I always knew that Nike made more than just athletic gear, but they’ve really turned it up notch — hello wedge sneakers! These are just a few of my favorite items that aren’t necessarily running-related, but more casual wear that I just had to share because they are seriously cool (all available at Nike.com).
Anyway, I thought it was a good time for an update on my half marathon training for the Nike Women Half Marathon in Washington DC. You may have read this post about why I’m running a half marathon. Honestly, that is probably the only way I would have ever ran a half-marathon (unless my husband really wanted to do one together in some exotic place with a vacation tacked on to it, he could probably have convinced me — heck maybe we’ll do that at some point). He is training with me on the weekends for my long runs which is SUPER helpful to me. I need him there pushing me to keep going, keep me accountable and motivated.
Yesterday we ran 6 miles. Probably the longest I’ve ever ran in my adult life (I don’t think Jr. High track counts considering it was over HALF OF MY LIFE AGO.) Wow, that was a long time… I even remember the Nike running shoes (interesting coincidence no?) I had at the time, they were white and turquoise. It’s funny to think about the things I remember from 15+ years ago compared to the things my husband remembers… I know what brands of clothes I had, what I was wearing at certain events, where I got those items, specific spreads in Seventeen with Drew Barrymore and Hard Candy nail polish and daisies. I might even still have that tear sheet, no joke.
Middle school tangent. Back to running. Right, so yesterday I ran 6 miles. I was really hoping it was going to be a glorious run. My husband suggested that we should go run on the Capital Crescent Trail along the Potomac — it’s flat, and a change up in scenery from the sidewalk running we’ve been doing. Perfect, I thought. But for some reason I was just uncomfortable the entire run. Breathing is a huge problem for me so I’m constantly concentrating on it (I have issues breathing deeply). I also get side stitches that I’ve been working on, this run I was on the verge of getting one most of the run but it never came into full force. I also get tense in my shoulders and have to constantly remind myself to relax. And if I’m not listening to music I about drive myself nuts thinking the same things over and over:
I wonder if I had enough to eat?
Is this side stitch going to get worse?
Wow, it feels like I’m running slow.
Breathe deep — in the nose, out the mouth.
I wonder how many miles I have left (choosing not to look at my Nike GPS watch which will tell me anything I want to know).
Next time I should eat more before I run.
Relax your shoulders.
I feel like this should be easier.
I feel like I should feel lighter.
Relax your jaw.
I feel like I have a bunch of crap in my lungs.
Repeat.
When I have music on then all I’m thinking is:
Breathe deep — in the nose, out the mouth.
Relax your shoulders.
Relax your jaw.
Sexy legs.
Repeat.
My Mr. thinks I need to fight through my silent crazy mental state to get stronger (mentally). But I about lost it 4 miles into this run and had to stop and put my music on. I was done fighting and just wanted to finish this run. I was sad I didn’t enjoy it more because it was a gorgeous day, running with my Mr. on the trail. I know someday I’ll get to the part where I enjoy it. I am starting to enjoy the shorter runs, so that’s a step in the right direction.
I wonder if for these long runs I’m psyching myself up to not enjoy them? I didn’t think I was doing that this week because I had a great 4-mile run on Thursday that gave me some confidence for 6 miles. Who knows.
I’ve been training for about 4 weeks, and I have 7 more weeks until the race. (Yikes!). But I do feel like with the training (and sticking to it religiously) that I will be able to do the half marathon in a decent time for a first-timer. The one good thing about this 6-mile run was that I thought I was running a lot slower than I really was. So when I took a look into my pace (using my nifty Nike GPS watch and Nike+), I was surprised and happy. My pace has gone down by more than 1 minute in just 2 weeks for my longer runs! Maybe that has a little to do with the weather being 15 degrees warmer as well, but still, that makes me feel like I will continue to get better and better — and hopefully one day enjoy the longer runs.
My Training Schedule
- 1x/week I do (what I call) intervals. I go up to the track at the University in my area and run 1 lap at a fast pace (timing it), then rest a minute or two (until my heart calms down & I’m recovered). And I do that 8 times, so I’ll have run 2 miles total at a faster pace than what I typically run. I usually jog to and from the track, so I end up running about 3 miles that day.
- 2x/week I do shorter runs, they are either 2, 3 or 4 miles.
- 1x/week (usually on Saturday) I do my longer runs, adding a mile each time.
- And the days in between I do yoga, or nothing.
What I’ve Learned So Far
- Shoes. Shoes. Shoes. Are so important. If you are training for something long, you need the right shoes. Go to Nike and they will have you run on a treadmill to see what type of shoe you need. They are looking to see if you pronate or not and therefore to see if you need a stability shoe or a neutral shoe. I slightly pronate, and opted for the Nike LunarGlide+4 and I could not be happier. They are so light and comfortable — I’m loving them.
- Push yourself. Do you watch The Biggest Loser? Maybe you should if you need motivation. Bob, Dolvett, and Jillian make the contestants run all the time and you can too. You just have to PUSH yourself. Tell yourself, I AM going to do this, not well we’ll see if I can but I bet I’ll have to walk. There are lots of times when I just want to stop and walk. In the beginning I did more than I do now, but make it your goal to NOT stop if at all possible. Don’t let yourself have excuses. Maybe even reward yourself if you can make it. Our bodies can do so much more than we think, you just have to push.
- Keep your toenails short. I know, this is a weird one. I always keep my nails painted so I didn’t realize they could be a bit hazardous and take a little chunk out of my toe. Lesson learned.
- Eat potassium. I think this and the timing of when I eat and how much, has really made a huge difference in my side stitches. I mean, I was getting them really bad. Where I absolutely had to stop and walk. I’ve been able to cut them down a lot by just paying attention to what I eat, when, how much, and making sure I stay hydrated. Staying hydrated has never been a problem for me though because I love water.
- Nike GPS watch. I know I mentioned my Nike GPS watch before, but it’s a bit addicting. As soon as I get back from my run I plug it into my computer (the watch as a USB in it!) and assess how I did. It shows you your pace at all times, the elevation of where you ran, how far, compares it to your other runs, and keeps a log of all your runs. It’s just amazing. I can go back and look at how much faster I’m getting (take the word fast with a grain of salt).
The response to my first post was amazing. So many of you are runners and I am so thankful for all of your advice! I read it all and took it all into account!
Are you training for anything?
Any good running stories for me?
Also, what type of water pack do you recommend? I’ve seen ones around the hips, the backpack version, the ones you have on your hand — anyone have a favorite?
*Nike is sponsoring me to run the DC Women’s Half Marathon. This is not a sponsored post. All opinions are my own.
Haha, Meg, you are not alone in thinking the same things over and over. I definitely do the same. But that’s why I train with a running group. It provides enough distraction (and I don’t necessarily have to carry on a conversation if I don’t want to) that I am not punishing myself with my thoughts, haha.
What headphones do you use? I don’t run with music because I have yet to find earbuds that will stay in my ears while running
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I use the typical apple earbuds, but so far I’ve been wearing an ear warmer thing so that keeps them in my ears.
I’m not brave enough to run with a group, I feel like I’d be slow or something. And I don’t know HOW people carry on conversations while running… I am SO not there yet. I’m still trying to breathe deeply!
Hi Phoebe – just wanted to mention that I have the same problem with earbuds not staying in my ears. I have used these Sony headphones for about 10 years (not kidding) and am really happy they are still selling them – and you can’t beat the price. http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00005N6KG/ref=oh_details_o01_s01_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1.
Have any recs for a good walking shoe? The thought of trying to run/jog these days scares me. lol
This post totally has me motivated to stay more active!
Hmm, I’m sure it would be the same. They can fit you down at Nike in Georgetown for the right one. It makes such a big difference!
Oh, and PS, you are so young, stay active now so you aren’t playing catchup like me!
I’m training for a half marathon right now, too- this week starts my last 4 weeks until the race. This week and next are the hardest training of all, and then the final two weeks I taper down (I’m SOO looking forward to those two weeks!!)
I’ve been finding it really hard to get motivated because of the weather and not running outside (i’m in the midwest). I’ve done a lot of running on the treadmill, and today was planning to run outside, but it rained the entire day. I was supposed to run 10 miles- I’ve never ran that far but was looking forward to it.
Good luck with your training, just keep at it. There have been days that I just could.not.do.it, and some times I forced myself, and a couple of days I just changed up my running days . As long as I got in the mileage for the week, I didn’t bother with what days I ran it on.
Sorry for the long tangent…good luck with everything! Shoes really do matter, you’re so right. And the toe nail thing- so true! haha
I really want to make sure that if I change up my days due to weather (which I’ve done) that I don’t miss a day and I continue to run the same amount of days because I feel like any time I miss 1 easy run, the longer run is harder.
The weather has been brutal. I’ve ran in the cooooold and rain because I didn’t want to have any excuses. I mean pouring is a different story, but rain, eh. I’m wet from sweat anyway!
Good luck! I’m interested to see how my long runs go! :/
I loved reading this post. My husband and I are training for Touch Mudder, and we’ve just started running longer distances. I also felt like I was running super slow, but according to our GPS watch we had shaved off 2 minutes from our time in a week. Good luck with your training and I love reading your blog!
Thanks Ann! I tell you, that GPS watch has been amazing!
Thanks for all of the great advice! I recently signed up for my first 10k – definitely not as ambitious as a half-marathon, but it’s still been a good practice in discipline to put in four- or five-mile runs on weeknights; perhaps next time around, I’ll go for the whole half-marathon!
I think just starting somewhere is great! Not gonna lie, wouldn’t mind if this was a 10k… but it’s a good challenge!
Good luck!
I ran a marathon with my daughter a few years ago, we both came in first (in our age groups!)
The one thing that I underestimated was how people who I did not even know cheered for me.
That was such an amazing thing that motivated me. I am starting again and found an inspiring running motivational read. I think running is something that no one can understand until you run a marathon. I loved Forrest Gump and how he just ran, and ran and ran. Then one day he stopped.
Running is like that.
pve
WOW — a full marathon & you both came in 1st, that is awesome! Did you find a running book or something? What is it? A marathon is something entirely different than a half… I don’t know if I can handle it!
Other people have told me they were so sick of running after training that they stopped for a few months, so I can totally see that!
i ran my first half about a year and a half ago…get ready for feeling like the biggest rockstar when you cross that finish line. the feeling is unlike any other! #ROCKSTAR!
I’ll keep that hashtag in mind while running & channel my inner rockstar! ###
Loved this post! I think it’s really inspiring what you’re doing. As far as music, I have to have my music on to keep my cadence level. The beat really helps me keep a steady speed. And as far as your side stitches, I’ve found that if I eat carbs or anything that has a lot of fiber a few hours before my run, I’ll get side stitches. I know you’re supposed to carb up for energy purposes, but it just doesn’t help me to have that mass in my stomach. Just a thought! Good luck and keep it up lady!
Good to know, because I was just thinking on my run this morning, maybe I needed more fiber before I ran… I’ll have to keep testing. Today I had a banana & a bit of coconut water and still got a mild stitch :/ grrrr.
Good for you for doing this, anything hard is worth doing. Love the black Nikes, I need a new pair!
I like that saying “anything hard is worth doing” — it also goes with the book I’m reading right now, Wild by Cheryl Strayed. All inspiring!
Keep up the good work!
I have been a short and middle distance runner through college and am running my first 1/2 marathon this coming weekend. Talk about nerves!
It will be the longest I have ran consecutively in my life… ever.
I hope that you stay motivated until and after the DC Womens Half, and maybe I will see you there (fingers crossed for being chosen in Nike’s last minute lottery)
The best thing to do is keep a training schedule, your local Nike store run club will assist you in your efforts for sure. Also, do something, each day youre supposed to run, even when you don’t feel like running (there are no excuses in running). Just get out there, and soon enough 10 minutes jogging turns into your fully intended workout and you feel awesome once you’re done.
all the best!
Y
If you get into the Nike Half, I’m sure you’ll whiz by me! Ha! Good luck on the one this weekend!
I have to say I really admire you for running and sticking with it! I am NOT a runner. At all. The things running through your head without music is usually what’s running through mine when I try and run, and nothing shuts the voice in my head out. I think it’s only happened ONCE that my brain just quieted and I just ran and it was glorious. And that was about…5-6 years ago. Yeah. I’m just not a runner. My point being – I really admire people who are, and you even more for just sticking with it! Good luck with your training and with the half marathon!!
Seriously I said the EXACT same things you are. I’m not a runner. I hate running (I still don’t love it). But then about once a week I’ll have a great experience that keeps me motivated and hopeful that at one point I’ll enjoy it and then become one of those annoying people who is like, “oh I looooove running.” I want to join that club.
dude. music is a deal-breaker. it’s almost like cheating with how much easier it makes things. so proud of you for doing this!!!! (so is Baby Reed)
Hi Meg – good luck with the training! I am training for a triathlon right now and did the same last year. There are days where you just want to throw in the towel (like when I’m dog paddling a mile in the freezing ocean), but what an amazing feeling when you get to the finish line!! Plus you get bragging rights for life.
Looking forward to the next update!
-Denise
Good for you Meg! I ran my first half marathon this past fall – it takes a lot of hard work, but you are going to feel so amazing when you cross that finish line! I honestly felt like I could do absolutely anything after knocking that goal off of my list. Good luck with your training!
Thanks Amanda!
I took the plunge on that GPS watch – can’t wait to start using it! When I started doing long races, I found that I NEEDED music, and running each mile with a song on repeat actually helped me. I think I ran my first half marathon with Lady Gaga’s “Just Dance” on repeat for the first 6 miles. Anytime you start running longer distances will be tough at first, but you’ll get hooked.
Seriously, it’s so awesome. I LOVE it. I need to add some songs to my run playlist!
Yay for you! I started running 7 years ago because I was poor and couldn’t afford the gym. My life has totally changed! I am part of a group of 5-8 gals that run together (I live in a small town of 50,000…there are no “running groups” here. I definitely recommend finding some friends who are at your same level and convincing them to run with you. If they are at similar levels as you, they won’t care if you have to stop to walk, or whatever. These women have become my very best friends, for life. There’s nothing quite like working really physically hard at something, with someone, that makes you fast friends.
I have also found that even those “hard core” runners who offer to go for a wun with you are totally serious. They wouldn’t offer if they didn’t know that they were you at one time and having someone along with you is so very helpful and encouraging. They KNOW you will be slower than they are, and some of them (us) need those slower, more relaxed runs and can’t get them done on their own. Take someone up…just one time. I promise you will be ok. Plus also, while you are listening to them talking, you won’t notice your breathing or your side-stich nearly as much. I even have one ear bud in and the other out. This way I can still hear them talking but have the distraction of the music so as I don’t have to listen to my breathing.
Our group is currently training for our 5th half marathon in as many years. we don’t commit to running together during the actual event, but sometimes end up doing just that. We have done so many other things as well…trail runs, triathlons, etc. It is so good fo all of us to have that something that we have acomplished on our own and are proud of. This calendar year we will do 2 half marathons! We haven’t taken the leap to the full marathon yet, but I suspect we will in a year or two!
As far as water goes, I HATE carrying water with me. Because we live in a relatively small town, it’s fairly easy to plant water in certain places on the long run route that we plan. The other thing we do is intentionally go by a convenience store (or even a mcdonalds) and get a quick drink there and use the bathroom if it is necesary (and it has become increasingly necessary the older we get, and farther we run!)
We have made it a point to plan to do our long runs together. We all start and end at the same place…usually a coffee shop so we can reward ourselves at the end. It is a great incentive. Again, we don’t all run “together” during these. Sometimes it works out that several are at the same pace, but it is never required to be next to someone.
I think I could go on and on…but I won’t. I learned of you from Jessie at Style and Pepper, and I read your blog and have bought both the Evolve and Lover shirts so far! I LOVE them. I’m excited for you and your running adventure(s). Don’t give up! the changes to your body will be well worth it! Remember, it is simply mind over matter. you obviously have a strong mind, it can overcome anything physical…just tell yourself so!
Oh my gosh, thank you so much Amanda! I love this long comment
A running group definitely sounds fun. Nike actually offers it out of their store in Georgetown and I should probably take them up on it.
Sounds like such a fun group! Hope I can have that someday!
xo
Hello!
I am training for the same race! I am so excited as it will be my first Half Marathon!
I am running with the Team in Training Program with the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society!
If you care to donate please use this link:
http://pages.teamintraining.org/noh/nikewhlf13/runningforthecure
Any donation will help. All proceeds go to cancer research!
If you do not wish to donate could you please spread the word!
Thank You So Much!
Hi, love your post! I am training for this marathon too, it will be my first … somewhat scary but think it will be totally worth it. Completed 10 miles with my 14 year old son two weeks ago, it was great! I definitely plan on looking into the nike pace watch and you are so right about the shoes. Keep up the great work & good luck!
Hi, I adore the grey and black sweatshirt in the upper right corner. Do you have any additional info on it — style #, name? Many thanks in advance.
If it’s not on the NIKE site anymore then it’s probably older. Sorry!