First Day of Training

While I was waiting for a light to change I saw this

As you may have read in my last post, I have signed up for my very first Half Marathon!  I am running the Provo Halloween Half.  It's perfect because I have 13 weeks to train and I get to combine two things I love: Running and Dressing up for Holidays.  This race gives me the opportunity to run AND dress up!  Like this sticker says, my future is unwritten and it's up to me to write it.  It's up to me whether or not to go to bed early so I can run early in the morning.  It's up to me if I am going to work for it everyday and not slack off.  I don't know what's in store, but I do know that I can prepare myself physically and mentally.



Today was my first official day of training.  I made a schedule for myself last night to make sure I am on track and motivated.

The first seven weeks

Today's goal was 5 miles.  I had a hard time waking up so I ended up running around 9:30AM in about 80 degree weather.  I got through the 5 miles though.  I was determined and I wanted to start my training off the right way.

On the sidewalk right before I got home

After my run I made sure to drink water and made myself a healthy breakfast.  During these weeks of training I want to make sure I establish healthy eating habits.  I want to perform my best when race day comes.  

Spinach, tomato, and egg sandwich
Odwalla Superfood drink

 13 weeks.  I can definitely do this.


Runaway Girl

Pioneer Day and a BIG STEP!

On Pioneer day I had the opportunity to run the Deseret News 10K!  I had run it two years prior in 47min 25.5secs.  This time around I was slower, but I felt strong and I felt good.  No stomach problems, I was hydrated.  I prepared myself fairly well.  Of course I could have trained a lot more.  I was happy that I got under 50 minutes, which isn't too bad.  Of course now I am motivated to get faster, much faster.

The route went down South Temple, and passed right by where I live.  My parents were outside by the street to cheer for me.  I couldn't help but smile when I saw them.  I really think that having them there for me gave me more strength.

But.....this was only a 10K, and a preparation for something more.  :)

Me in the crowd passing my house around mile 3

After I finished my run, I went back home, made some posters, and sat outside to wait for my friend Ashley to run by.  She ran her very first marathon!  I only ran about 6 miles, she ran 26.2!  That's insane.

By the time she passed us on South Temple, she had run 23 miles!  I was impressed and she looked great.  Hopefully having us cheer for her helped push her for those last 3 miles.  

Motivating posters

I decided to bike over to the finish line and cheer for her right at the end.  I was so proud to see her finish, let me say it again, her FIRST marathon!  It truly takes a strong individual to run such a distance.  I was certainly inspired.

Ashley looking AMAZING after her finish!

It was a day of running and inspiration.  I didn't have someone running the race with me, but I did have people supporting me.  Although I only ran about a fourth of what Ashley ran, it was a good start for me to get myself moving in the right direction.  And watching one of my friends run her very first marathon has motivated me to take a chance and sign up for something bigger.  

So.....I signed up for my FIRST half marathon!!!!!  I am gradually getting to the marathon point, and this is a big step for me.  I have a little less than 90 days to train and I am so excited to get running and training.

Sometimes you just have to sign up for a race for motivation.  Now I have a goal to reach.  I have something to work for and I am going to put my heart into this.  Signing up for this half is my way of running for something.  I am running for a more fit lifestyle, and to accomplish something I've been wanting to do for a long time.  I got this!

Let the training begin!

Runaway Girl

   

Ready for the 6AM start time.

   Tuesday July 24th, 2012

   Tiegan Hatch #1500 Age 22

   Salt Lake City, UT

   19/96 Age group 19-24 Female

   592/1945 Overall

   Gun Time: 50:06.4

   Chip Time: 49:40.4

   Pace: 8:00/M

NEW post

NEW location!
I have graduated from college in Boston and now I am in Utah.  I've been here a little over a month now and of course I've been getting back into running in the lovely mountain air!  I miss running in Boston, but Utah has it's beauty.  I ran a good 7 miles when I first got home and it was brutal.  The altitude and heat were a great combination.  After that I took it easy.  3 miles was about a normal distance for me.


NEW mountain bike!
I went mountain biking for the FIRST time and well.....I biffed it pretty hard and was left with some zombie bite looking bruises.  Running after that didn't feel too fantastic.  I took it easy.

My beautiful mountain bike

This was the worst of it.

NEW shoes!  

I was deciding between Nikes and Asics.  I went with the Nikes because that's what I had before and well, they look freakin' awesome.  I call them my pink ninja turtle shoes.  They are Nike Free Runs and they are AMAZING. I love running in them.  

Pink Ninja Turtle

NEW race!
I signed up for a 10K on the 24th of July.  I have done this race before so it's not technically new, but that was 2 years ago.  So we'll see how well I can do this time around.


NEW attitude!
I woke up around 6AM (I was laying in bed for awhile, so probably awake around 5:30AM or earlier) because I wanted to go running.  My mom and I drove to Liberty Park and ran. I ran four laps around the park.  It felt good.  I feel stronger and well.....I've been a lot better about running and keeping my attitude higher for running.  I want to wake up before the sun as much as I can.  I can do this. :)


So as you can see, there are a lot of new things in my life and I am sure there are more to come.  I really want to keep running for something.  I am running now for: training for the 10K, health/getting fit, and enjoyment.  I love to run and always will love to run.


Runaway Girl