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.
(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
Leave a Comment
This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.
I have never been a runner… I would even avoid it as a child. But it’s always been something I aspire to. I’ve done two 5ks (walking/running) and loved them. After I recover from having my baby my dream is to start training and become the runner I never was 🙂
My fave outdoor workout is swimming.
Oooh, a garmin would be so nice! Right now I use an app on my phone (map my run) to track my distance, but lugging my phone around on a run isn’t always ideal. I love a good 10k. I feel like I get a crazy good workout, but its tricky to pace yourself and also push yourself for 6.2 miles! I’ve been training for one on a treadmill all winter, but the weather is FINALLY getting nicer here in MInnesota so I can start taking my runs outside. I have about 4 weeks until my race!
I tweeted, too!
I tweeted too 🙂 @healthy_cupcake
I’m training for my first half-marathon over Memorial week-end. I’ve only ever done a 5k so that’s been my favorite distance so far. Every time I finish my long runs I can’t believe that I’ve done it. My favorite outdoor activity is hiking.
And I tweeted about it! @rundreamcook!
https://twitter.com/rundreamcook/status/319459308788146176
(btw, loving the gorgeous purple color!)
Love this!!! Good luck with your training.
I have a Marathon relay coming up in 4 weeks and I am running the final leg which is 4.2 miles. After running a half marathon, I’ve decided 5k’s or a little more are my favorite. It’s just long enough to get into a groove without totally wiping me out!
I love 10K’s but there are far too few of them in my area! I think its been almost a year since I ran an “official” race! Now that the weather is getting nicer i think its about time to sign up for one 🙂 Thanks for the motivation, Gina!
Also I just tweeted!! LOVE THAT COLOR!
I usually stick to 5ks but since I have had issues with my knees I don’t run too often. Instead I take body pump and boot camps!
I love running a 10k. I keep telling myself that I will run a half marathon and then never do. I need to get motivated!!
My favorite running distance in 4 miles. Weird, I know, but where I live actually has a few 4 mile races a year! Thanks for such a great giveaway!
I tweeted too!
My favorite running distance are 5k’s because I am not really a runner (yet). My favorite outdoor workout is hiking! I love being outside and seeing nature and getting a good workout all at the same time.
I tweeted. 🙂
I tweeted 🙂
My favorite outdoor workout is hiking – lots of work for a great view payoff 🙂
My favorite distance has become 13.1. 🙂
Love you, Gina! Thanks for the giveaway!
I love a good 3-4 miles. I hope to one day run a half marathon but I’m just not ready for that yet.
Good luck on your training!!
I tweeted!!!
I always wish I could be a consistent runner. Though my absolute favorite outdoor workout would be hiking!
I love running outside! Half marathon training too, I’m up to 8 miles without stopping! 🙂 so that’s my favorite distance since its as far as I can go now:)
I’m not sure I’ve been running long enough to truly have a favorite distance yet…but, I did love running a half-marathon last year. I think for ‘regular’ runs, the 5-6 mile run is my sweet spot–just enough of a warm-up to get loose and enjoy the run, but not so long that I get intimidated by the distance.
My favorite distance is 3 miles. My longest run is 10 miles and I love training for that! Maybe one day I will be brave enough to attempt a half marathon! 🙂
I’m not a runner, but would like to get to the point where I can do some short runs! My favorite outdoor workout right now is walking! When the weather is beautiful, I can’t wait to get out for a nice long walk! The weather definitely affects how I feel about any workouts! LOL
I tweeted! @aisforbeautiful
I tweeted as well!
I tweeted!
I don’t necessarily have a favorite race — definitely not the marathon! 🙂 I was a one and done with that distance b/c of the time commitment for training (and then the pain at the finish!) I’d love the purple Garmin – my favorite color!
I’ve recently started running again and have been thinking about making a purchase like this. It’s been almost 2 years since I’ve run regularly (& I was never fast to begin with), so I started from scratch with the “couch to 5k” schedule. I’m only on week 2, but I’m looking forward to being able to comfortably run 5k by the end of the summer.
My favorite distance distance to run is 5 Miles. For me its the perfect amount of time to zone out the brain!
I’m currently training for my first 5k, so I guess that’s my favorite distance!
What an awesome giveaway! My favorite run is 5 miles, the distance around the lake by my house. Beautiful scenery and fresh air can’t be beat!
I love long runs that are 10 miles or longer. It’s just something about double digit runs that feels so good!
My favorite distance for a race is a 5K, but I’m not a very good runner. Lately I’ve just been repeating my P90X2 DVDs, which I enjoy, because they work everything! My favorite outdoor activity would be doing yard work or walking the dogs (not that either of those are an intense workout!). I love your website, keep up the great work!
Anything between 7-10 miles is perfect. Anything longer just isn’t as enjoyable!
10 k is definitely my favourite!!
I have a pretty short attention span, so 5ks are definitely my thing!
10k’s are my absolute favorite. But you are right, I feel like they are really hard to find! I have started liking 5k’s more lately! I have done one half and while I loved the accomplishment, the training seems to become all encompassing sometimes!
I love running 5 milers and 10K races, but I’d like to do another 1/2 marathon this year!
I love doing the Zumba workouts. I hope to start running soon!
I tweeted about wanting to win the Garmin from you!! I can’t wait to be able to really track my progress!!
This would be awesome! I actually just started my running journey and have my first 5k this summer!!
I really love the half marathon distance and will be running one this weekend as part of my training for my first marathon in May! You should check out the book “Train Like A Mother” for some entertaining reading and practical tips as well as some great training plans!!
Just started running half marathons and love it! The distance is challenging but achievable.
Good luck with your training schedule! Maybe I’ll follow along and be ready for my own half in the fall, exciting to think about since I’ve never run that distance. I’d have to agree with you, 10k are my favorite. Happy (train) Running to Us!
Love my Garmin for outdoor runs and would love to have a new one especially in that purple- just tweeted! 🙂
My favorite distance for an typical workout is 4 miles- feels like an accomplishment to me but isn’t too exhausting. For an organized event my favorite is a 10K but I think that’s because I haven’t had the time or energy to train for anything longer.
I tweeted the giveaway! (@cellophane_star)
I love running 10k but I’m starting to enjoy half marathons. My goal is to come in under 2 hours for a half marathon 🙂