We take a break from our usual Skanky Tuesday programming today because I’m too excited and impulsive to not discuss how I decided to make running my bitch. Snark and sluttery will resume next week… actually, neither will go anywhere but in their official capacity, they are taking a break.

A few weeks ago I made a decision but was under an impulsive decision moratorium so had to wait before the decision was actually official. With a few weeks to stew over said decision, I knew that it was no longer impulsive and can now announce to the world that I am officially training for a 5K.

Um… can someone cue the popping Champagne and balloons? No? Nothing? Well, this is exciting for me, so there.

The plan as it now stands is to go down to the Los Angeles area to do the Southern California Half Marathon & 5K (emphasis on the 5K for me) on January 8. I started the training runs last night and will have one extra week to spare in the training schedule. I like having a spare.

Of course I can’t be indulging in such shenanigans on my own; I do love a good partner in crime. Even more, though, I love a whole bunch of partners in crime. (Did that comment just get me hot listed for any mafia recruiters reading my blog?) You won’t be surprised, I’m sure, to know that I emailed every friend that I could think of in the Southern California area and begged annoyed pestered pleaded with asked them to join me.

It should be fun! Either that or I’ll keel over and die. Whatever happens, someone is sure to be amused by the whole thing. Hopefully that will include you ladies and gentlemen.

So, last night I typed up my training schedule, put on coordinating socks, underwear, tank top, and headband (what? That’s totally important!), blackmailed myself into the gym with a smoothie, made a new sleazy playlist, and did the first run on the schedule. My body immediately got into the groove and reminded me why I love running. When it got difficult in the middle (more mentally than physically) I just turned up my music, imagined that I was dancing instead of running, and plowed through that sucker.

So it’s begun. I was afraid of officially announcing my intent because when I do such things is sometimes causes me to freak out and then do the exact opposite. Buutttt… my friends already knew, I already had a few partners in crime, I had set up a training schedule, and I really want to do this so there was no point in keeping it a secret.

The only thing making me crinkle my brow still is that I don’t know what I’m supposed to be doing for cross training and strength training so I turn to you my blog friends and ask for advice. Please point me in the right direction for the cross training part of this whole shebang. I do NOT want injuries. I’ve had enough for one lifetime, thankyouverymuch!

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Laura Georgina November 2, 2010, 6:07 pm

Pop POP goes the champagne from me to you!!! I'm so happy you're announcing it. You will rock the training, I know it!

Cross training… You know me: bicycle and pool. No impact from either. Just take it nice and easy on cross-training days and you'll find the cross-training will actually soothe your muscles and stretch out any kinks from hard running training. And go hard on the sleep; I suspect my wonky sleep schedule made me susceptible to the nasty flu/half-marathon saboteur.

Now, if only I could win the lottery (or find me some money) so I could fly to LA and join you…

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Laura Georgina November 2, 2010, 6:07 pm

Pop POP goes the champagne from me to you!!! I'm so happy you're announcing it. You will rock the training, I know it!

Cross training… You know me: bicycle and pool. No impact from either. Just take it nice and easy on cross-training days and you'll find the cross-training will actually soothe your muscles and stretch out any kinks from hard running training. And go hard on the sleep; I suspect my wonky sleep schedule made me susceptible to the nasty flu/half-marathon saboteur.

Now, if only I could win the lottery (or find me some money) so I could fly to LA and join you…

Reply
Suzanne November 2, 2010, 6:14 pm

Woohoo!! Balloons and Bubbly for you (not in that order!)

You are going to kick that 5k's butt! I can't wait to hear your how amazing you feel after it!

Congrats.

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Suzanne November 2, 2010, 6:14 pm

Woohoo!! Balloons and Bubbly for you (not in that order!)

You are going to kick that 5k's butt! I can't wait to hear your how amazing you feel after it!

Congrats.

Reply
idreamofgreenieblog.com November 3, 2010, 2:07 am

While I know you will rock out the race as will your amazing cupcake and cocktail loving companions (hehe), I am the first to say I have lapsed on the strength training lately.

However, I do try to get in some very good stretching multiple times in the day or so following every run and also commit to one strength training video a week. But again, I am probably doing the bare minimum.

If yoga didn't bore me so much (my attention span for yoga is approximately 12.5 minutes), I would do more of it.

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idreamofgreenieblog.com November 3, 2010, 2:07 am

While I know you will rock out the race as will your amazing cupcake and cocktail loving companions (hehe), I am the first to say I have lapsed on the strength training lately.

However, I do try to get in some very good stretching multiple times in the day or so following every run and also commit to one strength training video a week. But again, I am probably doing the bare minimum.

If yoga didn't bore me so much (my attention span for yoga is approximately 12.5 minutes), I would do more of it.

Reply
MsGigglepuss November 3, 2010, 2:17 am

Yay! Another Couch to 5Ker! Congrats on making the leap. I'm working towards my first 5K later this month…I'm a bit nervous about it. It is great that you're all prepared and I'd love to know your playlist. I am not too great with any training tips AT ALL, so I'll be watching to see if any veterans have some good ideas.

Reply
MsGigglepuss November 3, 2010, 2:17 am

Yay! Another Couch to 5Ker! Congrats on making the leap. I'm working towards my first 5K later this month…I'm a bit nervous about it. It is great that you're all prepared and I'd love to know your playlist. I am not too great with any training tips AT ALL, so I'll be watching to see if any veterans have some good ideas.

Reply
queerveganrunner November 3, 2010, 5:08 am

Yipeeeee!!! I promise to make it to this…no work emergencies for me this time! I suck at cross training but in theory – your arms and your core will make the biggest difference with running (your arms for pumping & fist bumping and your core for holding you up straight to get that pesky oxygen in you). Anything that can make you do these things – DVDs, yoga, pilates, anything that strengthens arms and core will help. Also! Strengthen your quads, hip flexors, and hamstings…this will prevent injury. Trust me on that one. I've learned the hard way (that's what she said)…more than once (again, that's what she said).

Reply
queerveganrunner November 3, 2010, 5:08 am

Yipeeeee!!! I promise to make it to this…no work emergencies for me this time! I suck at cross training but in theory – your arms and your core will make the biggest difference with running (your arms for pumping & fist bumping and your core for holding you up straight to get that pesky oxygen in you). Anything that can make you do these things – DVDs, yoga, pilates, anything that strengthens arms and core will help. Also! Strengthen your quads, hip flexors, and hamstings…this will prevent injury. Trust me on that one. I've learned the hard way (that's what she said)…more than once (again, that's what she said).

Reply
pcos532 November 9, 2010, 6:12 am

I might actually do this. I usually plan my races about a month in advance so I'll keep this bookmarked for when I get to December. By January, I may be able to do the half-marathon, but I would definitely do the 5K at a minimum. Good luck training! If you love free crap from vendors, you'll love races. 😀

Reply
pcos532 November 9, 2010, 6:12 am

I might actually do this. I usually plan my races about a month in advance so I'll keep this bookmarked for when I get to December. By January, I may be able to do the half-marathon, but I would definitely do the 5K at a minimum. Good luck training! If you love free crap from vendors, you'll love races. 😀

Reply