Less than a month to go..

According to the countdown clock on my RunCoach page, I have 22 days and a few hours until my first half marathon. 22 is my lucky number - does that mean today is going to be a good training day (probably, because its a rest day)? Does it mean I shouldn't be panicking? Is it a sign?


Doubt it.

Yes, I'm a pessimistic person in general, but I'm feeling GOOD about the training and about the racing. Last weekend I did my first real "long" run- 10 miles. HOLY CRAP, I survived 10 miles in just under 2 hours. Granted, I ran on the treadmill at the gym (I needed access to hydration!) and the treadmill stopped after 1 hour, forcing me to restart everything and to drop my iPhone onto the moving parts because I lack coordination, but I DID IT. I came home and saw the man and the kids eating lunch outside. I nearly passed out in the grass and one of the kids (who is freakishly strong!) lifted me back up to a seated position. I barely moved for the next 3 hours, but dammit, I did it. BAM!

This week, I'm supposed to do 11 miles. Not going to happen. I tweaked my knee earlier this week, so I'm taking it a bit easy on the running. I did 3.5 miles of speed drills earlier this week in addition to spin (Monday), PT class (Wednesday- boxing!), PT with Amy (core), and I'll do about 5 on Saturday. On Sunday morning, I'm doing the 8K Autumn Classic with Jodi. I figure I'm still getting 3 runs in this week, just less mileage. And next week I'll knock out 11 miles, no problem.

In fact, many training plans for half marathons don't have you going over 10 miles during training. I found that a little odd, but it's better than the 7 miles that RunCoach had me doing. Apparently studies show that the adrenaline will carry you the extra 3 miles. In my case, I'm hoping a hot paramedic will be carrying me the last 3 miles. Or the happy thoughts of a shower and a HUGE breakfast will get me through the end of the race.

I talked to Amy about my worries on losing focus after the half-marathon. We talked about some other goal opportunities, and she suggested that I talk it over with the man as well to make sure he's on board. After all of my discussions, I set up this VERY basic plan for me- 10K in Detroit for Thanksgiving (the man is doing the race with me!), Jingle Belle 5K with Amy in December, train for the Lansing half-marathon held in May, and then train for the Detroit FULL Marathon in October 2014. This is totally achievable, and the training for the half in May fits nicely with the full marathon training. In between the big races, I'll find some smaller 5K and 10K races to do because I always do!

And I noticed this week that... I need new pants. I flashed some crack at the poor lady behind me in Spin class last week (sorry again!) because my pants were too saggy. And my work pants, my beautiful pin-striped work pants, made it look like my legs had no shape! The man, supportive as he is, offered me up use of the Kohl's charge (15% discount + coupons only for charge users) to get a pair of pants or two at a cheaper rate- of course I'd pay him back- but the idea of having to go shopping now, when I'm not at my final goal, is a little nerve wracking.

But I looked at my measurements and numbers- in just over 2 months, I've dropped 18lbs, reduced the fat percentage, gained more muscle, lowered my body age, and gained some curves. I may have to take him up on some new pant after all.