1/2 marathon

I decided to track my progress here, as opposed to my FB page. That way, those that are interested can read and make suggestions, and those who aren't interested, won't be subjected to my daily notes.

My goal - run a 1/2 marathon, has turned out to be harder than I had anticipated. I'm currently very stuck at about 5 miles. I can jog/run for about 55 minutes a day but haven't been able to break through past that. I've recently changed training regimens and have been having a little more success. I run/jog everyday now. Previously, I was doing every other day, but realized after about 4 weeks, I wasn't getting stronger, and actually, was running fewer miles than I had been while I was working on weight loss. While I was actively working on losing weight, I ran everyday except Sunday. EVERYDAY, no matter what! I did interval runs, where I started at 3 minutes walking, and 2 minutes running, and worked my way up to 2.5 minutes walking, 5 minutes running. That worked great for losing weight! - 60 lbs in about 6 months.

I realize my biggest issue is in my head. I hate hate hate running on a treadmill, so it doesn't take much to talk myself out of it. Currently, after about 15 minutes, I find myself trying desperately to think about anything except what I'm doing. I listen to music - very good music - but still, some days I just struggle through it and spend the last 20 minutes, literally, counting down the minutes. I enjoy running outside but the weather has been atrocious and cold.

Physically, I'm fine. No pain after to speak of. Sometimes, my right knee is a little sore, but mostly only if I walk too fast. That's from a little torn cartilage I have from a work related injury. I do strength training 2 or 3 times a week. One day - chest, biceps, triceps, one day, - back and shoulders, one day - core and legs. On those days, I do the strength training first and then my jog/run. I go as long as I can with a minimum of 3 miles or 30 minutes.

I'm hoping my brothers are training as well, so we can run a 1/2 together as a team. I think this would be much easier if I had a training partner, but as of yet, I don't know anyone around here that is willing. My fiancée (Big D) is very much into fitness, but his knees are too far gone for running/jogging.

No running today because I've gone every day, including Sunday and I need a little break. I did lunges and another drill that focused on quads, hamstrings, gluts that I'm paying for a little bit. So I think, since I go to work early on Tuesdays, I'll use that as my off day instead of Sunday.

That's all for now.

Suggestions and tips appreciated.