Month: April 2018

Last fall, right after finishing up the Des Moines Half Marathon (my all-time half PR), I signed up for my annual first half marathon of the year because it was half price for a day. This race is usually COLD and RAINY and is always hilly! But because of the price, I figured why not – because I could always switch to the 10K if the weather was terrible (like always).

This spring has not been kind in the way of weather. I have run outside only 3-4 times in the last 6 weeks, trying to get ready for this half marathon. It just wasn’t happening, and running long runs on the treadmill is a special type of torture. So, the furthest I ran at one time in the last 6 weeks was 8.25 miles. Every other training run was on-par and ahead of last year’s training paces, but those long runs just weren’t getting done.

I really wanted to switch to the 10K, but… the weather was looking to be great. So, given I have another half in 2 weeks, I stuck it out and didn’t switch (those who know me well knew the entire time that I wouldn’t make the switch because I’m just not capable of giving in).

I went into this half knowing that I would not beat last year’s time (my PR for this particular half marathon) and would likely not beat my 2016 time, and I did not care. I was viewing it as a training run and that was all.

I’ve never gone to a half marathon so calm in my life!!! I was so relaxed and, truly, so unprepared that my husband had to remind me to take my race bib. I got to the start line without even having my music ready to go, which is just not normal for me. I crossed the start and just locked in at a 9:17 pace and ran.

About 2 miles in, my random running playlist played, “The Gambler,” by Kenny Rogers. It spoke to me, especially this part:

Every gambler knows
That the secret to survivin’
Is knowin’ what to throw away
And knowin’ what to keep
‘Cause every hand’s a winner
And every hand’s a loser
And the best that you can hope for is to die
in your sleep

You’ve got to know what to throw away, and what to keep. I went into this one knowing that it was a throw-away – it wasn’t going to be a PR for this course and I did not care. Because of that, the race became a winner!

I’m pretty happy! To start the year faster than 2016, even with all of the failed training long runs (4 of them!), is pretty encouraging. My percentages are pretty close to last year’s, and way better than in 2016, so I’m encouraged and looking forward to the rest of the season!

This year’s race stats are (2018):

• 589/1,113 Overall (52.92%)
• 186/492 Women (37.8%)
• 27/76 Division (35.53%)
• Finish Time 2:02:47 = 9:23 Avg Pace

Last year’s race stats are (2017):

• 429/857 Overall (50.06%)
• 128/381 Women (33.6%)
• 18/46 Division (39.13%)
• Finish Time 1:59:09 = 9:05 Avg Pace

2016’s race stats are (2016):

• 489/864 Overall (56.6%)
• 186/422 Women (44%)
• 30/59 Division (50.8%)
• Finish Time 2:04:18 = 9:30 Avg Pace

Week 1 Statistics (Ending 04/20/2018)

• Weight (157.0 last week): 155.6 pounds
  • Lost 1.4 pounds
  • Down 1.4 pounds from start
• Body Fat % (24.7% last week): 24.4%
  • Lost/gained 0.3%
  • Down 0.3% from start
• BMI (24.6 last week): 24.4
  • Lost/gained 0.2 points
  • Down 0.2 points from start
• Time Spent Being Active (>= 6 hours): 6 Hours 43 Minutes 07 Seconds
  • Miles Run: 22.05 Miles
  • Number of Runs (>=4 runs a week): 4 Runs
• Days within Calorie Goals per MFP (1200): 6 days

• Exercise:
  • Saturday – Rest
  • Sunday – Ran 4.75 miles (46:14); Walked 0.50 miles (7:26); Upper Body (12:20); Abs (12:16)
  • Monday – Ran 8.25 miles (1:20:10); CDF MMA Speed (26:16); Hammer Abs (10:33)
  • Tuesday – CDF Power Sculpt (36:19); CDF MMA Speed 2.0 (20:26); Uptown Funk Abs *2 (9:38)
  • Wednesday – Ran 4.66 miles (45:07); Walked 0.34 miles (5:28)
  • Thursday – Ran 5K (30:48); Walked 0.45 miles (7:35); Upper Body Weight Machine (13:13); Abs (10:14)
  • Friday – CDF Agility Strength (35:47); CDF 5-min Core (5:30)
• Notes:
  • Kicked it off right – working hard!
  • Super happy with Week 1 – exceeded weight and day loss goals!
  • I forgot how hard CDF is on my ankles… OUCH.
• Picture of the Week

• The Week’s Workouts:

• Starting Statistics on 04/17/2018 (A Tuesday – not the typical Friday)
  • Weight: 157.0 pounds
  • Body Fat %: 24.7%
  • BMI: 24.6

I’m super excited to drop 7 pounds – it is time to get this done! Racing season is here and I don’t want to be running 13.1 miles over and over again at 157 pounds – ugh! 150 pounds will be a much more comfortable weight to carry for that kind of mileage!

Goals for these 7 Weeks (actually 6.5 weeks since I weighed in on a Tuesday):

• Finish on 05/25/2018 with a body weight loss of 7 pounds or more (minimum target weight is 150 pounds)
• I am targeting a loss of 1.5% or more of body fat as reported on my scale
• I want to see major changes in my physique since I’ve been there before and know I can look a lot better
• Complete 6+ hours a week of dedicated exercise
• Run 4 times a week at minimum (following my trusty 6-week half marathon training plan)
• Lift or do weight training at least 3 days a week
• Use Core De Force for strength training and additional cardio
• Do abdominal work at least 4 days a week
• Stay within daily net calorie goal of 1200 calories at least 6 days a week
• Report into My Fitness Pal daily (478 day streak already!)

Starting Statistics on 04/17/2018 (A Tuesday – not the typical Friday)

• Weight: 157.0 pounds
• Body Fat %: 24.7%
• BMI: 24.6

Starting Measurements:

• Natural Waist: 29.5 inches
• Belly Button: 33 inches
• Hips: 37.5 inches
• Chest: 35.25 inches

The Workout Plan:

There will be 4 runs a week, per my training plan. On days I don’t run, I will do Core De Force (CDF) for cardio and CDF for strength training. On run days, if I decide to add some weight lifting, I’ll do that with free weights or the weight machine. Any supplemented cardio will be CDF workouts because they do incorporate strength as well. Abdominal work will be done with CDF, Hammer Abs, and on my own.

Before Photos

 

 

Weekly Stats:

• Week 1
• Week 2
• Week 3
• Week 4
• Week 5
• Week 6