Rest Day Research

We're 83 days away from the Martinsville Half-Marathon and today is a rest day because it's raining. Secretly, I'm not complaining. "Rain, beautiful rain!" (Excuse #17?)

While browsing the App store on my iPhone I came across a free app called RunKeeper. It tracks your runs by mapping the route, keeping up with time and measuring the elevation that you climb while running. The app will import your own playlist of music and also gives verbal motivational cues telling you throughout the workout, how far you've run and what your pace is.

First Run - 84 Days Out

It's my grandfather's 86th birthday and we're 84 days away from the Martinsville Half-Marathon. After celebrating with family I reflect on the day hoping that I will be able to celebrate my own 86th birthday in the future. Part of the reason that I decided to train for and run in the race was for my physical well being to jump start my path back to being fit. Staying healthy is important to me. I'm doing this for myself but also for my son so that I can be there for him as he grows up.

Even though the official half-marathon training program does not begin until January 14th, I wanted to get started with small steps. It's now or never, right? I have the day off, my son is being taken care of by family... time to get started. I put on my new running outfit, lace up my shoes and strap on my iPhone with an arm band so that I can enjoy some motivational music.

Getting Ready

My number one concern about running in winter is the weather. I am a cold natured person to start with so I like being prepared and comfortable. While browsing Pinterest I found this great infographic by SparkPeople on how to layer up properly for running. It showed me that even though it feels chilly out, all I need for a 45 degree winter day is a base layer long sleeve shirt, a pullover or sweatshirt and running pants. No need to bundle up like a snow bunny when you are about to expend energy and heat things up!

Let the Journey Begin

Repeat after me..."I can run a half-marathon... I can run 13.1 miles... I can do this."

That was the synopsis of the internal pep-talk I had a few weeks ago after Brad Kinkema, the Executive Director of the Martinsville-Henry County YMCA, asked me to run the Martinsville Half-Marathon. It wasn't the first time he asked... Brad has been asking me to run for two years now!

To give you a little background, as the Director of Tourism for Martinsville-Henry County, Virginia, I've had some involvement with the Martinsville-Half Marathon, 5K & Relay ever since it's inception in 2011. It's a very popular event and many out of town visitors participate in it. Each year I have served on the race advisory committee to assist with marketing of the event and arrange lodging/shuttle packages for visiting runners. On race days my staff and I have manned cheering/music stations throughout the route. There is a small army of staffers, committee members and volunteers behind the scenes that make these races a success. The Martinsville Half-Marathon, 5K & Relay is a fun event and there is such a positive energy in the air but up until now I have been perfectly satisfied with my role on the sidelines.

I'm not a true runner. I've participated in a few 5Ks before and even completed the Harvest Moon Run 10K in 2011 as a personal challenge but I'm not a formally trained runner. Each time Brad asked if I would run the half-marathon in the past I would just laugh.