Hump Day Half - Here we go!!

[Raggedeannie]

Good luck this weekend runaways and @mrschicken!

[breezy8407]

What number half are you training for?
spring will be my 4th, fall will be 5th


What race are you training for?

undecided yet, but I am leaning towards the Lake Minnetonka 1/2 on 5/4 (My other option is the Get in Gear 1/2 on 4/26)


What motivated you to sign up for your first half?
just seemed like the next step...I ran a 10 mile race as my first race post high school

What motivated you to sign up for your next one, if this is not your first?

I like the distance and the training is long enough and hard enough to be a challenge but not too time consuming like a full would be. I am not expecting a PR for this spring race, but would like to go for a PR in the fall since I was only about 7 seconds away this past fall. 


How's training going this week? Challenges? Victories? Random thoughts?

well, it's week 1/12 and so far not so great. I have a lot of work and life situations that are getting in the way of my planned training. As of now, I should be fine completing the first week as written. 

[skwcm80]

Feb 5, 2014 12:33:36 GMT -5 G22 said:

Feb 5, 2014 12:29:19 GMT -5 skwcm80 said:

My PR is 2:16, but the Smartcoach app has me training for a 2:06 half in April, hopefully I can get there this year. If not, I'll have fun trying.

You can totally do it! There will always be an "elusive" number to push yourself towards, it just changes over time as you improve. That's part of what hooks people to running I think.

Thanks! That's definitely a big part of the appeal for me.  

[melodramatic26]

hat number half are you training for? (Poll for mobile users - First timer, half-peater, three-peat, 4-5, 6-10, 11-15, 15+ veteran)
6

What race are you training for?
Christie Clinic University of Illinois Half (and 5k the night before)

What motivated you to sign up for your first half? drank too much with other runners that convinced me I could it...
What motivated you to sign up for your next one, if this is not your first? Love the training, feel accomplished at the finish line.

How's training going this week? Challenges? Victories? Random thoughts? Really working on my time for this one. I ran 3 halves last year and none of them were PRs. I WANT this.

[Deleted]

Feb 5, 2014 11:33:56 GMT -5 lovesherheels said:

Feb 5, 2014 10:13:43 GMT -5 @sessalee said:

My cats kept me up late too. We live parallel lives, apparently!

You poor, poor thing. I wouldn't wish those sleepless nights on anyone. Last night was super fun because we're still in boxes. I see them and I'm all, "OMG. We're NEVER going to get unpacked." And the cats are like, "Wheeeeeee! Obstacle course at 3 a.m.!!!" Sigh.

We call them the Kittenlympics. So far their favorite event is Receipt Wrestling, best work is done at 2am!

[patches31709]

What number half are you training for? (Poll for mobile users - First timer, half-peater, three-peat, 4-5, 6-10, 11-15, 15+ veteran)

This is HM #4


What race are you training for?

More Magazine/Fitness Magazine Women's Half on 4/13 in Central Park


What motivated you to sign up for your first half?

I wanted to try my hand at longer distances.

What motivated you to sign up for your next one, if this is not your first?

I'm also chasing the elusive 2 hour mark. I've gone from 2:13 in my first down to 2:06. I didn't train for a 2:00 half last time like I should have, but this time I am going for it. 


How's training going this week? Challenges? Victories? Random thoughts?

This week stinks at the moment! I'm supposed to do a tempo run today but we got a foot of snow this morning and now it's sleeting so the roads are icy, and I'm at home so I can't use the treadmill in our work gym. Oh well.

[Deleted]

This is my second half. My first was in October of 2011 (I was one week pregnant with my son but didn't know it then)
What race are you training for? New Bedford Half in Mass March 16

What motivated you to sign up for your first half? I've always been a runner and wanted to achieve something I thought would be completely unimaginable for me. 


What motivated you to sign up for your next one, if this is not your first? Gaining ground with my running makes me feel strong. My body has changed in a lot of undesirable ways since having my son, but I feel the same when I'm running. I may be carrying around 10 extra pounds, but I am stronger than before.

How's training going this week?  Challenges?  Victories?  Random thoughts? I had a great long run last weekend. Pushed to 9 and felt great. But this week I haven't been able to work out because of snow days and my husband's work schedule Finding time to train is so much harder this time around. 

[schitzengiggles]

What number half are you training for? This will be my number 5. Not training yet, but trying to build a good base back up in preparation for training.

What race are you training for? Garry Bjorklund, June 21st (AKA Grandma's Half)

What motivated you to sign up for your first half? To accomplish what I never thought possible, especially a few years ago when I was obese and had never been "active" or fit in my life.

What motivated you to sign up for your next one, if this is not your first? This will be my 3rd time running this race and I love it. It was my first 1/2 ever, and my current 1/2 PR (2:10) is from the second time I ran it. I am ready to PR again this year. I hope :-)

How's training going this week? I want my base before training to be 6 miles. I am up to about 4. I did a 3.75 mile run + 1.5 mile walk last night and it felt great!

[lovesherheels]

Feb 5, 2014 13:01:46 GMT -5 @sessalee said:

Feb 5, 2014 11:33:56 GMT -5 lovesherheels said:

You poor, poor thing. I wouldn't wish those sleepless nights on anyone. Last night was super fun because we're still in boxes. I see them and I'm all, "OMG. We're NEVER going to get unpacked." And the cats are like, "Wheeeeeee! Obstacle course at 3 a.m.!!!" Sigh.

We call them the Kittenlympics. So far their favorite event is Receipt Wrestling, best work is done at 2am!

That. Is. Awesome. I'm stealing it. 

[jchokie79]

What number half are you training for? This will be my second Half!

What race are you training for? The Pittsburgh Half on May 4th.

What motivated you to sign up for your first half? I started running a little over a year ago and worked my way through 5k, 10k then the Half. It was about personal challenge for me.

What motivated you to sign up for your next one, if this is not your first? For years I've watched friends and coworkers run the Pgh Marathon and always wished that I could. So here I am!

How's training going this week? Challenges? Victories? Random thoughts?

I completely fell off the running/training wagon as soon as my first Half was over last Sept. I knew I needed to kick it in gear and get myself back in shape so I've been following an 18 week training plan to build my base back up.

Happy to report that everything has been going really well and I've been keeping on track. Just wish the weather hasn't been as bad so I could actually run outside more often but all in due time.

[clseale]

What number half are you training for? (Poll for mobile users - First timer, half-peater, three-peat, 4-5, 6-10, 11-15, 15+ veteran)
After a quick count, I think this is #10.

What race are you training for?
Albany half 3/1/14

What motivated you to sign up for your first half?
I had just completed a marathon 4 months prior, soooo... lol Yep, backwards.

What motivated you to sign up for your next one, if this is not your first?
Knowing I could run faster, although it was actually half #4 before I actually properly trained for one.

How's training going this week? Challenges? Victories? Random thoughts?
It's fine. This is weird training for me. It's kind of an after thought after my marathon almost 2 weeks ago. I'm just planning to keep my mileage up. I'm planning 15-16 this Sunday, and then I guess I'll just taper down...maybe 16, 12, 10, race? Idk. I have a goal in mind, but while it's only a little over two minutes off of my PR, I'm not sure if it's realistic just yet. We'll see.

[mrshandy]

What number half are you training for?  4


What race are you training for?
DC RNR Half


What motivated you to sign up for your first half?
I wanted to eventually run a marathon and figured it was a good stepping stone
What motivated you to sign up for your next one, if this is not your first?
 Wanted to improve my time and I figured it would help my marathon training. I still have yet to improve my time from my first one!


How's training going this week? Challenges? Victories? Random thoughts?
It's going fine. I'm happy to be getting back to my old pace. Not sure if I'll be able to PR.

[Raggedeannie]

40 polls responses! You guys rock my socks off!

[shellfish26]

Feb 5, 2014 8:15:21 GMT -5 Raggedeannie said:

[coconutbug]

What number half are you training for? I don't remember, but maybe somewhere between 6-10.

What race are you training for? RNR DC half

What motivated you to sign up for your first half? I was training for a 70.3 and a marathon.

What motivated you to sign up for your next one, if this is not your first? My last half was way back in 2008, and I'd like to improve.

How's training going this week? Challenges? Victories? Random thoughts? I'm finally getting in some decent runs after a coughing my way through the crud from hell in Dec/Jan. Yay!

[shellfish26]

Heeey, where did my post go?   Trying again...

What number half are you training for?
This is my first!

What race are you training for?
The B&A trail half in Severna Park, MD

What motivated you to sign up for your first half?
Not really sure!  I have been comfortably increasing my mileage since I started running 2 years ago, and I want to keep challenging myself.

How's training going this week? Challenges? Victories? Random thoughts?
I'm having a great training week so far.  Coming off of my "rest" week (4 days of 4 mile runs, no long run, but a 5K).  This week is 2-5-2-10.  I just finished a 5 mile tempo run a few minutes ago, and it was a sloppy wet run through DC, but I managed to hold a great pace.  I'm just hoping that we don't get any snow on Saturday so that I can get my long run in outside.  Because, really, the treadmill is sucking the life out of me. 

[sassystace]

What number half are you training for? This will be half #8 for me.

What race are you training for? Pittsburgh Half (5/4)

What motivated you to sign up for your first half? I started running and needed a goal race to give me something to train for. Like someone else said, it was time to reclaim the body after birthing and breastfeeding my youngest.

What motivated you to sign up for your next one, if this is not your first?
I signed up for my second even before I finished the first half. My first half was awesome, my second was two weeks later and not so awesome.

How's training going this week? Challenges? Victories? Random thoughts?
I am dealing with a stomach bug so that's messing up the schedule. The snow and ice makes all my runs treadmill runs but I am okay with that for now. THINK SPRING!

[taratru]

What number half are you training for? (Poll for mobile users - First
timer, half-peater, three-peat, 4-5, 6-10, 11-15, 15+ veteran)
I think my next is #9?

What race are you training for?
Princess Half on 2/23

What motivated you to sign up for your first half?
I just wanted to see if I could do it.  I'd done a 10k and figured a half would be my crowning achievement.  Ya know, since I was never going to run a full. 

What motivated you to sign up for your next one, if this is not your first?
I knew I could be faster than that.

How's training going this week?  Challenges?  Victories?  Random thoughts?
Hm.  Well, the weather is shit, so it's treadmill city. That makes it really hard to get going.  But for now, it's slow and steady.  I might actually do a "long" run this weekend and try 6 or 7. 

The challenges are many - weather, frustration, injury.  Victory is that I'm out there.  Random thoughts...I really am anxious to get to a happy place.  Like today just suuuuuucks, and I need a nice long run outside to clear my head, but it's still below zero and slick. 

[thebulldog]

Feb 5, 2014 15:42:38 GMT -5 taratru said:

What number half are you training for? (Poll for mobile users - First
timer, half-peater, three-peat, 4-5, 6-10, 11-15, 15+ veteran)
I think my next is #9?

What race are you training for?
Princess Half on 2/23

What motivated you to sign up for your first half?
I just wanted to see if I could do it.  I'd done a 10k and figured a half would be my crowning achievement.  Ya know, since I was never going to run a full. 

What motivated you to sign up for your next one, if this is not your first?
I knew I could be faster than that.

How's training going this week?  Challenges?  Victories?  Random thoughts?
Hm.  Well, the weather is shit, so it's treadmill city. That makes it really hard to get going.  But for now, it's slow and steady.  I might actually do a "long" run this weekend and try 6 or 7. 

The challenges are many - weather, frustration, injury.  Victory is that I'm out there.  Random thoughts...I really am anxious to get to a happy place.  Like today just suuuuuucks, and I need a nice long run outside to clear my head, but it's still below zero and slick. 

yay princess race!

i be typing from me phone. typos and grammer dont count.

[emjacobs]

What number half are you training for? 
First one!!


What race are you training for?

Nike DC Womens Half

What motivated you to sign up for your first half?

It was close and I needed something to kick my ass into gear to get working.  Go big or go home, right? 

How's training going this week? Challenges? Victories? Random thoughts?

Great, I got my mile to 15min (I'm slow slow slow) for my 4 mile last night. Last week I did over 10 miles in the week. I'm hoping it warms up / stops icing and snowing so I can get outside. 

[water*drop]

What number half are you training for? Spring will be #6 and maybe #7

What race are you training for? Good question. I'm still working on figuring that out. I'm doing a 25k in May; I need to pick a half for April.

What motivated you to sign up for your first half? I just wanted to see if I could do it.
What motivated you to sign up for your next one, if this is not your first? I botched my training something terrible for my first half, so I wanted to do another one...so I signed up for the Seattle RnR half (I'm from MI) and figured that if I had to fly to get to the race, I wouldn't skip training runs. It worked, and I fell in love with half marathons during that race. My time has improved significantly (from 2:34:31 to 2:00:25), so that has been keeping me motivated. Hopefully spring brings me a sub-2:00 race...

How's training going this week? Challenges? Victories? Random thoughts? Hahahahaha. DD's been bringing home lots of ridiculous germs from daycare, and my immune system gave up on me a couple of weeks ago. I finally just decided to rest for a few days (which quickly turned into a week). I'm feeling better, so I'm going to hop on the treadmill tomorrow. The excessive snow is not helping my training any, either, since the roads aren't safe for running right now. I struggle with motivation on the treadmill.

[westbeast]

What number half are you training for?
#3

What race are you training for?  
Shamrockn 1/2

What motivated you to sign up for your first half?
Was regularly running 5 miles and wanted something more to train for.

What motivated you to sign up for your next one, if this is not your first?
I wanted to see if there had been any improvement.  This will be my second time running this race and will really use to see any improvement over the last year.

How's training going this week? Challenges? Victories? Random thoughts?  
Ugghhh!!  Training has not been happening this week!  : (  I've been sick with the flu and hadn't done anything in a week.  Went out for a 3.5 miler this morning and it took much longer than usual and completely wiped me out.  Worried this long break will curtail my training but can't keep stressing about it.

[sunshinejoy]

Feb 5, 2014 8:15:21 GMT -5 Raggedeannie said:

Good morning half trainees!!  Let's kick it off with a poll! 

What number half are you training for? (Poll for mobile users - First timer, half-peater, three-peat, 4-5, 6-10, 11-15, 15+ veteran)   Half-peat
 
What race are you training for?  The Run for the Lakes 1/2 marathon in MN in April

What motivated you to sign up for your first half? I just wanted to know I could do it and it gave me a winter goal
What motivated you to sign up for your next one, if this is not your first?  The first one was a lot hillier than I expected so I wanted a more flat course to see how I can improve my time....and a friend convinced me :-)

How's training going this week?  Challenges?  Victories?  Random thoughts?   Minnesota has not had a friendly winter for running so all training has been done on the treadmill.  I need my outdoor runs to be ready so I'm hoping spring comes early

[thebulldog]

What number half are you training for? (Poll for mobile users - First timer, half-peater, three-peat, 4-5, 6-10, 11-15, 15+ veteran)

This will be my fourth 1/2 in three years (RNR DC 2012, Nike and Philly 2013).

What race are you training for?
Princess 1/2 Marathon in about two weeks.

What motivated you to sign up for your first half? I was on a good running kick and after really enjoying a 15K race I felt I was ready for a half. I really enjoy the race day atmosphere. My first half was not that great of an experience. It was a hot day for a March race and I was not prepared for the amount of Hills but I still finished.

What motivated you to sign up for your next one, if this is not your first?
My New Year's resolution for 2013 was to do a race a month. it could be a 5K, 10K anything but I had to do 12 races. After doing the Cherry Blossom 10 miler (which I did a few times before) i was able to get a bib for the Nike and had a great race. I wanted to continue my streak and had a great great PR in Philly in November. It was a fantastic day.



How's training going this week? Challenges? Victories? Random thoughts?
Training for Princess has not been going well at all. I have tendonitis in my knee and inner calf. I was going okay until the end of Dec. I saw the doc and he said to not run for a bit and I started physical therapy. i did a short 3 miles MLK week (and got scolded by the doc for it) and did 4 this weekend once i got the ok to run. My calf still hurts a bit so this is just going to be a fun run, which is perfectly find. I am running with my "Disney fan" friend who does all the Disney races and we just want to enjoy ourselves and take pics and screw around. i am dressing up as sleeping beauty. This race is built into a family vacation so i get to see my niece, nephew and sister at the finish line for the first time. I am a little nervous about it. I know I can finish but i hope to run at least a good chunk of it instead of just walking.

Read more: pandce.proboards.com/thread/286441/hump-day-half#ixzz2sVe0cUI8

[boston340]

I'm super late to the party, I know! We had a snow day yesterday and I lounged around and watched a movie, took a nap, read my book, and took FULL advantage of a free snow day!

What number half are you training for? I think this is #2.  To make a long story short - I ran 4 marathons and 1 half-marathon in the late 90's to early 00's timeframe (high school and college).  Then I was super sporadic with working out for about 10 years.  I've been consistent again for 3 years now.  

What race are you training for?
Indianapolis Women's Half on 6/7 and Grand Lake Marathon (half) on 9/27

What motivated you to sign up for your first half?
I ran my first marathon when I was 18 - some friends and I decided to run a marathon to celebrate graduating from high school.   

What motivated you to sign up for your next one, if this is not your first?
I've really gotten into running in the past 3 years and have discovered that hard work and planned sessions I can get decent results - fancy that.  

How's training going this week? Challenges? Victories? Random thoughts?
As others have mentioned, weather has been a major factor the past two months.  We just can't get a break in the midwest!

[skwcm80]

Feb 6, 2014 9:13:03 GMT -5 boston340 said:

I'm super late to the party, I know! We had a snow day yesterday and I lounged around and watched a movie, took a nap, read my book, and took FULL advantage of a free snow day!

What number half are you training for? I think this is #2.  To make a long story short - I ran 4 marathons and 1 half-marathon in the late 90's to early 00's timeframe (high school and college).  Then I was super sporadic with working out for about 10 years.  I've been consistent again for 3 years now.  

What race are you training for?
Indianapolis Women's Half on 6/7 and Grand Lake Marathon (half) on 9/27

What motivated you to sign up for your first half?
I ran my first marathon when I was 18 - some friends and I decided to run a marathon to celebrate graduating from high school.   

What motivated you to sign up for your next one, if this is not your first?
I've really gotten into running in the past 3 years and have discovered that hard work and planned sessions I can get decent results - fancy that.  

How's training going this week? Challenges? Victories? Random thoughts?
As others have mentioned, weather has been a major factor the past two months.  We just can't get a break in the midwest!

I was planning on running the Indy Women's half too, but it's the same day as Ragnar Chicago. They must have changed the date because I'd heard it was 6/31. 

[boston340]

Hhmm...I'm not sure when they changed the date. It's definitely 6/7 though.  

www.indywomenshalfmarathon.com/

Have fun on Ragnar!!  

[thom]

I'll join you in being late to the party.

What number half are you training for? (Poll for mobile users - First timer, half-peater, three-peat, 4-5, 6-10, 11-15, 15+ veteran)

This will be my 6th.

What race are you training for?

Earth Day Half Marathon

What motivated you to sign up for your first half?

It was the summer after my wedding, I was about a year out of college, and I realized I'd really gotten out of the exercise habit. I also felt out of sorts because I'd moved away from all my friends & wasn't happy in my job. (Which I've since quit long ago) I started running again and felt good about it, so somehow the next logical step was a half marathon. At that point I hadn't done a 5K in 2 years. During half training I ran one 5K, and then went straight for the 13.1. (This was fall 2009.)

What motivated you to sign up for your next one, if this is not your first? I liked the first, even with my poor training, and I KNEW I could run faster. That never ending carrot of chasing PR's was born!

How's training going this week?  Challenges?  Victories?  Random thoughts? Good, other than I still have a yucky cold.

[osulori]

What race are you training for? Cap City HM here in Columbus on 5/3. I'm a pacer backup as of right now.

What motivated you to sign up for your first half? It was something different.

What motivated you to sign up for your next one, if this is not your first? Motivation for me to get my butt in gear. Yeah, not working so well yet. I blame the weather.

How's training going this week? Challenges? Victories? Random thoughts? Training? Ha. My weekly mileage has sucked for so long that I'm working on getting in more weekly

[secretlyevil]

This training round isn't worth talking about. I'm really not looking forward to Princess in a couple of weeks, from the race-ready perspective. Other reasons, hell yes! Like hanging out with taratru.