Running: What You Dood (that's how Asher says "what I did," which never fails to make me laugh)

I got a lot of comments and a handful of emails asking for a more detailed description of my training plan for the half-marathon. I was surprised, frankly. Did I come across as somewhat authoritative and confident in that last post? Were you under the impression that I did anything other than SHUFFLE over the finish line and then complain about my aching knees for the next 48 hours? Did I leave out that part about being nauseous for the entire hour-long car ride home and maybe suspecting that the ripe scent of my armpits was the sole contributing factor?

So anyway, while I am not, by any stretch of the imagination, an expert or even a very well-informed runner, I will gladly share what worked for me.

I started training six months out, which was also about three months postpartum. I hadn't exercised for MONTHS when I started training – I'd been sidelined at the end of my pregnancy with swelling and general achiness – so I thought it was best to allow myself a lot of time to accomplish my goal. When I first started, I consulted the Hal Higdon Half Marathon Training Guide for the Novice Runner. I never followed it to the letter, but it gave me some general guidelines as to what I needed to work up to. The program actually worked really well for me at the very beginning, when I was huffing and puffing up hills and walking when it got tough and wanting to die when I got home. It was a great guide to start getting me in shape.

I'll be honest, at the beginning, running wasn't exactly fun. It was strenuous and punishing and time-consuming. Ok, ok, truthfully? It was hard. It felt unnatural. And every time I would see a hill coming up, I would dread having to run up it because I knew I would be out of breath when I got to the top; I knew my legs would burn and that nine times out of ten, I'd have to take a walk break to regain my composure before continuing on. I always felt good when I finished a run, but in the beginning, I can't say that I always enjoyed it. I wore my iPod so that I could listen to music to inspire me, but I also wore it so it would drown out the sound of my own heavy breathing.

I would say I ran four or five days a week. If I didn't run, then I walked the dog three miles, or I took the kids out in the stroller for the same distance (pushing NINETY POUNDS OF STROLLER AND KIDS up and down hills is called STRENGTH TRAINING). There were very few days when I did little or no exercise at all. And gradually, I was able to build up the stamina to take longer daily runs. In the beginning, it was all I could do to get through three miles. Back then, I tried doing a longer run (up to five or six miles) once a week, but I had to walk a lot of it. By August and September, though, I was able to run six miles at a time (when I had the opportunity) and I was also able to enjoy it. (The cooler weather definitely helped. It isn't particularly fun running in 90 percent humidity in July.) I never stopped dreading hills, but I always forgot why I dreaded them by the time I was halfway up – even hills got easier, and I rarely had to decrease my speed to finish the climb, nor did I have to stop or slow down to catch my breath when I got to the top.

I confess, I did only one REALLY long run before the half-marathon, and it was eight miles. And I walked a LOT of it, because I hadn't brought water, and was running on an unfamiliar trail, and it was sunny and hot and I was wearing shorts that I didn't usually wear and they were CHAFING MY THIGHS and IT HURT and basically it was just a big hot disaster. And I meant to go out for another one before the race, but I never found the time, and in the end, it turned out that it didn't matter much anyway.

So My Official Theory on running is that if you run often, and stay committed, and push yourself to do one more mile or half-mile or lap even when you really don't want to but you're pretty sure you CAN, then you'll be in good enough shape to finish the race without having done the long-run training component. Of course, the long-run training component can only help you. And I think it's pretty essential to try at least ONE long run if you've never EVER done one before. (I had run two 10-mile races before the half-marathon, so I knew what I was in for, even if I found out what I was in for, like, six years ago or something.) For me, consistently running five or six miles, three times a week (with some cross-training and shorter runs thrown in) was enough to get my body into really good shape, and I knew I could tolerate running 13 miles, even if I didn't do it fast or pretty. My goal was to FINISH, and I was hoping I'd be able to run the entire time. Check, and also CHECK.

As for WHEN to run, well, it gets considerably harder when the days get shorter. I'm not much for treadmills or the gym, I confess. I don't mind running in the rain or the cold. I like the feeling of getting out the door, leaving the house and the kids behind, and seeing things and people along the way. I like tiptoeing past a bunch of grazing deer and waving hello to kids in strollers and watching the sun go down over the lake. During the summer, I'd put Lucy to bed before heading out around 7:15. I could squeeze in at least 45 minutes of running before it got even REMOTELY dark. Sometimes when Dave gets home from work around 6:15 and I know we're having dinner after the kids go to bed, I rush out the door to squeeze in a jog before bathtime. But I realize that soon it will be dark by 5pm, and my only hope is to try to run in the morning, which I hate, but which I will reluctantly do, because I don't want to backslide. I don't want to have to start all over from scratch. I love what my body feels like NOW when I'm running. I don't want to be the beginner again, with my lungs burning all the time and my knees wobbling when I tried to climb the stairs when I got home. No thanks.

I can't guarantee that you'll love it, but I think if you condition your body to be in good enough shape to do it well, then you might actually find that you enjoy it.

I hope this answered some questions. Like I said, me = furthest thing from running expert, but I'm happy to share my experience because it was a good one.

Comments

[Erin]

Thanks for this! I am running a half-marathon on November 7th. I've only done a 5K before, and walked most of it. I've been following a training plan for the past six weeks. I did 5 miles yesterday and will be doing two long runs (8 and 10 miles) before the race-along with shorter runs during the week. At first it SUCKS and I HATE it, but somewhere around mile 3 I start feeling invincible. I'm shooting for your time-that would make me feel like Superwoman! Congrats on your accomplishment-it's definitely been an encouragement to me!

[Lauren]

I am running my first half-marathon in less than two weeks. I've run a bunch of 10Ks over the past year or so and wanted to kick it up a notch, so I followed a nine week plan I found in Runners World that fit my experience perfectly: http://www.runnersworld.com/article/0,7120,s6-238-244-258-6851-0,00.html.

The site/magazine has lots of running plans for any distance and any level of running experience (I used some of their plans for 10K training too.) Just thought I'd share in case people were looking for other resources...

I too run with an ipod and have enjoyed doing most of my long runs in Sept/Oct when the weather in New England is most cooperative and the people watching is at its peak (shoot me now if I ever decide to go for a full marathon and have to train during the winter.)

It took a while (like YEARS), but I honestly LOVE running now and even though it is still damn hard work, it is absolutely worth it and most days I can't wait to lace up.

Anyway, congrats on your achievement Emily! I'm hoping my half is equally as satisfying and empowering. :)

[Frema]

So glad you posted this. I'm new to running and lover reading about everyone's individual training plans. And I'm with you on running outside. A treadmill isn't an option, anyway (no money to buy one and no time for the gym), so I hope to stay motivated through the cold months when I'd rather stay inside and snuggle under blankets.

[Katie]

Thank you!! I'm in your boat, with an almost 3 year old and a 10 month old, and I was wondering how you fit it into your evenings.

I think that everyone wants to know, because you aren't an expert, you're just like us, and you did it!!!! Yay!

[Wiz]

I ran a half marathon in 06 and since then I have had a baby and am back to being able to only run a mile and maaaybe a mile and a half TOPS. I am still proud to say that I know I can do a half again if I put my mind to it! I would love to do one again someday, but for now, I am continuing with the "Maybe next year" plan! :)

[Manda]

All good advice. I freaking LOVE Runner's World ... it is so helpful and motivating for me (and I keep most of them by the toilet so I can dog ear good articles for my team .... MULTITASKING AT ITS FINEST!).

[Penny]

This really makes me want to run more...and also makes me feel really lazy, because I know that I am not going to run 5+ days a week. At least, yet.

But I'd like to run some races next season, so just as soon as I'm not sick for the billionth time, I'll begin (again).

[Karen]

I'm like Penny. Reading your post makes me want to run more (and I have NO excuse because I have a treadmill), but I also know myself and know that I don't yet have it in me to force myself to run daily.

I look to you and my best friend for inspiration. She has run several marathons and even at 5 months pregnant, is still running 3-4 days a week.

[Isis]

I never ran in a marathon earlier, but this Sunday i am going to run in a half marathon !