Training Plan and Personal Goals

TGIF! I am SO ready for this weekend. Tomorrow I am registered to run my first 5K race, in New Britain, CT.  My feet have been aching and hurting though, so I'm not entirely sure I'll make it.  As part of my training plan for the half marathon in October, I've registered for a few 5K races in the Hartford area.  I've never run in any type of race other than track meets- I've only ever walked a 5K.   I tend to be a worrier and am generally an anxious person so I am hoping the 5K practice runs will ease my jitters leading up to the big race day!

I've decided on using this five month training program as a guideline, obviously knowing that my schedule sometimes differs and I won't be able to follow it exactly.

Week one will be the second to last week in May, so for right now I am running three times per week.  It's taken me a LONG time, but I've finally got a solid 3 miles under my belt, and every once in a while (like Wednesday!) I'll feel tremendously ambitious and do 4.5.  I'm averaging an 8:37 minute mile, which I am pleasantly surprised by.  

While I have set the goal of finishing the half marathon, I'm not setting any time goals.  I don't want to stress myself out thinking "I have to get this time, and I have to be at this pace".  I simply want to cross the finish line.  I want to run the entire distance, no walking, and when I do finish, I want to be smiling.