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.]
2,124 Comments
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My favorite distance is 6 miles, I run that every morning before work and it gets me going for the day!! Hoipe I win!!!
I’ve never entered a race but I hope to do a 5k this year. I love going for long walks with my fiance on sunny days. Or doing circuit / boot camps outside!
I love running the distance of the half marathon the most, but nothing feels as amazing as finishing a full marathon! So all in all, I cant decide.
I’m training for the Cleveland half in may!! I looooove a good 10k. It’s just long enough to feel like a runner but short enough to do multiple times a month!
10k for sure!
My fav distance is 10k. Although I’m hoping to make it 13.1 soon. 🙂
Oh I am loving purple these days, that Garmin is adorable! My favorite distance for the road would have to be the marathon at this point, it’s such a challenge and I feel I can really see my training pay off and there’s enough time to really get a feel for the pace. But I really love the shorter trail races, 5-15k, they are fast and furious and pacing goes out the window with the all the ups and downs and messy single track. We’ve got some great local trail race series starting soon and I can’t wait!
I’ve never run a 10K race, but I’d really like to try it sometime! I liked the half I ran, but the training was a bit much with my schedule. I bet I’ll do another some day though!
I love to bike. 10 miles is nice for me.
My fav running distance is a good 5k, favourite race distance is 10K, and Im training for my first half marathon this fall with my Mom who has always wanted to run a half-marathon but thinks she’s “getting too old”, but we’re training together and she’s so inspiring! (We kind of have a mutual “well if you can do it I can do it” haha) its a great motivator!
I love running 4 or 5 miles!
I love 4 milers when I’m not training, but enjoy right around 8 miles when I am training!
I love 10ks!
I have not seen the purple yet. I love it! I have a 305 that has been great, but is probably on its last leg.
My favorite distance is definitely the half. I’m not fast but I’m addicted to them. I’ve run 11 total with 9 being between Oct 2011 and Sept 2012. I just ran one 2 weeks ago and for now I don’t have any on schedule. Although I do need an Arizona race to knock of my 50 State goal so the Women’s Half is tempting, but I’m trying really hard to save money to pay off debt/pay for my wedding. So traveling for a race is kind of out for now.
I honestly enjoy running somewhere around 3 to 4 miles. I’m hoping this summer to bring my runs outdoors (treadmills are getting boring) and improve on my distance. I’ve been eyeing Garmins for awhile but don’t have the extra $ right now.
I love the half marathon distance, if I’m going to pay the reg. fee and put in the work, I want the activity to be long enough so I feel spent and drained at the end!
My big bulky Forerunner 210 died last fall, a new one is in order!
Hi!!! Long time reader, first time commenter! I think my favorite distance on a daily basis would be 5 miles. It’s my sweet spot. I did love the feeling of crossing the finish line at my first half in September though! Bittersweet, happy it was over but sad it was over, all at the same time! Best of luck on your race too!
I was just starting to run last year, when I sprained my ankle very badly. I’m hoping to start running again this spring, once things calm down at work. Until then, I walk — to and from work, to and from yoga, and for fun after work.
Hi
I just started to run again after an injury which forced me to take a break from running. I registered for a 10k in nov so ill have plenty of time to train. It’s crazy how fast you can lose your distance, I use to run 6 every other day and now I can barely do 2. Other outdoor exercise I love is biking. Btw you’re blog helped me get stronger during my injury and I feel so much stronger. Thanks
I’m not a seasoned runner but am working on my stamina! My favorite outdoor activity, however, is cycling… but this Garmin would help motivate me to pound the pavement! Good luck with your training!
I like the 10k distance as well. Long enough to be challenging, but not too long that you feel overwhelmed with building up to the 6 mi. I want to try a 10 mi race next! Not quite sure I’m mentally ready for a half although I have a brother who keeps asking me to!
my fave is a 5K, love the running, not so hot at the distance 🙂
Btw.. I tweeted!!
Tweeted!
I love 10ks, but a half marathon is my ultimate challenge. It takes discipline and commitment and feels AMAZING when crossing the finish line 🙂
I LOVE running 5 miles- for some, that might not seem like a lot, but to me, it feels like a HUGE accomplishment that’s achievable but yet challenging. I’ve only run one half marathon so far but I hope to work my way up to another! <3 I feel like a Garmin could really help encourage me to take my runs off the treadmill and outside!! 🙂
I love 5Ks because I finally feel like I’ve gotten the hang of them, but I also love 10Ks since they push me a bit more. Still workin’ up the courage to do a half, though!
I love 5 k! But have a 10 k goal as well!
I am not a runner but love to go on walks with my husband and our three year old in the Bob stroller.
Thanks for the chance!
Sounds like a fun race! (And a good chance for people who aren’t lucky to live in Arizona an excuse to go!)
My favourite distance to run is about 12km relaxed. To race, I enjoy anything that isn’t too painful! I’ve done a couple Ironmans and enjoy the marathon at the end. There’s no time pressure for me at that point!
5Ks are much more my speed, as I’ve only started running. I’m trying to add some distance to amp up my steady cardio! It also totally awesome for Garmin to sponsor the giveaway!
I tweeted about the giveaway. @Dean923
I love half marathon distance! Its work, you will have to commit and train for it, but its not as time consuming/intense as a full marathon.
I’m going to do a 5k this weekend and they’re so much fun!
TWEETED! (@RebeccaRuns)
I am also training for a half, this will be my third one. I’ve found that each week when I do my long run that distance becomes my favorite. Such a great feeling to run further than you thought you could!
My fave run is the 10K – not too short, but not too long!
I’m recovering from an injury, so I’m working my way back up to a 5/10k by doing some trail running (trying to stay off the concrete)!
I LOVE to walk outdoors! I also really love to bike. 🙂
I don’t love distance running, but I love jogging on the trails!
I love 10Ks too, they require me to train a little bit, and they’re a bigger challenge than a 5K, without having to train for weeks and weeks like you do with a half marathon.
I wish my body would like running…too many injuries so I stick with walking outdoors. It’s especially fun with the family and dog and would be even more fun with purple Garmin!
i love frisbee 🙂
Oh, and I tweeted about the giveaway!
I love that purple!! Right now, I’m pretty happy with an 8k. It’s long enough that it’s not just a 5k but short enough that I don’t get too worried for it. I remember when you wrote about being intimidated by certain distances even though you’d just run a similar distance the week before, and I’m EXACTLY that way about anything over 8 miles.
Would it be a shocker if i said im not a huge fan of running? However, my little one is 10 weeks and I am itching to purchase a Bob so I can get out of the house. Before baby I would take the dogs running about three miles. That is the longest I can handle before dying of boredom. However, put me on a beach and I could run for days! I signed up for a gym yesterday in efforts to lose the last of the baby weight and there is an inside track! I have never had that option before and i think it will really help motivate me 🙂
I tweeted ya!
My favorite distance is the 10K!
I love 10k’s or 7 to 8 miles.
My favorite distance is a 5-miler, but those races are hard to find!