Running!!!!

So, I'm training with the Easties for the half marathon in April. My goal is to be to 5 miles by Christmas. Since I did a 5K this summer I didn't want to only go back to Couch to 5K with the group. I wanted to push further but I also want the experience with the team from the very beginning. So here is what I planned... Keep increasing distance on my own while doing intervals with the group. That way I get to train with the group and the intervals will help my endurance and speed on my longer runs. 

So far it's going well. I just finished resting from shin splints. No fun...

One thing I like about training with a group is pacing myself with other people. If you know someone in the group runs faster than you then you can try to keep up with them. I did that last week and it really helped me. It's not a competitive thing. It's a pushing yourself thing. Same thing goes for the opposite. If someone is running behind you and they begin to catch up you can assess... "am I slowing down?". Sometimes it's ok to have slower days and faster days but it's good to have those around you to help you measure. 

So here is my training plan to Christmas. 

Monday - 30 light run, run out 15 min and run back 15 min trying to get all the way back in the second 15 in order to not slow my pace over the run. Not trying to set records. Just running. 
Tuesday - intervals with group
Wed- off
Thursday - intervals w/ group
Friday - off
Saturday - long runs. Beginning with 2 miles, hoping to reach 5 by Christmas. 
Sunday - REST

My brother helped me make this weekly schedule up and my trainer really liked it. So here goes. 

This is my first week on this schedule. Saturday long runs will be tricky this week and next week. But I'll try to get them in.