Trying this again …

Hello Lovies …

I’m going to try to start this blog up again … I’ve been somewhat lax in my posting, relying on the excuse that I’m too busy at work, but, I still find myself spending plenty of time at the internet.  So, I think that means I have plenty of time to keep up with a blog!!!  This is my promise to try to post once a day

While I’ve been away from the blogging world, I’ve actually been making a lot of progress in both running and yoga … I’m nearing the end of my half marathon training for the Napa to Sonoma Half Marathon next month.  I’m still struggling with keeping a quick pace, but, I’ve been making it through my long runs without having to run, so, I think I’ll at least be able to run the whole thing.

Yoga has been amazing lately! My new beautiful yoga studio opened last month.  It has 3 large rooms, 80 classes a week and amazing teachers.  For the last year I’ve been inconsistent with my practice, but, in the last three weeks I’ve been making it to 6 classes a week!  I can already feel the difference in my body and I definitely notice a difference in my running.

Have a great night,

Amber

Trying to push beyond my comfort zone

Yesterday was a good day I went for a run in the morning and then did Jillian Michaels, 30 Day Shred, level 2 (my arms were already sore 2 hours later!) 

My run was a 30 minute run that is part of my training plan for the half marathon that I’m running in July!  Although this is my second half marathon, it kind of feels like my first.  I was in Europe for a month before I ran my first half marathon last year, so, I didn’t train properly and I really felt that I could have done better if I had been better prepared. 

This time I’m following the training plan in the book Marathons for Mortals.  Other than making a few tweaks so that the plan fits in to my schedule I’m really trying to follow the plan this time and I’m really trying to improve my pace, which is something that I’ve always found to be a challenge. 

When I run I tend to fall in to a comfortable 9-10 minute mile pace.  I still sweat and get red in the face, but, I certainly don’t feel that I’m working my hardest and there still feels like there is room to push myself.  But, when I try to pick up my pace I start getting worried about running too fast too soon and not having enough energy to finish the longer runs.  My hubby recommended that I do a few of my training runs on the dreadmill and use that to try to increase my pace, but, it would make me really sad to have to skip my outdoor runs now that the weather is so nice.

If you are a runner – how do you increase your pace?  Or, more generally, how do you push yourself past your comfort zone?