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
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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.
(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.
[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!
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!
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:
About half marathons + a training plan
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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4 miles is ideal for me!
I love 5Ks and 10Ks equally!
I tweeted your giveaway:)
I plan to train for and complete my first half marathon at the end of summer. 10K is my favorite race distance, 5 seems too easy and half too hard.
i wish there were more 10ks too!!
My Personal favorite distance is around 7 miles. Not too long (13.1) and not too short (5k), it is perfect for me. Speaking of, I need to get my butt in gear and start training for summer races.
I’ve run one half and loved it, but sprints make me feel strong and powerful!
I ran my first half marathon 2.5 weeks ago, and I am in LOVE! I loved that distance so much that I’ve already registered for my next one in October. Before my half, I loved 8ks and 10ks. I would LOVE a garmin to support my training!!!! 🙂 🙂
Just tweeted about the giveaway!
It makes me so jealous to read that you are training!! I’m an all or nothing type of gal so my first marathon ever was a full! I did train consistently and my favorite run was the 20 miler on my own before the race. I listened to an audio book the entire run, and it was absolute magic. Well, I was also running in San Diego at that time, so it’s magic regardless. 🙂
My favorite distance is 8 miles- long enough to reach the runners high and totally zone out, but short enough (for me) that after a good stretch I don’t feel totally worn out. The worst part of increasing mileage when training for a half marathon is when I reach the 10-12 mile training runs that leave me feeling drained the rest of the day. I hope I win the Garmin, I have been wanting one for the last 2 years!
I usually run a few 10ks a week. Definitely my favorite distance!
tweeted
I usually do 3 miles but 4 on a good day! I would love a garmin!
I’d say 5k 🙂 but right now I’m planning a duo marathon with my boyfriend in October, and I’ll have to run 16k!! So, that might be my new favourite distance 🙂
I confess that I am not a fan of running but I do love hiking, especially in Tucson!
I like running a 10k outside. I have run 2 half marathons, which were great but definitely required a great deal of training. I would do it again, but a 10k is easier for me to just go out and get after!
I ran my first 5k last year. I plan on running a couple more this year & possibly a 10k also. This would be awesome to help me train!
I have a love/hate relationship with running. I feel so powerful when I run 7 miles, but find myself going that distance only every few months. I guess consistently, my favorite distance is 4.5 miles, especially when I’m running with my mom!
I’m a 5K girl… 🙂
I’m getting back into running and working up to a 5k. I enjoy 5k’s but would love to work up to a 10K race this year. It’s still pretty cold here in Iowa, hopefully it will warm up for outdoor running soon.
Since I’ve recently moved to North Carolina from flat Florida, I’m adjusting to the higher altitudes and never ending supply of hills! In Florida the only hills I had to train with were bridges, and at sea level, I still wasn’t prepared for these mountains! I’ve had to shorten the lengths of my runs to half of what I was doing back home. However, I feel like I’m getting so much more out of my runs! My hamstrings and calves are letting me know!! I’m looking to run a 10k coming up in May. 10k is the distance of choice for me as I feel my best up to 6-7 miles.
I would have to say the 1-2 km distance, haha. I am 30 weeks pregnant, and it seems thats the best I can do before I start waddling like a duck or move my arms like im running but realize that I am just walking. Half marathons were a great distance pre-pregnancy, and I look forward to getting back into it, but for now the baby and I enjoy this distance 🙂
I tweeted, too!
tweeted! @bearcilla
I’m still a 5k girl working on getting to a 10k. A Garmin would help with that!
I love half marathons! I’m currently training for a full, which I enjoy, but halfs are the perfect medium between a long run and a speedy race for me. I’m not a fast runner, but my endurance is pretty good. I’m looking forward to see your training progress!
I’m working on running a 3.5 miles race with my coworkers, so I have to get in shape so I don’t look like a fool! I currently use my iphone to track my pace and distance, but have been looking into something like a Garmin because I think it would be more practical and precise. Trying to work up to a 10K and beyond!
The Garmin looks great – I do 5Ks but have been thinking of trying for a 10k. Maybe this summer…
Hmmm…I’d say four miles, but for races I love 5ks or half marathons!
I used to run longer distances (6 miles minimum), but have found lately that if I stick to 4 and under I can run more often and with less knee pain!
It used to be half marathon but now I’d probably say 10k! I’ll tell you for sure after I run two in April!
My favorite race distance is 26.2. I love the challenge of it and the roller coaster of emotions is causes. To run day to day, I like 5 milers. It feels like a longer run, but doesn’t take too long.
I ran a half marathon when I was first pregnant. It was killer! Now I’ve made it my goal to run a 10k this summer after my daughter is born. I love the 6, 7, and 8 mile range and I can’t wait to get back into running!
I’ve only done 5k’s, but I think I would enjoy the 10k distance as well. If I won this garmin my husband would be very happy because I would finally stop stealing his! 🙂
I really like 8Ks – the 5-ish miles is such a sweet spot for me. Easy to run, just long enough to push myself, but not enough to feel like I might die.
So far I’ve only done 5ks. I’m hoping to do an 8k this year though!
I have been toying with the idea of running my first half this year… I am NOT a runner… But for some reason feel the need to really want to challenge myself in a new way! I have been trying to incorporate a long run once a week into my workout schedule to see how my body feels. I’m up to 5 miles and am feeling good about it! I think you might have just sparked my interest even more with this post:) Happy training!
I’m itching to run a half marathon, but so far my favorite has been a ten-miler race.
I love the 10k distance too! I feel like it’s perfect. Not too short but not too long and I don’t have to train like a crazy person for them. I really think 6 miles is my sweet spot 🙂
I prefer around 15k. I feel like I really get into a groove around mile 5-6, and 15k is not so long that fueling becomes so important. I’ve never encountered an organized 15k though, sadly.
I tweeted the giveaway!
My favorite racing distance is a half marathon, though I love marathons too. Really any distance except for ultras…. I don’t have the time for that!!
I love the 5k distance 🙂 That purple color on the garmin is just lovely! Good luck with your training plan.
Right now I stick with 5k distances for my races, but I one of my running goals is to do a half marathon! I also hike and kayak almost every single weekend during the summer!
I love the 1/2 marathon! Hard enough to be a challenge but easy enough to train for.
5k for now. Though, a Garmin could help give me the motivation to go for longer distances!
5K will always be my favorite – short and sweet but still can be challenging if I want to push for time! Love the feeling of accomplishment of racing, but still having the rest of the day ahead of me 🙂
5Ks are my thing but I definitely want to work Up to a 10k.
That garmin would be great to win and the color is a fave!
Good luck with your marathon!
My best distance is anything under 10 miles. The army ten miler was one of my favorites!
xoxo, Grether