IronGirl Half Marathon Training & Volunteering

Today was the first meeting of Girls on the Run.  I am the assistant coach and will be there once or twice a week.  Today was all about getting to know each by doing some fun movement activities.  We have a small group, but all of the girls are great.  I am so excited to be apart of this organization and I think we are going to have an amazing ten weeks!

I am into week four of my half marathon training. 

Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday	Saturday	Sunday
Easy 3 mi	35 mins Yoga Meltdown	Speed Workout 4 mi: 1 mi w/ 1/2 mi rest x2	REST	45 mins Kettlebell & Just Dance	Long 5 miles	REST
Easy 4 mi	35 mins Yoga Meltdown	Tempo Workout 4 mi 2 mi @ tempo	REST	Long 6 miles	REST	30 mins walk
Easy 4 mi	50 mins Shred It w/ Weights & Sprints	Tempo Workout 4 mi 2 mi @ tempo	REST	Long 7 miles	REST	30 mins Kettlebell
Easy 2 mi	35 mins Six Pack Abs	Speed Workout 4 mi: 1 mi w/ 1/2 mi rest x2	REST	XT 30 mins	Long 4 miles	REST

 
I combined the Runner's World Smart Coach plan and Marathoning for Mortals plan to create this one.  This training is a bit different from what I did for my first half, because this time I am working on building my speed and making sure to get more strength training in.  So far things have been going well.  After plugging in my race times into the Smart Coach I have an estimate as to what speed each of my runs should be.  With my previous plan I was just running, which ended up working out fine, but this time I am making sure to watch my pace during the different runs.  This has taken some getting used to because the long runs are supposed to be done 30 seconds to 1.5 minutes slower than your usual runs so you can have more time on your feet.  The speed and tempo workouts are new to me as well because in my last plan I was just doing some sprint/stride drills.  These workouts are definitely tough, but I know they are improving my speed.  Plus I always feel pretty good about myself when I finish a strong workout!

I have also started some kettlebell workouts.  We bought Bob Harper's Contoured Kettlebell which came with a short workout DVD.  The workout is quite different than anything I have done before and works muscles I didn't even know I had.  I was sore for about three days after the workout and the soreness finally subsided when I did the workout again.  I have done it a few times since without any issues.  I really like the kettlebell because it is just a little bit different than hand weights and helps you work different muscles.  I also tried Jillian Michaels Shred It with Weights and her 6 Week Six-Pack thanks to ExerciseTV on Demand.  They were both intense workouts and I sweat a ton doing both.  I like mixing in a few different activities throughout the weeks, especially new or different workouts.


Also this upcoming weekend my mom and I are volunteering for the Disney Princess Half Marathon that is happening this weekend.  The council director for GOTR works with the volunteer program at Disney and mentioned that volunteers were needed for the race so I offered to sign up.  We are apart of the Information Team and are there to answer any questions runners may have.  Our shift starts at 2AM so it will be an early morning.  We will be in the first holding area of the race, before you head to the corrals, so if you are running the race you should stop and say hi (we are wearing big Mickey Sorcerer hats and orange aprons).


Are you a fan of workout DVDs?  Which ones are your favorite?  Anyone running the Disney Princess Half this weekend?