Recless.

Up until tonight, I was recless. A play on words dear friends--I had yet to introduce the rec to my beautiful face--and, tonight we finally met. I apologize for my lack of writing lately...I have made some new changes to this whole getting back into shape plan.

First things first, I am keeping a workout and nutritional journal that has my half-marathon training plan laid out for each and every week in it. I am kind of OCD when I want to be or when I get stressed...I feel like it makes me more motivated to look back at a hard copy of how far I've come and how hard I have worked.

Secondly, seeing that I am running for the first time without the help of a knee brace or patella stabilizer...I have decided to take on a  3-Day Half Marathon Training Plan at Runner's World.com 
So, a basic run down...no pun intended...I get injured really easily when it comes to mileage, and I need a lot of cross-training to keep me in shape and injury free. On this plan, I do speedwork on Tuesdays, I do a tempo run on Thursdays, and a long run on either Saturday or Sunday. The days I don't run, I have been biking for 30-40 minutes and hope to alternate that with swimming soon. (If anyone knows how to actually do the strokes, would you go to the pool with me for a day and help a sister out?) And, of course, I get to enjoy a day of rest :)

So for this week, I have biked and tomorrow I have my speed workout of 4x400's at 2 mins 4 seconds with a 20 minute jog before hand, 2 minute recovery jogs between reps and a 10 min cool down. Thursday I have a 3 mile tempo and Saturday I have 6 mile long run. Holla! I am rather pumped, albeit a little intimidated about the 6...I haven't gone for one of those in almost 3 years. I can do this!

I must say working out at the rec is rather motivating. There are a thousand eyes to keep you working hard and pushing yourself. Boom boom boom. I love hearing back from my readers with comments, questions and success stories...feel free to send them to my mailbag (aka facebook inbox) and I will publish some of my favorites (and entirely confidential/anonymous should you wish).

Happy running!
And, cheers to a good first week after spring break!

Morgan