And so it begins

It is certainly not a fluke that “Body and Soul” can be shortened to B.S. as I have no idea what I am talking about. Over the past several years, I’ve been able to maintain a level of fitness that is probably greater than the average Joe, regardless of how consistent I have been with working out. I have also been able to train extremely hard without injuring myself. This probably has more to do with luck than anything else.

I am currently ramping up to my first longer distance event since before my daughter was born. I’ve run a couple of 5 and 10k events since then, but I am registered for the national capital race weekend half-marathon. Normally this wouldn’t concern me too much as I am consistently running 6.5 km several times per week, and when I was in Cuba recently, I ran about 10 km a couple of times as well. I have ample time to build up to 21.1 km. If I can run for one hour, I can run for two :-)

My only real concern with increasing my distance is making sure that I am eating enough so that I don’t lose any weight. I realize this sounds crazy to some people – most people around me would love to lose weight. The concern is due to the fact that I am already at the lowest weight I have ever been at – the same weight I was at my peak when I trained for my first marathon. I realize I won’t be running as much over the next couple of months as I did with the marathon training, but I have a couple of other things in my training plan, including the 30 Day Shred (I am not planning on doing this every day; just on days that I don’t run. This is to incorporate some strength training, core exercises and stretching into my plan) and some elliptical training (This will allow me to incorporate more cardio into my plan that I can do in the evenings when my daughter is asleep. I also like that this will involve not only my legs, but also my arms).

In an effort to exercise consistently and eat enough (while making healthy choices for my body and my pocketbook), I’ve decided to track and publish the following:

My training plan: Those closest to me know that I always have a training plan on the go. It covers many months into the future, but “Week One” changes often, particularly when I’ve had a bad week, either due to sickness, laziness, or other life things getting in the way. I am now committing to not change my “Week One”, which has now officially started Sunday, March 4, 2012. A few notes on my training plan:

• Runs: Runs are listed in miles. I have not planned any tempo, intervals, hills etc. sessions. All runs will likely be at my regular comfortable pace (of somewhere between 6-7 miles per hour) where I can chat with whomever I am running with. I’m not planning on winning any races. Because of this pace, I can estimate that a 3 mile run will take me just under 30 minutes, a 4 mile run will take me just under 40 minutes, etc.
• TDS: 30 Day Shred. I’m not planning on doing this every day as I want to focus more on my cardio. But I want to make sure I am doing some strength and core work as well. The “2.0” in the TDS columns indicates that this workout will take me 20 minutes. Hey, 20 minutes of exercise is better than none. Don’t knock it until you try it.
• Elliptical: The “6.0” in the Elliptical columns indicates that this workout will take me 60 minutes.

Week One

Monday (Day One): TDS
Tuesday: 3 mile run, TDS
Wednesday: 3 mile run
Thursday: TDS, 60 minutes elliptical
Friday: 3 mile run, TDS
Saturday: TDS, 60 minutes elliptical
Sunday: TDS, 60 minutes elliptical

Having a plan is one thing. Following through with it is another. I can be very consistent with my workouts; conversely, I can be very inconsistent. I’m hoping that by publishing my workouts, I will feel more accountable and it will motivate me to stay on track.

What I’ve eaten in the day: I realize that very few people are interested in what I am eating throughout the day aside from my friends who are also training for an event and are also struggling with eating enough calories, and eating the right things. I am tracking this more to a) ensure I am drinking and eating enough, and b) remind myself to eat healthier choices from home, rather than purchasing not so healthy choices throughout the day. I will start tracking this on Tuesday, March 6. I’m too embarrassed to indicate what I ate yesterday. And what I’ve eaten today, for that matter.