Ten weeks ago I shared my 2016 NYC Half Marathon Training plan with you guys. This training plan is the first one I’ve created solo, without the support of a formal coach. Instead, I spent hours reading prior recaps and training plans before developing one that worked for me. As you may recall, my weekly workout schedule/training plan included 6 workouts:

• 3 runs (1 speed/1 long/1 mid-distance)
• 2 strength training workouts
• 1-2 yoga/pilates/barre classes

When creating this plan, I had a few goals:

• Avoid injury.
• Avoid running burnout.
• Be able to continue cross training via ClassPass (<– Get $25 off your first month)

Now that I’m enjoying a few days of rest and relaxation during my week long taper before Sunday’s race, I thought it’d be a good idea to reflect on the past eleven weeks to see how the training plan worked out. Since I didn’t have the financial obligation to a running coach, was I able to hold up my end of the bargain? Heck yes! I’ve wanted this sub-2 hour half marathon for years and this time around I put 100% into training!

• 3 runs?
  • Each week, I ran three times, without fail. Even during the crazy snow, I bundled up and head to Prospect Park or to the treadmill at Blink. I took eight classes at Mile High Run Club which most weeks served as my speed training. As part of the NYRR coached running group, I ran in Prospect Park six nights completing 4 – 6 miles as part of our weekly tempo workout. The only area where I could have improved is the long run. Two of my runs were cut short due to wind or extreme cold, which means that instead of 8 miles I ran 6 and instead of 10 miles I ran 8. The strength that I felt during my last two 10 mile long runs, gave me the confidence I needed to realize that these two shorter runs didn’t ruin my training plan. I do think that I will build in a 12-13 mile run before Brooklyn and Flying Pig Half Marathon just to give myself an added boost of confidence.
• 2 strength training workouts?
  • I took 11 strength training classes during this training cycle which surprised me as I felt like I was taking them more often. As there are only so many days in the week, I definitely reduced the number of strength workouts I was taking during my Brooklyn Body Burn challenge in February.  I want to really focus on getting these strength workouts in as I know that increasing my lean muscle mass will only help me get faster. The best way to ensure this is by reviewing my training plan each Sunday as I plan my ClassPass schedule. This extra rigor will help hold me accountable.
• 1-2 yoga/pilates/barre classes?
  • I took 10 yoga classes, one barre class and five Brooklyn Body Burn (aka megaformer) classes during this training schedule. I believe that the consistent yoga practice really helped my body stay injury free and improve my mental state during the tough first six weeks of the year. I would like to add a few more barre/pilates classes to the schedule during the next round of training as my body definitely leans out when I’m taking barre or reformer classes on a consistent basis.
• Sleep? 
  • Over the past ten weeks I’ve averaged 7 hours of sleep which seems to be the perfect amount for my body. As part of the taper this week, I’m trying to get 8 hours of sleep each night.
• Food/nutrition?
  • This one is a bit of a question mark right now. For the past few weeks I’ve felt a bit off (nope, I’m not pregnant, trust me friends) and I can’t pinpoint the reason. I’ve started eliminating things this week to try and pinpoint the culprit. I think the biggest culprit is evening dessert (dang you Thin Mints) and my afternoon snack. I’m focusing on smaller, more frequent meals which will allow me to better stabilize my blood sugar and hunger. During the week,  I’m going to do my best to go back to enjoying a cup of tea after dinner versus actual dessert.

So there you have it. My training plan wasn’t perfect but I feel pretty dang strong and ready to run my heart out on Sunday!

*As I mentioned, I am not a personal trainer nor a certified run coach. Therefore, I am providing this information to you based on my experience and suggest that you consult and expert before starting any new training plan.