the "best" of winter is yet to come, the executive decision came down...I'm joining the Y. If I'm going to give this half my best shot, I want to go in fully prepared. I want to hit each training run, and not pass it up due to icy, snowy conditions. I feel a big sigh of relief at making this decision, it's been adding to my stress levels lately, the worry of not being able to get each run in and for now, I think it's the thing that makes the most sense. Sure running laps around an indoor track won't be the most exciting thing ever, but I will be running. :) If outdoor conditions are favorable, I'll go outside, but having the flexibility makes me feel more in control which is a nice feeling. So one week from today, Monday the 21st officially kicks off "training." Wish me luck!

Turkeyman Turkey Trot

What better way to spend a bright and early Thanksgiving Day morning than outside, in 40-degree temperatures running with a thousand other crazies? On Thursday, I ran my second “race,” and it was great. I love the feeling after finishing, even though it’s only 3.1 miles; it just feels like such an accomplishment. The course went through downtown Lansing streets, past the capitol Christmas tree, the rain held off and it was awesome. I ran with a friend and her husband and it was nice to have someone to chat with through the course. Rex was the gracious “stuff” holder and honorary picture taker; he’s such an awesome guy. I’m so lucky and thankful to have him. Who else would get up at 7:30, drive me in, stand in the freezing cold and cheer me on? Well, besides my parents that is. ☺ They came out to cheer us on too, all in all a fun little race, I’m already looking forward to next year…

Time: 33 minutes, 14 seconds

Sunday Run-day

On Sundays it's my one outdoor run of the week, well for now. I know I have to kick it into gear and start adding another one or two in soon, but for now, Sunday it is. Lucky for me, I can con Rex into going with me. We've been gradually adding on 5 minutes to our time each week, but we're getting to the point where I can't con him into going with me anymore if I keep adding time. Last week we did 35 minutes, our usual game plan is run 2 minutes, walk a minute, repeat 'til the time is up. Since he was not having any of my "let's go for 40 minutes" rah rah..I decided it was time for me to suck it up and ease into non-stop running, with loops and retracing of my steps to keep time with him.

So on this brisk fall morning we went for 30 minutes, he kept the 2 minute/1 minute pace, I did 30 minutes non-stop. My legs are sore, already. They usually are okay until the following day...I'm worried for tomorrow. I think the kicker was trying to keep pace with him on the 2 minutes he was running, his fresh legs made me kick up my pace to match his. Which is good. :)

Overall running stats from the Nike+
Run time: 30:39
Distance: 3.56 miles
Average Pace: 8:34

(I haven't calibrated my new sensor yet, and last time I did, it was showing .1 of a mile more, so I subtract .1 for each mile I go, making it more like 3.2 miles, and I dunno what that would put the pace at, definitely no where close to an eight and a half minute mile is all I know!)

And just for fun data facts...here are the last couple of Sunday stats, I recalculated the distances to account for the non-calibrated sensor, and left pace alone.

Nov. 8th
Run/Walk Time: 35:04
Distance: 3.1 miles
Average Pace: 10:14

Nov.1st
Run/Walk Time:30:03
Distance:2.7 miles
Average Pace: 9:56

Dallas Rock n' Roll Half Marathon...

I took the plunge and signed up, now I've got to figure out a plan of attack...anyone want to be my running buddy? More details to follow after I wrap my mind around running 13.1 miles straight...