Tuesdays on the Run-Spring Training in full effect!

It’s Tuesday and I am happy to have found  Tuesdays on the Run with Erica at mcmmamaruns,

She is joined by  Patty of noguiltlife and April of runthegreatwidesomewhere. Today’s theme is Spring Training…how has it gone/how is it going?

I am always excited to find these link-ups because it allows for me to share my thoughts with others and I get to see what other people are up to. How cool is that?

Spring training is in full effect!

I just completed the Cherry Blossom 10 Miler (CB 10) (see recap here). As I had run Rock and Roll Half in March (see recap here), I had planned to continue using Hal Higdon’s Novice 2 half training schedule to prepare me for Cherry Blossom. Well life happened and I was not quite able to get all of my runs in -well mostly my long runs. I was a little nervous about CB 10 as my longest run before the race was 7.5 miles. From my recap, you will see that I did amazingly well at CB 10 #happydance!

So what’s up next? I have my sights set on Zooma Annapolis Half.  I have not signed up yet…that registration fee is a whopper but I have heard such good things about Zooma races and their swag that I am going to suck it up and register soon. In looking at the calendar from Saturday April 118, 2015 Zooma  is 6 weeks away.  I will be using Hal Higdon’s Half Novice 2 training schedule again.

Hal Higdon Novice 2

I really like his training plans as they include easy runs, pace runs and the long mileage increases 1 mile per week which I think my body appreciates.I am going to try to incorporate some speed track training this spring and summer as well. I think I will continue to use the Novice 2 plans for this year and switch to the intermediate plans next year.

Running Training:

As Zooma is 6 weeks away, I will start in week 6 of the training plan.  Additionally, since being diagnosed with arthritis in my right knee (thanks ACL/Meniscus surgeries!), the Dr recommended that I reduce my running and incorporate more cross training.  As I work out at home and have no access to a bike or pool, my cross training will be increased weigh training sessions.  This means I will alternate running 2 and 3 times a week. So for example this week I will run 2 times  and lift 3 times and next week I will run 3 times and lift 3 times-alternating each week until the half. One of my runs will always be a long run on the weekends.

Weight Training Plan:

The increased weight training can only help and make me stronger and a better runner-right?

As of right now, the plan is to weight train legs 1-2 times a week and upper body 1-2 times a week depending on the alternating schedule.  My focus is mainly on lower body strength and development. My hamstrings and glutes are weak and therefore most of my exercises will be focused on those muscles. I have a barbell, dumbbells, a squat rack and resistance bands-all that will come in handy to work the hamstrings and glutes.

Of course I will continue the #rockyourcore through the month of April as well.

My goal for Zooma is to finish under 2:20 with a preferred finish of 2:17. I will try not to put too much pressure on myself (yeah good luck with that Tamieka!) on race day.

My end of 2015 half goal is to run the Rehobeth Half with a finish time of 2:15.

Are you training this spring? What training plan(s) do you use? Do you weight train?