Here comes the half marathon...

hanako

hanako

New member
So...for some stupid unknown reason, I decided today, about 1 1/2 hours ago actually, that I am going to enter into a half marathon. Its 10 weeks away, and although it may take me 10 hours to finish the damn thing, I'm sure as hell going to give it my best shot.

Here's me at the moment:
20 years old
full time university student
part time bar tender
height: 176cm
weight: 83kgs
BMI: 26.8 (overweight)

I've found a training schedule online which has 5 days training, 2 rest days per week and incorporates cross-training, tempo runs, intervals, long runs and active recovery which starts on monday (4 days time).
Along with training, the other challenge for me will be food.
So I'm going to be recording everything I eat, drink, and do for at least the next 10 weeks.

My goal by the end of that period will be to run the half marathon in under 3 hours (I may revise this goal, I have no idea how long it should take me!!?? - any advice is welcome).
I'm hoping to be at least around 75kgs after the 10 weeks, and then continue on to lose the 5kgs in the following 5 weeks...but we'll get to that later.


Here goes...:willy_nilly:
 
Hey there!
Wow, a half marathon? That's an awesome goal!!
I love to run, but the max I ever want to do is 12k. (^^;; )
Can't wait to follow your progress!

I think 3 hours is a pretty good goal, if you are not used to running at all. I think, though that with training for 10 weeks, you probably have a good chance of making it close to 2 hours! At least, that's what one of my friends did last year. Good luck!
 
Are you new to running? I am doing my first half marathon this weekend and I'm assuming I will finish in about 2 1/2 hours. Check your pace. If you run a 10 minute pace, it should take you a little over 2 hours. This is my pace but I'm giving myself a little room for water breaks. Good luck with your training! :)

~ Sarah
 
hey guys! cheers for the feedback.
goodluck in your half marathon this weekend sarah! cant wait to hear how it goes. im not too new to running, i've always been into sports and have been running a bit over the past couple of months so im sure i can do a decent time after a couple of months intense training.

Just though i would fill in how my first few days have gone:

Monday
B: cereal with no fat milk + banana
L: boiled potato with sour cream and cheese
S: low fat vanilla yoghurt
D: steamed vegies (carrot broccoli parsnip) and a boiled egg
D: a sneaky little icecream - it was forced on me i swear :p
Exercise: Went for a brisk walk/run for an hour. I've got a pedometer somewhere...ill wear it next time to see how far im going.

Tuesday:
B: low fat vanilla yoghurt + slice of toast with vegemite
S: square of chocolate cake (its my housemates birthday)
L: leftover steamed vegies + baked beans



i think i'm going to cook chicken breast stuffed with garlic, herbs and a little parmesan cheese for dinner.
Exercise today, i went for a walk in my uni break. Its starting to get pretty cold here so i'll be making use of my gym membership tonight hopefully!

I have 2 assignments due tomorrow so once they're over I can actually focus on exercising without feeling guilty for being away from the books.


I wanted to see if anyone had heard of the Dukan Diet?
I read an article on it the other day, basically its a 4 step diet including a stage of pure protein, a stage of alternating protein and then 2 stages for consolidating and stabilizing.
I'm not sure how nutritional it is, so if anyone knows more about it, I would be keen to hear it!
 
Sounds like you had a good couple of days!
Make sure you check that you are eating enough, though...it may be too few calories, which could set you up for overeating later. I only advise this because it's something I've finally learned myself, once I realized that eating only a moderate calorie deficit is the best way to go in the long run!
I've never heard of the Dukan diet...
Good luck with your assignments, and keep up the good work! :)
 
Its been a week and things are going great! Sorry I haven't updated much. Just been so hectic.
I bought new running shoes this week, and they came with an insert that connects to your iphone to tell you how many kms, calories, speed etc you are doing during your run which has been so motivating!
I did a walk/run this morning and i did 7.5km in just under an hour. Which means at the moment I should be able to finish the half marathon in around 3 hours, so my next goal is to be able to do it in 2.5 hours.
Food has been okay. I've been working on portion sizes and trying to eat a little of everything but smaller amounts which seems to be working great so far. My family keeps joking and saying I need to be on the Ethiopian diet...

So if anyone else has the nike+ shoes, they should become my friend on nikerunning.nike.com!!!
It's pretty cool that I can graph my runs and show where my peaks are.
Promise i'll update again soon.
I figure if the people on the Biggest Loser can do a half marathon then I can too!
 
You are doing great!!!! I have been toying with the idee of training for a half marathon too, but I am not sure I have time to train,,,,good for you that you are so dedicated....I will check up on your success!!!
 
Thanks Verobc! I'm feeling so great at the moment. Can't wait to see how far I get in the next 2 months leading up to the race.
This morning I went for a run/walk. I never realised how many hills there were around my house, but my ass is DEFINITELY feeling it now! haha.
In 1 hour I burned 700cals, went 8.15km (equivalent to just over 5 miles I think), and improved my speed incredibly from yesterday!

Food yesterday:
B: I had a poptart and yoghurt. Probably not the healthiest start to the day, but I'm going grocery shopping this morning to get something more nutritious.
L: Beef salad
S: bowl of yoghurt and an apple
D: Chicken schnitzel with roasted vegetables.
S: 4 squares of dark chocolate

And today:
B: 2 x toast with vegemite
S: a poptart

The only down side i'm feeling at the moment is that when I get back from my run, I always start coughing alot. It usually goes away after an hour or so, but its still not good and i'm a little worried that in my half marathon i'll start having a coughing fit in the middle of it.
I might go and get a hair cut today. I'm feeling good about myself and its time for a non-food related treat!
 
Heyy!! You are so determined and motivated!!! & you;r doing really well!!!
have any ideas about the haircut?

Keep it up! Can't wait to hear about your progress!
 
before!!

Back again! Just thought I would do a quick post with a "BEFORE" pic.
Hope everyone is going well!
xoxo
 
hanako said:
I wanted to see if anyone had heard of the Dukan Diet?
I read an article on it the other day, basically its a 4 step diet including a stage of pure protein, a stage of alternating protein and then 2 stages for consolidating and stabilizing.
I'm not sure how nutritional it is, so if anyone knows more about it, I would be keen to hear it!
Click to expand...
I don't know anything about this diet, specifically, but I am skeptical of any diet that has phases or stages.

In the long run, what you are going for is a permanent change in your habits and lifestyle. What matters in the end is your diet and exercise habits a year or 10 years from now and that is what will determine how healthy you are. It doesn't matter if you got there in 1 stage or 15 stages. So, skip the stages and go right to the healthy lifestyle that you expect to keep the weight off forever.
 
Harold14370 said:
I don't know anything about this diet, specifically, but I am skeptical of any diet that has phases or stages.

In the long run, what you are going for is a permanent change in your habits and lifestyle. What matters in the end is your diet and exercise habits a year or 10 years from now and that is what will determine how healthy you are. It doesn't matter if you got there in 1 stage or 15 stages. So, skip the stages and go right to the healthy lifestyle that you expect to keep the weight off forever.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the feedback Harold! Yeah, I wasn't too sure about it so I just decided to stick to what I know I should and shouldn't be eating rather then messing up my whole body system.

Amsterdam: I'm getting the chop tomorrow. I'm thinking shoulder length with lots of layers, a more bold fringe and some highlights through it...hope it turns out okay!


So a quick update, today I have been in a slump.
I went out with some friends last night, got home at midnight and then woke up at 6 this morning so I think it might have something to do with the lack of sleep.
I still went for a power walk this morning with a little bit of running, but to be honest I just couldn't be bothered. I ended up doing 9kms (approx 5.6 miles) in a bit over an hour, burned 760 cals so at least I still did more then yesterday.
I have to work tonight (as a bartender) so I probably won't be home until after 2:30am so the plan is to sleep in tomorrow, maybe go for a run in the afternoon instead of the usual morning, and go to the gym for a bit of a weights session.

Food today is a bit embarrassing:
B: Just Right cereal and no fat milk, banana, apple.
S: Slice of bread with margarine
L: Chicken and salad sandwich, bowl of banana and custard
S: Iced finger bun and another bowl of custard (kill me now)
D: Roasted chicken, garlic, pumpkin, onions.
S: 1 row of dark chocolate.

AAHHHHH!!! What happened! I was going so well. Just shows how much sleep impacts on what you eat!
Okay so from now on, every night, I will get at least 7.5 hours sleep!! And now its in writing.

Tomorrow will be better, I promise. Time to get my ass into gear.
 
Back again. I was so sick yesterday. I slept pretty much all day so I didn't end up doing any exercise.
Food for yesterday:
B: Just right cereal with no fat milk and banana
L: Same as breakfast
S: 2 rows dark chocolate
D: 2 scrambled eggs with steamed mixed vegetables.
S: 2 rows dark chocolate

I really should start to cut back on the chocolate. But I figure if a little here and there stops me bingeing then it's well worth it.

Feeling so much better today, except it dawned on me that I have exams in just over a weeks time. AHHH! need to study!!

Went for a super run this morning. 10.1km (6.2 miles) in 1 hour and 15 mins and burned 830 cals. I actually managed to run for the most part of it and there were SOOO many hills. I think that makes up for yesterday's lack of energy.
And today's food:
B: Just right cereal, no fat milk and a banana
S: 1 row dark chocolate
L: Same as breakfast.

I have to work tonight so another 3am bed time. I honestly don't think I have ever kept a fitness regime up for more than a week properly so I'm really excited!
Better have a nap this afternoon so I have some stamina to do it all again tomorrow.
 
TRIUMPH x 3!!!

So where I left off yesterday, for dinner I had steamed vegies and I made a pumpkin and puff pastry(reduced salt) pie.
I also had a square of 85% cocoa chocolate. I think that's my new naughty snack. I just couldn't have more than one square! It's so bitter, but I really like it.

Went to work, had an average night at work with difficult customers and all in all I was just fed up. After work the security guards invited me for a McDonalds run (at 2:30am) and I declined...and went to the gym instead!! TRIUMPH ONE!
At the gym:
1/2 hour on the treadmill running, burned 350 cals.
180 situps on an exercise ball - 90 normal, and 90 crossovers
3 x 15 assisted chin ups
3 x 15 dips

When I come home from work I would normally grab something to snack on before bed, but last night I just grabbed a bottle of water and retired to my room. TRIUMPH TWO!

This morning when I woke up, I weighed myself. 1kg (2.2 pounds) down! TRIUMPH THREE!!!

Has been the best couple of days. So motivated!!
 
wow you are doing so well!!

Keep it up! I love gym trip > McDonalds run!!! Definitely a triumph!
 
jjjay said:
wow you are doing so well!!

Keep it up! I love gym trip > McDonalds run!!! Definitely a triumph!
Click to expand...

Thanks so much jjjay! It's these kinds of comments that keep me going! And I just read your blog...absolutely EPIC! took me about an hour but you are so inspiring, such a great job.

I had a day off yesterday in terms of running. And food was pretty good. I made a really yummy salad for lunch with lettuce, carrot, cucumber, egg and lamb.
Snacked on yoghurt through the day which is only 67 cals!
For dinner I had steamed vegetables (cabbage, beans and carrots) and then some leftover lamb.

I also had to work last night and my gosh it was FREEZING!!! I was feeling really flat so I had a small packet of sea salt chips (a little naughty) and they cost me 245 cals.
It got me thinking, is it true that when you exercise in colder weather you burn more energy because you're using more to keep your body warm?
I have always wondered. Living in Australia we are coming into winter so I'm really hoping that its true for my flabby gut's sake :p

This morning I went for a run/walk, did 9.7kms in an hour, burned 826 cals. Very happy with that.
Breakfast was cereal and low fat milk and I had some yoghurt to snack on.

Today is technically my official weigh in day and the results:
Still 1kg down at 82kg.
Measured my waist and I have lost 1cm.

Slow start but its something at least.
 
WOAH I just checked my running tally for the week and I have run a total of 52.67 km!
Thats more than a FULL marathon!!! I can do this!
 
Hi! Wow I can't believe that you are running that much. That's really great and inspiring. Also the lamb in the salad, great idea! :)
Good luck on your marathon!
 
Hanako!!! You're doing amazingly!! Keep it up!! You're a running machine, which is definetly a motivator/inspiration for me!

I hope you have a nice day! :)
 
Ann said:
Hi! Wow I can't believe that you are running that much. That's really great and inspiring. Also the lamb in the salad, great idea! :)
Good luck on your marathon!
Click to expand...

Thanks Ann! The lamb tastes so good. I've never been much of a salad fan, but if I add things like some meat and eggs then I find it much more easier to down.

Hanako!!! You're doing amazingly!! Keep it up!! You're a running machine, which is definetly a motivator/inspiration for me!

I hope you have a nice day!
Click to expand...

"Running machine" - I never thought those two words could be used in reference to me, ever! I'm so glad I can actually inspire someone else and to hear that just makes me want to keep going and going! I truly appreciate all the feedback.

___


A bit of a lazy day today. I downloaded all seasons of glee and have been watching it non-stop for the past few days. How lame...but I'm secretly addicted!! My housemate hates the show, so I have to watch it locked away in my room. HAHA!

I did go for my first evening jog tonight though. Totaled 9.5km in an hour, burned 800 cals and I actually felt like I could have gone for much longer, but it got dark very fast! Food was all fine today, snacked on a bit of 70% dark chocolate (DELISH!!).

On a super note, the coughing fits I was having after my running last week seem to have settled down. I hope that's my body telling me that I'm getting totally fit! Either that or I no longer have lungs after coughing them all up :p

Feeling good, ready for the June challenge weigh in tomorrow.
 
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