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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The half-marathon is definitely my favourite distance. It requires time management and dedication to train for, like a marathon, but doesn’t take over your life like marathon training can!
I tweeted too
I tweeted 🙂
I’ve been happily doing with 5Ks for fun. I decided this WILL be the year I challenge myself and complete a half-marathon. I just signed up for a half-marathon in September, along with the training program. I am looking forward to the group training, accountability and discipline. I would love a Garmin to train with me!
I love 10Ks for a longer, but still fun distance. However, there is something about pushing yourself for a half that creates such a sense of accomplishment!
I love 10K – not too short, not too long!
I enjoy the 5k race distance. I’m not all that fast, but I feel it’s a distance that I can really play around with speed and test my limit.
I tweeted! @mrsabacon
I just started running consistently about a year ago and signed up for my first half in May and 10k in June. I love my 4 mile training runs. They are just the right amount of length for speed and endurance without a large time commitment. And they make me feel really strong when I’m done.
I am torn between marathons and 100 milers. I know the latter sounds nuts and it’s stupidly painful, but there’s no better feeling than finishing a 100 miler.
I love the sense of accomplishment that comes with finishing a full marathon but half marathons are much more flexible and convenient to train for.
I’m half marathon training right now too! I have only done a 5k so far but my “long run” days are up to 10 miles. I’m out in San Diego so this often perfect weather is perfect for training long distances!
after a fairly large hiatus from running while i had my baby girl I’m back at it and also training for a half marathon! as of now a comfortable distance is roughly 10k. depending on the day lol.
Oh my gosh, I have never considered myself a runner. I loooooove biking, but just could not get myself excited about running. Until last week! I’ve been strength training in the cold months, bought myself some new sneakers, and decided that the first warm day of spring was the perfect time to give this whole running thing another shot. And what success! I did 6 miles without even realizing it. Such a good feeling 🙂 I might be hooked.
While I love the challenge and feeling of accomplishment of a marathon, half-marathon is my favorite. You are more likely to find a friend to do it with you, and you aren’t donezo after.
I really love the half marathon distance. The 13.1 miles is my max for distance training – I get bored really easily so the long runs for a half are manageable for me. God bless those who can marathon train – I know I would get so bored so fast and it’s so time consuming!
tweet tweet! I tweeted 🙂 @KissesandCookie
Love that you are doing this for yourself! I prefer the 10K if its a ‘race’ I’m doing~ I feel I can get into it without feeling disgruntled like I am with a 1/2.
I dont run because of my weak ankles… But i love to walk and hike outdoors… There is nothing like breathing the fresh air and doing something good for your body at the same time
I LOVE 10k races! My last one (which was only my second – ha!) was a bit rough but sometimes 5ks while fun seem too short! This weekend I’m running my first 1/2 marathon (ever!) so we’ll see if that becomes a favorite… 😉
And I tweeted! (@running_tall)
The farthest race I’ve run was a 15k. I feel like its a good distance because I actually had to train for it, whereas if it had been a 10k I probably wouldn’t have trained. I want to do a marathon, but I fihure I should try a half first! That purple color is awesome! I would love to win! I had a Garmin but it was in my backpack that got stolen when I was on vacation and I haven’t been able to replace it yet.
Half marathons are my favorite! I love training for them because i heart long runs!
I really love 5ks! I’m a pretty slow runner so that distance is still fun for me and doesn’t require much training 🙂
I’m definitely a fan of 10Ks! They are the perfect distance for me and are always a bit of a challenge. I would love the Garmin Forerunner!! I’ve been wanting one for so long. I always just have to use apps on my phone to track my distances which can get annoying.
My fav distance would have to be the half marathon distance — it’s definitely challenging but that’s what i love about it!!!!! thanks for hosting such a great giveaway!
My favorite outdoor workout (though not necessarily an outdoor workout but whenever I do it outside I have more fun) is plyometrics. Killer leg workout and I’m always sore afterwards. I really want to start running since it’ll be summer soon. I used to but it’s been awhile. Anyways, GREAT GIVEAWAY!!!
I really like 15ks or 10 milers. They require me to push myself more than in a 10k, but a litttttle bit less than a half 🙂
Also, I tweeted 😉
I’m trying to get motivated to train for a half marathon as well (my first!) and this would definitely help 🙂 My dream has always been to run one but things (pregnancy etc) always seemed to get in the way when I was actually making progress with training. I’m definitely ready to start again!
My favorite running distance is definitely the 5k because running for me helps keep me fit for all of my favorite outdoor activities but isn’t my passion. Long hikes and backpacking are my favorite. I’m actually preparing for a 5 night backpacking trip this summer and the garmin would be an awesome addition to my gear! Thanks so much for your wonderful blog and fun giveaways!!!
I tweeted….Well okay my pet bunny tweeted. I don’t have a twitter but my brother made one for her, so I tweet for her. I would adore the purple garmin! That shade of purple is my favorite color! And I love watching the miles tick by on double digit runs!!! =)
My favorite distance is 10+ miles!
I prefer 5k’s, I like that they are easy to train for now that I am a mom to a 14 month old girl. I think anything longer an she would go crazy in the stroller.
I love running 10K’s the most!
my favorite distance used to be half marathons, but i’ve been a bit partial to 10ks since i ran my first one in november. i’d love to win this garmin because my birthday is on friday! 🙂
And I tweeted too!
I love the half marathon distance, but just did a 17.75K two weeks ago (11.03 miles) and really loved that too…probably because 11 miles is about where I want to die in a half marathon. Ha ha!
My favorite distance is 4 miles!
Half marathons are my favorite!
I love the half marathon. It is a challenge but it also is a very manageable distance to train for and the recovery is so much easier than the marathon.
A friend told me about your blog a few weeks ago and now I’m hooked! I love reading your workouts and giving them a try. I’m training for my first half marathon on my 30th birthday! I think reading all your ideas about how to cross-train is really going to help – thank you for all your motivation!!
P.S. Purple is my favorite color! 🙂
I love the 10K distance,
Laura
I love 5ks because there are so many fun themed races!
My favorite running distance is definitely the 10-k since I can keep the run/race to under an hour and get on with my weekend. I’m attempting my first half marathon this summer, so maybe I’ll change my mind…
Oh…I would love to win a Garmin…I have been researching them and didn’t know which one to buy! My new favorite running distance is the 5K…I used to love running 5 miles, but two kids later…the 5K is perfect for me! Now I run 5Ks and try to improve my time on each one.
I agree 10K are the perfect distance.
I love half marathons- I love the distance but its not too long to increase the risk of overuse injuries!
I have been an avid gym-goer for the past 6 years. I usually just cross train or HIIT train, but have recently started running 5Ks. My boyfriend is a marathon runner (and triathlete – yikes!) so it would be nice for us to run a half marathon together. (PS Purple is my favorite color!!)
I like 10Ks- they are easily trainable, and you feel good enough to go for brunch after!
10ks. I love being done before an hour is up, but the shorter distances seem too short to get really sweaty.