I hope I don't regret this...

I'm no good at keeping secrets & I've got too many in my head right now...  So...  Here we go...

I think I want to run a half marathon.  When I got into this running thing, I had NO intentions - I mean ZERO - of wanting to run a half or a full marathon (no, a full one still isn't even on my radar - ick!), and I still haven't even run a 5K at an actual race.  In fact, I've never run anything, not one step, at an actual race.  Yet, here I am, admitting that I think I want to attempt a half.  Yes, I certainly have lost my mind.  I'm gonna go ahead and blame it on my amazing running partner, Denya.  She's just too good & I really do want to be like her.  (If only!)  She ran her first AND second half in the same week this month.  AND, she's already training for her first full marathon  She's totally my idol.  Therefore, it's her fault.

The thing is, well, there are several things actually:

1)  I really don't think I can do it.  I realize I just started running again after nursing a broken vertebra for 6.5 weeks & I shouldn't be able to just get out there & gooooo.  Still, 2 miles kicked my butt the other day.  13.1?!  Are you kidding me?  I'm not sure I have that much in me at this point in my running abilities.

2)  Part of what I like about running is running with someone.  I realize there are lots of folks out there during a race, but I'd still feel/be alone & I don't do alone-ness well.  I don't need someone talking to me the whole 13.1 miles, but I need someone there to push me, I just don't think I can do it alone.  Yet, I wouldn't want to be in a pace group 'cause I really would want to just go as fast or slow as I want with each mile.  I don't want to feel "stuck" with a certain pace when I need to change it up, yet I wouldn't want to leave the group.  Yes, I know - grow up.  I'm admitting my faults here, okay?  So, hush.

3)  I really don't think I can do it.  In fact, I'm pretty sure I can't.

4)  I really don't think I can do it.  Which pisses me off & kinda makes me want to do it more.  I enjoy proving people wrong, even myself.

Obviously, my biggest obstacle is a mental one.  Well, a mental one fueled by a physical inability.  13.1 miles?  No way.  Well, maybe.  No.  Yes?  Eh, I just don't know.  The thing about me is, I'm not willing to set out to RUN a half & end up walking any of it.  ANY of it.  It would make the whole process pointless to me 'cause I'm a freak like that.

So, if I told you I want to run a half & I want to run it in, oh, say, September...  what would you say to me?

The 28 Day Pre-Training Plan

The know-it-all (in a good way) Jacki posted this on FB the other day.  After reading it, I thought - well, there's something I need to try!  I have been *trying* to follow a 1200 calories diet for a while now, but I haven't been seeing a big difference really.  Hopefully this plan will push me over the plateau I'm on!

Since I know I can't possible be the only lazy person who hates to click on links, I'll summarize the plan (then you can click on it 'cause, really, you should read it!).  This is only good if you aren't currently training for a race of some sort.  There are 5 "steps" for losing weight before you start training for your next race.

1 - cut calories by 300-500.  My body requires a little over 1500, so 1200 is where I'm sticking.

2 - do 3 full-body strength training workouts a week.  I will do these M/W/F mornings, devoting around 1 hour to weights & finishing with 30 minutes of cardio.

3 - increase protein to 30% of your caloric intake.  Honestly, I'm not positive that's where I'll hit, but I'm definitely planning on adding more [lean] protein to my diet for the next 28 days.

4 - aerobic exercises need to be sprint intervals, not endurance.  For me, that means the 30 minutes of cardio on M/W/F mornings will be sprint intervals on the elliptical.

5 - do 1 long & easy fasting aerobic workout per week (no food intake before or during).  I'll be doing this one day during the weekend.  I did my first yesterday, 25 miles on the bike w/no fuel...  my butt was kicked!

After my workout yesterday, I sat down to figure out our menu so I could buy groceries.  That's when I stumbled upon this!  A [free] menu planning site with specific caloric needs?  Yes please!  I surely can't screw this up, huh?  ;)  I get sick of eating the same stuff & I get sick of using my app to count every morsel I put in my mouth.  With this, all the work is done for me!  I'm making a few changes, to fit my needs & taste.  (Okay, to be honest, it's to fit the fact that my birthday AND anniversary happen in the next 28 days & you better believe I plan on eating something sweet & fattening for at least one of those days!)

So, let's see how this 28 day plan goes.  Once it's over I want to start training...  for a race...