Half marathon news + a Garmin giveaway-ENDED

Thank you so much for those of you who entered the giveaway! It has ended as of 4/5 12:48am. 

HUGE congrats to the lucky winner, Morgan, who said:

I love 10Ks too! Just enough to get the endorphins going, but not too much that your legs are completely screaming the next day. ;) (Just loudly complaining.)

Stay tuned for more giveaways in the near future <3 xoxo

_________________________________________________

For a while there, I was doing ok with the half marathon distance. I was running consistently, even pushing the jogging stroller for a few long runs, feeling great, wanted to keep running/racing, and then the cold weather hit. You might have remembered the Tucson snow (!) and nothing about that made me want to run outside.

Snow  1 of 1

(I guess if you really want it and live in a freezing climate, you just suck it up and do it, but I guess I didn’t want it that badly.)

Since then, I haven’t had much motivation. I’ve gone back to my nighttime workout ways, and have been doing HIIT intervals indoors even though the weather has been so beautiful. I need to enjoy it before it’s back to 6am training run time.

Yup. “Training run.”

I’m running another half marathon, but here’s the kicker: I’m actually going to train for it.

Garmin2

[Scared bird face. You’re welcome, haha.]

For the past two races, my training was really sporadic (some times I went a few weeks in between running at all) and even with the fact that I felt ready, the races were rough, and I didn’t run as well as I’d anticipated. This time, I’m ready to be more consistent and emphasize strength training. At that time, I wasn’t consistent with strength training, which likely had a negative impact on my runs.

The race deets:

I’ll be running the Women’s Running Series Half Marathon in Tempe/Scottsdale in November.

Use the discount code “FITAZGINA” to get $10 off your registration until November 3 if you’d like to run with me!

Garmin

Here’s my plan:

-one long run a week (anything more than that, and I could overtrain with my teaching schedule) building on mileage (Sunday or Monday)

-one short run each week (Tuesday or Thursday)

-consistent strength training. I aim for 3 sessions each week, even though, realistically, I’m happy if I get two

For my training, I’ll also be using my Garmin Forerunner 10 to track distance. I love my Forerunner so much -super light and compact compared to the 305- and was so stoked when Garmin asked if I’d like to do a giveaway.

One lucky winner will receive the new Forerunner 10 in the just-released gorgeous purple color!

Garmin  1 of 1

You have two ways to enter:

1) Leave a comment and tell me your favorite running distance. I love 10ks but feel like there are less and less of them lately. Non runners: what’s your favorite outdoor workout?

2) Tweet, “I want to win a Garmin from @fitnessista #beamazing #lovemygarmin” and leave an extra comment to let me know you tweeted!

I’ll pick the winner tomorrow (4/4 at midnight EST).

Ready, set, go!

xoxo

Gina

Some posts on half marathon training:

Focus On: Half Marathons

About half marathons + a training plan

Tucson Half marathon recap

Veteran’s Day half marathon recap

[I’m running the women’s half as part of a paid campaign with Fitfluential. I was pretty stoked to be offered the opportunity- it was a great kicker of motivation. As always, all opinions are my own.]

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2,124 Comments

  1. Nick on April 3, 2013 at 5:00 pm

    I tend to prefer 10k’s.

  2. Aleksandra on April 3, 2013 at 5:00 pm

    My favorite running distance is 2.8 miles — because that’s the distance of my very favorite running loop around my neighborhood. 🙂

  3. Amanda on April 3, 2013 at 5:01 pm

    I’ve been thinking about getting a garmin for years now – I started using my nike+ sports band about 4 years ago when I couldn’t even run 1km – I just ran my first half marathon last summer and have registered for another this year!

    I use it so much that it’s not calibrating properly anymore and won’t even sync my runs to my laptop 🙁

    I really want to train smart this year so I think it’s time to get a garmin!

    Thank you for running this contest!

  4. Phoenix on April 3, 2013 at 5:03 pm

    Love running 6 km right now. I have a great route by my apartment along the water and docks 🙂

  5. bonnie on April 3, 2013 at 5:03 pm

    I love hiking!

  6. Mary Jane on April 3, 2013 at 5:03 pm

    My favorite running distance — That is a hard question! I will tell you my favorite runs. That’s the best I can do. (in no order) 1) 5 miler around two lakes by our house. With my little man in the stroller and doggie on the leash 2) 10K Bolder Boulder race. Hands-down the best road race I’ve ever done 3) Anywhere from 4-6 mile sweaty fast treadmill run with my favorite music blasting. Looking forward to run #1 today after work. 🙂

  7. Phoenix on April 3, 2013 at 5:04 pm

    I have also tweeted 🙂

  8. Darlene on April 3, 2013 at 5:05 pm

    My favorite is a 5K.

  9. Ashley on April 3, 2013 at 5:06 pm

    I usually prefer 10k’s as well but have a hilly 12k coming up!! This would be very beneficial in my training!

  10. Joann on April 3, 2013 at 5:06 pm

    I am “training” for 10k and up to 4.25 miles. Taking forever because of work and life, but I’ll get there.

  11. Donna Smith on April 3, 2013 at 5:07 pm

    I tweeted.

  12. Stacey on April 3, 2013 at 5:08 pm

    5k. I’m hoping to do a 5 mile in July.

  13. Kate on April 3, 2013 at 5:08 pm

    My go-to distance/favorite is 5 miles.

  14. Erin on April 3, 2013 at 5:08 pm

    I love a good half marathon. Have to train for it and it is still a challenge but I don’t feel like I’m going to die, like I did when I ran a full!

  15. Ciara on April 3, 2013 at 5:09 pm

    Half’s and 5k’s and are fun but I always feel like I lose my endurance capacity with the 5k’s and my speed with the half’s. I love 10k’s! I think they’re a great happy medium, although, I agree they are few and far between.

  16. TraceyS on April 3, 2013 at 5:10 pm

    I love 5Ks that’s the perfect distance for me. I also tweeted about it

  17. Tricia on April 3, 2013 at 5:11 pm

    I really like the half-marathon distance. It is enough to be a challenge without feeling impossible. I’m not a fast runner, but I enjoy the longer distances. I ran a marathon a few years ago before I had my daughter and it felt amazing to finish it, but I definitely needed to train better for it. These days with a one year old it is hard to find the time.

  18. Ciara on April 3, 2013 at 5:11 pm

    Also, I tweeted and love that purple! So happy to see more variety 🙂

  19. Tricia on April 3, 2013 at 5:11 pm

    I also tweeted! 🙂

  20. Erin D. on April 3, 2013 at 5:12 pm

    I also love 10k’s! I think they are the perfect running distance. Long enough to feel like I got a great workout but short enough that I don’t feel I have to structure a whole day around it.

  21. Allison on April 3, 2013 at 5:12 pm

    My favorite distance so far is an 8k, but hope to run a half marathon sometime in the next year!

  22. Michelle on April 3, 2013 at 5:12 pm

    I started running about a year and half a go – as a brand new runner my only race distance was a 5k (and I was pretty proud to accomplish that!!) Now I am 7 months pregnant and not running but hope to get back into it and eventually get up to a half marathon!

  23. Mary on April 3, 2013 at 5:12 pm

    10K! Although any distance run with a good running buddy is great!

  24. Erin D. on April 3, 2013 at 5:13 pm

    I just tweeted about the giveaway!

  25. Bridget on April 3, 2013 at 5:13 pm

    i tweeted! 🙂

  26. Lisha on April 3, 2013 at 5:13 pm

    Half marathon, hands down… Long enough to challenge myself but short enough to feel like I am improving!!!!

  27. Jessica A on April 3, 2013 at 5:13 pm

    5 Mile races are my very favorite! You can be done in under and hour, and the short distances bring out more racers!!

  28. Rachel on April 3, 2013 at 5:14 pm

    I actually just ran my first 5k a few weeks ago and am just now really getting into running. For now, my favorite running distance is short (3ish miles) but I’m looking forward to doing a 10k at the end of the summer! 🙂

  29. Rachel on April 3, 2013 at 5:15 pm

    I tweeted about the giveaway! 🙂

  30. Sara on April 3, 2013 at 5:15 pm

    I love the 1/2 marathon! Hopefully this Women’s 1/2 in Tempe Scottsdale has a new course…the other one was BLAH!!!!

  31. Heather Q on April 3, 2013 at 5:16 pm

    My fav distance to run are half marathons! A good distance to push yourself without running for hours and hours.

  32. Lauren on April 3, 2013 at 5:19 pm

    I love running 8 miles!!

  33. Hilary on April 3, 2013 at 5:19 pm

    I love the half and full marathons! I’m a slow and steady type of runner instead of the fast and furious type that favors short distances..

  34. Britt on April 3, 2013 at 5:19 pm

    I’ve only ran a 5K, so I guess that’s my favorite to date 🙂 Looking forward to upping my distance!

  35. Tracey on April 3, 2013 at 5:20 pm

    I love running 5ks for time and running 5-10 miles when I feel like running for my workout

  36. Meagan on April 3, 2013 at 5:21 pm

    HI!

    Since I am fairly new to the running game I am working my way up to a 5k this spring! I also enjoy taking part in outdoor bootcamp style workouts and of course doing some trails on my bike! 🙂

  37. Stephanie @ LiveCookLove on April 3, 2013 at 5:22 pm

    My favorite running distance is 3 miles. Long enough to feel like I got a great run in, but short enough to actually get out there and do it! Anything longer than 3 miles always takes lots of pep talk before I head out!

  38. Julie on April 3, 2013 at 5:23 pm

    I love 10Ks, but I’m itching to do another half. A new Garmin would help!! 🙂

  39. kelly on April 3, 2013 at 5:23 pm

    I like six miles – it makes me feel like I got a good workout in, but it’s not so long that I’m worthless for the rest of the day.

  40. Erin B on April 3, 2013 at 5:24 pm
  41. Heather @fitncookies on April 3, 2013 at 5:25 pm

    I tweeted!

  42. Nicole on April 3, 2013 at 5:25 pm

    I haven’t run since getting pregnant and having the baby but have been itching to get back to it. Right now the only outdoor activity I get is walking the dog.

    I’d say the 5K is my favorite distance. I’ve “run” so many of them, but I didn’t truly RUN one until 2007. I’m hoping to get back into it so I can do a race this year- my first since 2008 when I messed up my back running a half marathon.

  43. Joyce on April 3, 2013 at 5:26 pm

    My favourite outdoor activity would have to be hiking in the mountains! I’ve only done it once, but man did I feel like I burned a ton of calories!!!! Even better feeling when you reach the top and see what you’ve achieved! 😀

  44. Heather @fitncookies on April 3, 2013 at 5:26 pm

    I would have to say 10k’s are my favorite, but you are so right! I can’t find too many around here!!

  45. Jen on April 3, 2013 at 5:28 pm

    5K’s are actually my favorite..short and sweet!

  46. Lisa on April 3, 2013 at 5:28 pm

    Hi Gina!
    My favorite distance is the half marathon! Enough to feel like a challenge, but not enough to leave your legs sore for days! If you’re ever looking to do a race in Virginia the Monument Avenue 10k in Richmond is one if my favorites!

  47. Katie on April 3, 2013 at 5:28 pm

    I love 5Ks! Short enough so that you don’t have to stress too much about training, but long enough to get in a good workout!

  48. Jen on April 3, 2013 at 5:29 pm

    Tweeted!

  49. Michaela on April 3, 2013 at 5:30 pm

    What an awesome AWESOME give away!!! Just last weekend I decided to get a Garmin to help me train for my first half! I had no idea they had a new purple one! Since I am solely running outside at the moment, I need something to keep track with. I really like 15K as a distance- long enough to not get bored, have fun and push myself a bit 🙂

  50. Kelly J on April 3, 2013 at 5:32 pm

    10k’s are my fave distance but I would say I usually only enter half marathons as an actual “race”. I am dying for a new Garmin!

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