Jocelyn's 1/2 Marathon Journal

[fit-fanatic-2025]

Hopefully you will be able to train and run the half marathon! I wonder if you get to the point that if running it doesn't seem like an option could you try maybe run/walking it?? I don't know if that would be a whole lot easier or not. Just a thought!

[feelin-great]

This is the half marathon that requires you to finish in under 2 hours and 45 minutes because it is on hte parade route and the parade starts immediately after. So I don't think run/walking would be an option. But I am definitely going to give it all and hope that I am ready

[fit-fanatic-2025]

Forgot about that! We need Lynne's advice here but I think you have something like around 6 weeks left? which is still quite a bit of time!! Like you said give it your all that's all you can do!

[sandigirl06]

Hey, Jocelyn...I know I haven't been around here lately but catching up on your journal. I see you are facing some obstacles but you are a strong girl and I am soooo glad you are finding your way again! There is usually a voice in our heads telling us to stay in bed or eat the whole bag of chips but you are better than that. Yes, we have our weak moments or even spells but what matters is we rise above it and conquer! Keep up the fight, girl. You are worth that and more!!! xo

[fitoverforty]

Hi Jocelyn!

I am going to go forward training as though I am going to run the half marathon. But I also don't want to be stupid about it and then hurt myself or get heat stroke or something, so I am also going to be realistic and keep in mind that if I don't do it it's not the end of the world.

There will always be races, if you don't quite feel ready for this one. But! Not to say you still can't be ready for this one on Sept. 25. In looking at own training schedule for the 1/2, at the 6 week mark your weekend long run should be at least 6 miles. And in the last 2 weeks you the schedule called for have a 7 & 8 mile run.
Next weeks runs should be something like:
Mon: rest/strength training / Tues.: 4.5 mile run / Wed.: intervals (3 mile run with some pickups in speed here and there)/ Thurs: Strength train or 3 mile run / Fri.: Rest / Sat.: 4 mile / Sun.: (don't panic here...) 9 mile run.
If you know you are not ready for a 9 mile run - don't do it. Just take the longest run you have done and add a bit more to that. But the last 4 weeks before your 1/2 you need to be able to run (according to the training schedule I have) 9, 10, 11, 12 mile runs for your long runs each week before the race day. There is a bit of room in this...if your longest run is 10 miles, I feel you could still do the 1/2. But you are the best judge of what you know you can do. You don't want to risk an injury by trying to run to far or too fast or both.
If this race didn't have a time limit on it, I would encourage you to do the walk/run thing, unfortunately you don't have that choice with a 2:45 minute time limit.
Don't stress yourself out over this race - you've had some tough obstacles to deal with - and this heat/humidity has been brutal. I think the May 1/2 marathon is a great idea - plenty of time to condition yourself and establish a good solid base weekly mileage - plus the weather for training will be so much better.
So, whatever you decide to do - I will support you and will be here cheering you on - believing in yourself and your abilities is key and knowing your limitations as well as your strengths is a very important part of training - and sometimes acknowledging you may not be ready for a race (while it is not easy) is the smartest and best choice you can make. Chin up girl, you are awesome!! Keep running, keep training, keep stepping forward - you are doing great.

[EdgarHF]

I agree, keep training. If you don't make this one on the 25th you will just be more ready in May. The important thing is you are still out there working.

[fitoverforty]

knock, knock!!! Hey Jocelyn!! How are ya? Miss you!!

[feelin-great]

Hey guys! I have been MIA lately - computer crashed! Nothing like a 3 month old computer crashing...GRRRRRRRR Well, technically it didn't crash but it is a laptop and something with the connection of the monitor broke so I couldn't use it. And since I can't get to the site from work any longer I was lost! It's amazing how much a person relies on the internet! Anyway, back up and running now Hopefully I can get caught up on everyone's journals soon

I haven't been too bad, not super good by any means, but not horrible! I haven't been eating the healthiest but now I am back on track with that, went grocery shopping tonight and had a super delicious HEALTHY meal - I forgot how good it feels to eat healthy! As for workouts, I have had to really cut back on the running. knee really isn't the best when I run too much, so I am keeping it under 2 miles twice a week. Other than that I have been doing DVDs. But now DVD player broke! Ahhhh, I hate electronics! So off to buy a new one tomorrow... I attempted to do it from computer tonight but the monitor is too small and I don't have the cables to attach it to the TV.

As for the 1/2 marathon, I know for sure I will not be able to run the one next month. I spoke with doctor and she suggested I slowly work it up. I have plenty of time before the one in May so I am hoping that if I run shorter distances for a while I will be able to get used to it instead of increasing regularly - Lynne, any suggestions? I am glad I still have a goal to work towards in May, it will help to keep me on track.

Glad to be back on the site - as for everything else, I really have pulled myself out of the funk I was in and I feel great - I hope everyone is doing great!

[Bonnie]

So the knee is not better & your doctor does not send you for additional tests .. cuts out your exercise instead ?..Uhh.

[fitoverforty]

I spoke with doctor and she suggested I slowly work it up. I have plenty of time before the one in May so I am hoping that if I run shorter distances for a while I will be able to get used to it instead of increasing regularly - Lynne, any suggestions?

Hi Jocelyn! Glad to see u back and doing well. The doc is right, this is a good time to do some conditioning, letting your knee build up strength. Strength training is a great tool to enhance and help prevent injuries in running. Since you have some time now, it is a good time to look into doing some overall conditioning and strengthening in addition to your weekly shorter distance runs. I would do basic Body Weight exercises - nothing fancy, just a regular routine of pushups, pull ups, lunges, squats, step ups (be careful of the knee - any pain, then stop), rev. crunches, ab curls, etc. These are important for strengthening your leg muscles, ab muscles, posture, etc. - which really helps your running. When your knee is ready, you can start adding some speedwork, like intervals, HIIT, sprints to help increase your overall average mile pace times.

I haven't been eating the healthiest but now I am back on track with that, went grocery shopping tonight and had a super delicious HEALTHY meal - I forgot how good it feels to eat healthy!

Isn't it great how awesome it feels when we eat healthy, and buy healthy snacks, not only physically, but mentally too. No guilt, or regrets - just good food, that's good for ya!! Good job, keep it up...and don't be a stranger!!! miss you on here!!

[feelin-great]

So the knee is not better & your doctor does not send you for additional tests .. cuts out your exercise instead ?..Uhh.

Actually she wants me to do additional tests but I can't afford it right now, so I chose option #2 I have doctor bills up to eyeballs right now and just can't add to it right now...

[feelin-great]

The doc is right, this is a good time to do some conditioning, letting your knee build up strength. Strength training is a great tool to enhance and help prevent injuries in running.

That's pretty much what doctor said - thanks for the tips! I am a little worried about lunges and step-ups and such, but I will take it easy if there is any pain. I really want to do this right so that I don't hurt knee even more!

Isn't it great how awesome it feels when we eat healthy, and buy healthy snacks, not only physically, but mentally too. No guilt, or regrets - just good food, that's good for ya!! Good job, keep it up...and don't be a stranger!!! miss you on here!!

I know, it really feels good mentally when you eat healthy! It helps to make better decisions on everything else in day as well And I won't be a stranger - so glad to have computer back - I was lost without it!

[Bonnie]

Oh, didn't realize you had to pay for those, I'm Canadian eh

[Fygle]

Welcome back!

[Nokie173]

Hey guys! I have been MIA lately - computer crashed! Nothing like a 3 month old computer crashing...GRRRRRRRR

I had mini notebook for less than 3 months... And it already crashed on me... I was on the phone with a person from India trying to it for 3 long hours and at the end... I had to send it in to be ... i feel your pain... However, Welcome back