HMT: Days 9, 10, 11 AND 12

HMT: Days 9, 10, 11 & 12

HMT: Days 9, 10, 11 & 12

Day 9 was a 4.5 mile run and I did this at Lake Merced with my bro Gordon. It was a rough run, but I managed. It was the first run that I felt weak because of my “diet.” That morning, all I had was a peanut butter sandwich. For me, this wasn’t enough and I knew it, but I was running a little late and did’t have time to prepare something better. The good thing is, now I know I can’t just have a peanut butter sandwich for a 4.5 mile run

Lake Merced

Lake Merced

Day 10 was either a 3 mile run or a “cross training” day; I went with the latter. For this days workout, I requested the help of my good friend CrossFitJasp at #FitCom. CrossFitJasp threw together a pretty tough workout for me that day and it was exactly what I needed. Going back to my 5K a week ago, one thing that I wasn’t too proud about was my lack of “kick” during the last 1/2 mile. I truly believe that this deficiency is 100% mental and that I need to train with a little more intensity every once in a while to get through that mental barrier. Crossfit workouts do exactly that; they help push through times that I am tired and just want to give up. I am positive that this type of training, once a week, will help me with my “kick” at the end of races. Day 10 was a good day.

HMT Day 10

HMT Day 10 (5 Rounds: 3 Burpee Deadlifts @ 185 lbs, 6 ring dips, 9 Push Presses @ 65 lbs, and 20 Double Unders)

Day 11 was a 4.5 mile run + strength day. For the 4.5 mile run, I ran Lake Merced with a few friends and for the strength portion I did a quick circuit that consisted of bench press, bicep curls and lunges. The Lake Merced run was a good run because it was very windy that day. I understand that race days will not always be perfect conditions and that sometimes the “elements” can affect your time. I’m glad that it was as windy as it was because I wanted to see how I would react to such conditions. Surprisingly, I did pretty well. Although the wind was strong as bull, I didn’t allow it to phase me and I felt that I kept pretty good running form throughout. As for the strengthening portion of the workouts, I’m happy that I am easily pushing 45 lb dumbbells with my lunges now; I def. need to strengthen my legs if I want to improve my running.

HMT Day 11

HMT Day 11

Day 12 was….. REST DAY!!! WOOT WOOT!!… Too bad I couldn’t rest all day though. I worked from 8-5 today and ended the day with some All-You-Can-Eat Sushi! In yo face!!! I’ve been going to the same sushi spot (American Sushi House) for quite some time now, but I only found out about their All-You-Can-Eat a few days ago. That place was lucky I had a pretty balanced “diet” today, because if I was starving, I would have put them out of business tonight!

1st roll: American Roll = devoured it! NOM NOM NOM

2nd roll: Bruce Roll = killed it! NOM NOM NOM

3rd roll: Beautiful roll: I couldn’t eat anymore WHOMP WHOMP WHOMP

 

I hope you all had a great week of running and Happy Easter!! Cheers!!

Training for My First Half Marathon

Yesterday, I officially started my training for my first Half Marathon (Western Pacific Half Marathon) on May 5th. I know what you’re thinking: YOU’RE ONLY STARTING NOW?!?!

Well, I have been running a lot more these past 2 months. For instance, this month I had weekly goals of running 35 and 42 miles, both of which I reached, and I also completed a 13 mile run earlier this month. So I believe I prepared myself enough to start on “Week 6” of my Hal Higdon Training Program (pictured below). Also, I will replace the “Week 10” workout with the “Week 11” work out so that this program will lead me right up to my May 5th Half Marathon.

 

Hal Higdon's "Half Marathon Training Guide: Novice 1 Program"

Hal Higdon's "Half Marathon Training Guide: Novice 1 Program"

 

As you can see at the end of this 6th week, it says to run a 5K. So last night, I registered for my first official race: Running of the Elk Half Marathon, in Elk Grove, CA. I will be running the “Thrive 5K” portion of this race with my brother Gordon and hopefully a few more of our friends decide to come out and run with us.

 

Running of the Elk Half Marathon in Elk Grove, CA

Running of the Elk Half Marathon in Elk Grove, CA

I like this training program because it is very clear and it gives me something to follow. From what I read, Hal Higdon is an awesome resource for anything and everything about running so I am confident that this program will prepare me well for my first ever Half Marathon on May 5th.

 

Starting today, I will post my progress with this training program everyday up to and including race day, May 5th. Cheers!