Happy Runner Half Marathon Challenge!

Yesterday I wrote about my plans to run the 13.1 NYC marathon on April 2. I'm really looking forward to the training and the race, especially because several of my friends are also running it.

Because I think it will be such a fun time, but also because I know that training for 13.1 is a big deal, I'm looking for YOU to run the half-marathon with ME in the

Happy Runner Half Marathon Challenge!

(or HRHMC for short)

Now, don't worry, it doesn't have to be in person (although that would be great). We're all kinds of virtual in this here blogging world. And, you don't even have to run all 13.1 miles at once. If you're not up for training for the full 13.1, you can run the half marathon distance over the course of 2-3 days. The rules are very flexible :-)

All you have to do is commit. Commit to running (virtually or in person) a half-marathon (all at once or over 3 days) with the Happy Runner! If you do, you will be rewarded, I promise.

What's in it for you:

• Weekly training updates -- each Monday I'll post an update of my plan and how I did with my training. I'll also give you updates on how the other runners are doing and you can share your updates too.
• Forum for questions -- I'll put out a call for questions each week. You can comment with whatever questions you have and then I'll collect them and include them in a post for all readers to give their opinions. We'll all benefit from our collective running wisdom!
• Motivation -- I'll share some motivational quotes and tips throughout the training period. Committing to the challenge will help you keep up with the running through the dreary days of winter.
• Goodies -- People, there will be prizes. Fun, fun running prizes!
• A discount -- If you would like to run the 13.1 NYC marathon with me, I have a discount code to share. Woo hoo!

Here are the specifics:

• The Challenge starts Monday, January 10, 2011. This will give you 12 weeks to train for the full half, if that's what you'd like to do. (Here are some plans: Hal Higdon, Runner's World, Cool Running.)  
• There are THREE options for running the half: 
• Run the 13.1 marathon NYC and meet up with the Happy Runner, et al, on April 2, 2011.
• OR run some other half marathon that weekend. 
• OR run a total of 13.1 miles anytime from Friday, April1 through Sunday, April 3 (two 5m runs and a 5k, for example).
• On Monday, April 4th, I'll post a race report and ask you to do the same and to leave a comment with your half marathon time.
• I'll post a list of all the participants, your results and link to your race reports. 
• I'll chose the lucky prize winners. I'll keep you all updated on the prizes as more come in.

To sign up:

• Leave me a comment -- feel free to think about it for a bit; I'll post the first list of participants on 1/14.
• If you plan to run the 13.1 NYC marathon as part of this challenge and would like the discount code, include your email address and I'll send it to you.

That's it! Feel free to share the challenge with others -- the more, the merrier!

I hope you'll join me! We'll have fun. I promise :-)

Have a great weekend, everyone!

~ Felice

Registered and ready to go!

Dear Felice,

Congratulations! You are a confirmed registrant for the 13.1 New York City Marathon and 5K on Saturday, April 2, 2011.13.1 start: 9:13AM

Wahoo!!!!!!

That's right, all. I'm running the 13.1 NYC marathon!

Who, after all, can resist a race that boasts a John Travolta-esque silhouette in its logo? Not me, that's for sure! Stayin' alive . . . stayin' alive . . . 


This race looks like it will be super fun! The race tagline is "Where the party meets the pavement" and the description sounds pretty good:

Balmy New York weather and a great course provide the perfect spring time race for all runners. With great views in Flushing Meadows park, a disco dance bash at the finish line party, and the Karhu 5K, 13.1® New York is the premier running event for 2011! 

This could totally be me come April 2nd:

Yeah! Get down, get down . . . 


But first, I need to get training! Training starts on Monday. I have a 12 week plan that I put together based on a few different plans that I tweaked and re-tweaked. It factors in my lifestyle as it is right now -- my age, my lack of sleep, all that.

If you're interested, this is what I've come up with:

(click on it to make it larger)

I'm mostly satisfied with the plan, although I know I'm going to have to fight the urge to add in a fifth running day. We'll see how that works out.

In the meantime, I promised you a challenge, did I not? And that challenge has a little something to do with this race :-) I'll post the details tomorrow . . . get ready!

~ Felice

2011 goals

Like most of you, I'm not big on making resolutions, choosing instead to set goals for the year. This year, I feel in some ways more certain of my situation (I know that I have a baby and a preschooler and there are no plans to add any other kids to this family, unlike last year) but in other ways I am less certain (how will I handle heavier training while nursing and not getting full nights of sleep?).

Well, nothing in life is truly certain so I've set my goals expecting for the best! Here's what I hope to accomplish in 2011:

• Run a half-marathon -- this one should be easy considering I'm planning to run a half in April. Now I just need to train . . . 
• Look into becoming an RRCA certified coach and perhaps start the process this year -- depending on timing and location of the courses, I'd really like to do this. I loved training the moms to run their first 5k last spring and think I could make a decent running coach. 
• Run masters strong -- to me this means training efficiently and intelligently, being smart about rest but also making sure that my hard runs are hard. There is no reason I can't set some PRs as a 40-year old and I will be going after them this year!
• Beat my 2010 Freihofer's Run for Women time at this year's race -- shouldn't be too hard considering I was almost 6 months pregnant when I ran it last year in 27:11! 
• Run these key races: 

1. Winter Marathon Relay in February
2. 13.1 marathon in April
3. Mother's Day 3.5-miler in May
4. Freihofer's Run for Women 5K in June
5. Indian Ladder trail run in July
6. EDITED TO ADD: Warrior Dash in August (thanks, Bridget!)
7. Race for the Cure 5k in October
8. Stockade-athon 15k in November

• Run 1000+ miles -- I just want to. 
• Keep up with run-improving strength training -- I have a series of leg exercises that, when I do them regularly, improve my form and help me avoid injuries. I want to do them regularly all year and add in upper body work, too.

That's it! My goals for 2011. If I can accomplish all of these I will consider the year a success. I think I can, I think I can . . .

Happy Monday, everyone. Enjoy the first week of 2011!

~ Felice

December recap.

Happy new year!!!

I rang in 2011 with some great girlfriends:

Our husbands were around, too, but we all make for a cuter photo :-)

This was the third year that we've had a new year's eve party at our house since moving in 2007 and I love being able to celebrate with good friends. It's just fun to end one year and start another surround by fun, happy people!

*     *     *

As 2010 ended so did the month of December, which happened to be one great month of running. Helped by warmish weather and my newfound friendship with the treadmill, I was able to run my highest mileage since September 2009.

No kidding! My highest monthly mileage in over a year. Writing that, I feel slightly ridiculous. Like, what was I doing October through January last year?

Who knows.

Anyway, this month I made time to run while also making time for fun things like, oh, Christmas. Speaking of which, did I ever show you Conal's masterpiece? No? Well, here's his gingerbread house, or, more accurately, his graham cracker house:

He loved that thing. Every day he was picking at the "siding" and by the time we tossed it, most of the m&ms were gone.

So, good clean fun. Now, back to the running. Here's how the month looked:

December stats:

Running (miles): 84.7
Cross-training (sessions): 4


Love it.


Now, bring on 2011. 


~ Felice