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. Phoebe on April 4, 2013 at 4:53 pm

    I love a long hike with the family and puppers.

  2. Kristian F on April 4, 2013 at 4:53 pm

    That Garmin is so cute!!! 🙂 My favorite running distance is now a half marathon! I ran my first one in February… The Disney Princess Half in Disney World! It was to most amazing experience and feeling ever! Don’t get me wrong it was hard but I loved every 1 hour and 56 minutes of it 😉 I am going to continue to run long distances and this would be great for my runs instead of my husbands old wrist watch!

  3. Erin on April 4, 2013 at 4:56 pm

    I love running ten miles. Something about reaching double digits is enough to keep me motivated but without feeling like I am spending too much time running around like a crazy person 🙂

  4. Erin on April 4, 2013 at 4:57 pm

    I just tweeted the giveaway too!

  5. Stevi on April 4, 2013 at 5:10 pm

    I LOVE running 5milers! They rock my world!

  6. Barb Mc on April 4, 2013 at 5:17 pm

    My favorite distance is probably a 10K. I’ve only done one 1/2 but hope to do another one soon! Thanks for the giveaway!

  7. Barb Mc on April 4, 2013 at 5:22 pm

    I tweeted about the giveaway!

  8. Theresa J on April 4, 2013 at 5:24 pm

    I love 5k. I hate long distances probably because I used to be a smoker

  9. Melanie on April 4, 2013 at 5:33 pm

    My favorite is probably the 5k so far, but I’d love to try longer distances, and that garmin would be super motivation to get out there and move! I love that purple color too!!

  10. Tonia on April 4, 2013 at 5:41 pm

    My favorite running distance is 5 miles!

  11. Stacy on April 4, 2013 at 5:44 pm

    I am just starting to run regularly so right now a 5k is the perfect distance! I am working on getting up to a 10k!

  12. Linda on April 4, 2013 at 5:58 pm

    I like 10ks. I’ve only run one, but I’m slow so it didn’t take too long. I trained for a half marathon last fall. Well, I tried to train for a half marathon last fall. I ended up not running it because I didn’t feel prepared enough since I didn’t really put in the miles…or any other sort of aerobic exercise. Aiming for this fall on that one though. We have a Rock and Roll half coming to the city so I think that would be amazing.

  13. april on April 4, 2013 at 6:01 pm

    i love the half distance!!

  14. april on April 4, 2013 at 6:01 pm

    I also tweeted. 🙂 way to go training, i know you can do it!

  15. Jeanne on April 4, 2013 at 6:01 pm

    I love taking walks outside with my music. So relaxing!

  16. Chelsea on April 4, 2013 at 6:02 pm

    I love the 15k distance but those seem to be very rare!

  17. Emily on April 4, 2013 at 6:06 pm

    I love running 10Ks! I jut ran one with my sister the day before Easter wearing bunny ears 🙂

  18. Kelli on April 4, 2013 at 6:12 pm

    Hi Gina,

    My favorite distance is whenever I beat a personal record (longer mileage, faster time, incorporate new hills etc!). I’ve never actually ran a half marathon before but I’ve been looking and looking for one I can knock out before my wedding in mid November and start training for after I finally make it back to AZ from graduate school in Cali (I was a wildcat undergrad!!!! woot woot). You have inspired me to run the Women’s Running Series too!!!!!! (It will be good stress relief for all the wedding planing!!!!!)

    Kelli

  19. Kelli on April 4, 2013 at 6:14 pm

    Okay I tweeted too (@chewby23) this would be so cool to train with!!!!

  20. Ebony on April 4, 2013 at 6:30 pm

    I love running half marathons! I PR’d my last half by 28 minutes.

  21. natalie on April 4, 2013 at 6:46 pm

    I still consider myself a wannabe runner, after losing 50lbs I’m super excited I can run over a mile all the way through! So right now I’m all about 5k since with just a little walking I can get them done! I’ve already done one so far this year and have 2 planned for May. My goal is to get good at 5k and more up to 10ks by the end of summer. I have a thing for the number 6 😉

  22. Kelly on April 4, 2013 at 6:47 pm

    1) I’m not a big runner, so officially i’d have to say 5k because that’s all i’ve done, favorite outdoor workout would be playing volleyball though

  23. Kelly on April 4, 2013 at 6:47 pm

    I tweeted! 🙂

  24. Yolande on April 4, 2013 at 6:52 pm

    I love 10 km runs 🙂 there the perfect distance for me. Enough of a challenge, but not so physically demanding I feel like I need a few weeks off training afterwards haha. I find the training leading up to a 10 km race is also easier.

  25. Rachel on April 4, 2013 at 7:03 pm

    I’m not much of a runner (yet!) but I do enjoy walking and hiking outdoors. Love the new purple color!

  26. Carrie C. in VA on April 4, 2013 at 7:06 pm

    my fave running distance is 10K… would love to win the garmin to help get train and back up to that distance again!

  27. Brandy on April 4, 2013 at 7:07 pm

    I’m not much into running but in the summer i’ll get out and do it for the heck of it… My favorite outdoor activity would have to be snowshoeing or hiking 🙂

  28. Megan on April 4, 2013 at 7:15 pm

    Right now, I’m loving 4-5 miles. I have a hard time doing much more since becoming pregnant!

  29. Melissa on April 4, 2013 at 7:22 pm

    I’ve only done 5ks and 1/2s but I think a 10k would be the perfect distance for my next race.

  30. tami on April 4, 2013 at 7:24 pm

    Hands down…13.1 miles us my favorite distance. In 7 miles I have run 20 half marathons

  31. Crystal on April 4, 2013 at 7:27 pm

    10k is my favorite racing distance, but for a casual easy run I enjoy 10-12 miles on a warm spring day.

  32. Jenna on April 4, 2013 at 7:33 pm

    I love the half marathon distance! It’s long enough to get a good pace going but not so long I want to give up and die! Ha! Good luck with your training 🙂

  33. Jialin Zhang on April 4, 2013 at 7:34 pm

    My favorite distance? The 10k! It’s the perfect test of speed AND endurance.

  34. Ilene on April 4, 2013 at 7:38 pm

    Love 5Ks!

  35. Ilene on April 4, 2013 at 7:39 pm

    tweeted!

  36. Heather on April 4, 2013 at 7:41 pm

    My favorite distance is the half marathon. Much easier to train for than a full and then you can still enjoy yourself after the race!

  37. Jen on April 4, 2013 at 7:58 pm

    I’m not a runner – yet! I’m working on completing the Couch to 5k program right now, but hopefully I’ll be busting out longer distances in the future!

  38. Janet on April 4, 2013 at 8:03 pm

    I like the 5k. Still learning to love running 😉

  39. Lindsay on April 4, 2013 at 8:11 pm

    I am currently loving training for my quarter marathon

  40. Ann on April 4, 2013 at 8:13 pm

    Proud of myself, running 3 miles 4x a week with strength training! Long runs I aim for 5 miles. Nothing like running, makes me feel alive!

  41. Alicia on April 4, 2013 at 8:20 pm

    I tweeted about the giveaway!

  42. Lisa on April 4, 2013 at 8:20 pm

    My favorite distance is a solid 5 miles. Feels like the right amount of distance to get pumped and feel the burn!!

  43. Katie F. on April 4, 2013 at 8:20 pm

    I am training for a half, and have to map my run out ahead of time, so a garmin watch would come in handy so much!

  44. KristenB on April 4, 2013 at 8:22 pm

    I would love a garmin! My favorite distance is definitely around 6 miles. I feel like I can conquer it in an hour and feel like I got a good workout in!

  45. Ellie on April 4, 2013 at 8:22 pm

    I run 5 miles a few times a week. I would love to run a 10k! And I am hoping to run a half marathon later in the year. It’s been so nice with the great weather we’ve been having lately!!

  46. Nicole on April 4, 2013 at 8:22 pm

    I’ve recently started running again after a forced year off. I really love a 5k as my go to distance but am thinking about training for a 1/2 marathon. I was forced to stop running while training for one. I’ve got the itch!

  47. Nicole on April 4, 2013 at 8:23 pm

    I tweeted! 🙂

  48. Lisa on April 4, 2013 at 8:23 pm

    Just tweeted!!! 🙂

  49. Amie on April 4, 2013 at 8:24 pm

    I’m just getting back into running (post-baby), but before the babe I loved doing 10K’s. One of my personal fitness goals is to run a half marathon someday. 🙂

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