Running Moms Rock

Crossing the finish line with Isla!

When you see a woman running with a jogger, sometimes a double wide or rushing to the gym with babys in tow to get to a yoga class, what do you think. I think, "Unbelievable"! No way in hell could I pull all that off, running, parenting, shopping, and all the other stay at home Mom responsibilities which are endless.
About 9 weeks ago Tani asked me to put together a training schedule for her as she got into the NYC Half Marathon.  This will be Tani's 3rd half, but first on the road. She is a trail junkie! After running 2:44 at The North Face's mud fest last June and a 2:24 after going down with a busted up ankle at Pain to Paine, she has set a goal of 2:11 this time. With just 2 weeks left before the race on St. Patrick's Day I thought I would share the schedule I put together for her, and perhaps it is one that can work for others.

First it is important to understand the following which needed to be taken into account.

1. Tani is a full time stay at home Mom. Yup, she does it the old fashioned way, with no help. What this means is she needs to fit her training in between the needs and responsibilities of every day family life. Anyone out there who has seen a rockin Mom at work knows exactly what I mean.
2. She has other interests as well, yoga, kick boxing and boot camp classes she was not willing to give up. This limits her availability to run to 3 days per week.
3. During the week she only has about 90 minutes max of actual workout time which she must squeeze in while our daughter is in nursery school or during the 2 hr time limit at the gym's nursery. Weekends have been interesting as well with us both trying to get our long runs in.

In typical Tani fashion, she has managed to make it happen, and I am certain she is going to kick some butt come March 17th. So here it is. A half marathon training program for a full time Mom. Just 3 run days and no more than 21 miles in a week.  Just remember no runner with a family can do it on their own. Gotta help each other out!!!  Peace

11 weeks (8 miles)
F- 4 miles easy
S- 4 miles easy

10 weeks (14 miles)
M- 4 miles hills
F- 4 miles easy
S- 5 miles easy
All runs were schedule for Mon, Fri, Sat but of course you gotta go with the flow when life gets in the way!

9 weeks (15 miles)
4 miles speed
5 miles easy
6 miles w/3 at race pace

8 weeks (17 miles)
5 miles hills
5 miles easy
7 miles with 4 miles at race pace

7 weeks (18 miles)
5 miles speed
5 miles race pace
8 miles easy

6 weeks (19 miles)
5 miles hills
9 miles with 5 miles at race pace
5 miles easy

5 weeks (20 miles)
5 miles hills
10 miles easy
5 miles at race pace

4 weeks (21 miles)
5 miles speed
5 miles easy
11 miles with 7 miles at race pace

3 weeks (17 miles)
4 miles easy
5 miles hills
8 miles easy

2 weeks (21 miles)
5 miles speed
11 miles with 7 miles at race pace
5 miles easy

1 week (20.1 miles)
4 miles easy
3 miles easy
Race Day 13.1 Hard