My Newest Fitness Goal

Last night I tweeted and Instagram-ed a picture from our first lakeside run of the spring season. The weather was glorious yesterday, and I couldn’t help but stop at one of my favorite “bends” (near the Adler Planetarium) to show you one of the best views of the city.

What the photo failed to mention is why I was out running. Yes, it’s one of my favorite ways to exercise, but there was more to it than just a joy run and I’m excited to tell you the reason.

Drumroll, please…

Bobby and I will be running the 2012 North Shore Half Marathon!

It still hasn’t fully hit me, but I am equal parts excited and terrified. One of my goals for this year is to run two half marathons, and this race will get me “half” way there. I was debating between several different races in Chicago, but when I heard how scenic the North Shore race is, I decided that venturing out of the city was the best way to go.

Fortunately I will have a running buddy, as Bobby has agreed to tackle the race with me! Last night was our first training run. I created the plan using Runner’s World Smart Coach, which I highly recommend for any race, no matter what the distance.

To keep us accountable, I am sharing this training plan with all of you. As soon as I hit “publish” on the post I will be adding it to my Workouts page, which is newly updated with past fitness journeys, plus more background on my overall philosophy on exercise and how that philosophy came to be.

I’d love to hear your feedback on the page if you’re interested in checking it out. Let me know if there is anything else that would be helpful to add. Without further ado, I present to you my North Shore Half Marathon training plan!

Training Plan: North Shore Half Marathon

Note: The days of the week not listed in the below tables are meant to be either rest/recovery or cross-training days. I plan to take Mondays as rest days and do cross-training (namely the elliptical, spin bike or weight training) on Wednesdays and Saturdays.

WEEK 1: 15 Mi
Wed Mar 14 Tempo Run Dist: 5 Mi, Warm; 3 Mi @ 8:57; Cool
Fri Mar 16 Easy Run Dist: 2 Mi @10:32
Sun Mar 18 Long Run Dist: 8 Mi @10:32

 

WEEK 2: 17 Mi
Tue Mar 20 Easy Run Dist: 3 Mi @10:30
Thu Mar 22 Speedwork Dist: 4 Mi, Warm; 2×1600 in 8:25 w/800 jogs; Cool
Fri Mar 23 Easy Run Dist: 2 Mi @10:30
Sun Mar 25 Long Run Dist: 8 Mi @10:30

 

WEEK 3: 18 Mi
Tue Mar 27 Easy Run Dist: 2 Mi @10:28
Thu Mar 29 Tempo Run Dist: 5 Mi, Warm; 3 Mi @ 8:53; Cool
Fri Mar 30 Easy Run Dist: 2 Mi @10:28
Sun Apr 1 Long Run Dist: 9 Mi @10:28

 

WEEK 4: 19 Mi
Tue Apr 3 Easy Run Dist: 2 Mi @10:27
Thu Apr 5 Tempo Run Dist: 5 Mi, Warm; 3 Mi @ 8:52; Cool
Fri Apr 6 Easy Run Dist: 2 Mi @10:27
Sun Apr 8 Long Run Dist: 10 Mi @10:27

 

WEEK 5: 15 Mi
Tue Apr 10 Easy Run Dist: 4 Mi @10:25
Thu Apr 12 Easy Run Dist: 4 Mi @10:25
Fri Apr 13 Easy Run Dist: 3 Mi @10:25
Sun Apr 15 Easy Run Dist: 4 Mi @10:25

 

WEEK 6: 20 Mi
Tue Apr 17 Easy Run Dist: 3 Mi @10:25
Thu Apr 19 Speedwork Dist: 4 Mi, Warm; 2×1600 in 8:20 w/800 jogs; Cool
Fri Apr 20 Easy Run Dist: 3 Mi @10:25
Sun Apr 22 Long Run Dist: 10 Mi @10:25

 

WEEK 7: 21 Mi
Tue Apr 24 Easy Run Dist: 3 Mi @10:23
Thu Apr 26 Tempo Run Dist: 5 Mi, Warm; 3 Mi @ 8:48; Cool
Fri Apr 27 Easy Run Dist: 3 Mi @10:23
Sun Apr 29 Long Run Dist: 10 Mi @10:23

 

WEEK 8: 22 Mi
Tue May 1 Easy Run Dist: 3 Mi @10:21
Thu May 3 Tempo Run Dist: 6 Mi, Warm; 4 Mi @ 8:52; Cool
Fri May 4 Easy Run Dist: 2 Mi @10:21
Sun May 6 Long Run Dist: 11 Mi @10:21

 

WEEK 9: 18 Mi
Tue May 8 Easy Run Dist: 5 Mi @10:19
Thu May 10 Easy Run Dist: 4 Mi @10:19
Fri May 11 Easy Run Dist: 4 Mi @10:19
Sun May 13 Easy Run Dist: 5 Mi @10:19

 

WEEK 10: 23 Mi
Tue May 15 Easy Run Dist: 3 Mi @10:19
Thu May 17 Speedwork Dist: 6 Mi, Warm; 3×1600 in 8:16 w/800 jogs; Cool
Fri May 18 Easy Run Dist: 3 Mi @10:19
Sun May 20 Long Run Dist: 11 Mi @10:19

 

WEEK 11: 24 Mi
Tue May 22 Easy Run Dist: 3 Mi @10:18
Thu May 24 Tempo Run Dist: 6 Mi, Warm; 4 Mi @ 8:48; Cool
Fri May 25 Easy Run Dist: 3 Mi @10:18
Sun May 27 Long Run Dist: 12 Mi @10:18

 

WEEK 12: 25 Mi
Tue May 29 Easy Run Dist: 3 Mi @10:16
Wed May 30 Easy Run Dist: 2 Mi @10:16
Thu May 31 Tempo Run Dist: 6 Mi, Warm; 4 Mi @ 8:47; Cool
Fri Jun 1 Easy Run Dist: 2 Mi @10:16
Sun Jun 3 Long Run Dist: 12 Mi @10:16

 

WEEK 13: 23 Mi
Tue Jun 5 Easy Run Dist: 3 Mi @10:14
Wed Jun 6 Easy Run Dist: 3 Mi @10:14
Thu Jun 7 Speedwork Dist: 4 Mi, Warm; 2×1600 in 8:11 w/800 jogs; Cool
Sun Jun 10 Race Day 13.1 Mi @8:52 Time: 1:56:

 

It’s going to be an exciting few months. If there is anyone out there who is doing the race or is interested in running it, definitely let me know! I would love to see you at the starting line.

What is your current fitness goal?

No turning back for me now. Here we goooooooo! 🙂

Abrazos,

25 Comments

  1. YAYYYYY! You guys are going to rock it! Go Jenn and Bobby! I love looking at different people’s training schedules. I’m doing the Runner’s World Beginner Guide, and it has be running similar days but varying mileage. My half is May 6, less than 60 days away, eep!

    • Thank you, Rose!!!! You made me even more excited. 🙂 Your race is coming up quick – that’s awesome! I know you are going to rock it.

  2. Yay Jenn! So glad to hear you’re training for another half!!! I hope it’s a great race and that you have fun training with Bobby!

  3. Woo hoo you go! That’s around what my time goal will be for my June half (Rock ‘n Sole Summerfest, on the 23rd). I’m more nervous for the heat than anything, especially with how warm it is now!! 🙂

    • Oh my – I totally want to run Summerfest sometime! I love Summerfest! My parents used to take me there every summer when I was little and I danced on the picnic tables, haha. 🙂 I’m nervous for the heat, too. But we’re going to rock it.

  4. So fun that you two are doing this together! Looks like a gorgeous spot to run too. I need to think of a new fitness goal….

  5. Ohhhhh I’m so excited for you Jenn!!!! Training for 1/2 marathons are the best! I’m jealous!

    My fitness goal right now is to get my hip better so I can run…and strengthen it in the meantime because that’s what it needs to heal!

    • I’m sending positive hip vibes your way, lady! I can’t wait for the next time we get to run a race together. It’s going to happen! 🙂

    • Those are both fantastic goals! Best of luck with your final weeks of training – and hurray for your wedding! 🙂

  6. Woohoo! Congrats on registering! I love scenic races : ) I’m running a half marathon tomorrow (ek!) but after that my fitness goal is to get back into regular yoga!

  7. What a fantastic goal! I think it’s a great idea to train with your significant other–it creates an added dimension to your bond somehow. If we can ever figure out a time when one of us isn’t injured I’d love to run a race with Seth someday.

    • I definitely agree! This is the first time Bobby and I will be training together, so it promises to be an adventure. I have no doubt you and Seth will both be injury-free at the same time someday. 🙂

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