So, I ran in my new kicks a few times and decided it was time to start formulating a plan for my goal – a new half marathon PR. When I started plotting out my schedule, I talked to several other runners about training plans, race choices, and so on. As far as which race I would run, I had some pretty tough restrictions:

1. The race must be in October or November this year. I’d prefer to sign up for two, in case the first is a bust.
2. The race must be relatively local.
3. It must be on a Sunday, and allow day-of packet pick-up. I’ll have class on Saturdays so I can’t run races that require Saturday pick-up.
4. It must be a relatively flat course. Let’s face it. Shooting for a PR while climbing Everest is just sick. Give me flat and fast, please!

I suppose I shouldn’t have been surprised that these limitations would be, well, limiting. At this point, I’ve decided to sign up for the Staten Island Half Marathon. It’s not particularly flat, but it does satisfy all my other requirements. Ah me, ah my. I suppose I should see Staten Island one of these days anyway, right? (Side note: I can’t believe how many NYers have never seen Staten Island. Ever. Totally blows my mind.)

Okay, race chosen. Now for a training plan. Lindsay is currently training for a full marathon, just a small stepping stone for her journey to a full Ironman. She said she was using the FIRST marathon training plan, which only requires three runs each week. A PR based on only three days of running/week? Yes please! I promptly took the half marathon plan, chopped out a few weeks to make it fit into the remaining weeks between now and 10.10.10 (love it!) and printed about a hundred copies to keep in every nook and cranny of my apartment, office and purses. No way I can lose motivation that way!

The plan I’ve created follows the FIRST method, which utilizes one interval/speed run, one tempo run, and one long run each week. I also do cross training 2-3 times each week and have one rest day. Oddly, the rest day is the day before my long run, rather than the day after. At first I was concerned about hopping on an elliptical machine right after a long run, but I really love feeling fresh to run long and having a reason to get moving the day after logging the big miles.

Well, now I’ve got the kicks, the date, and the plan. Nothing can go wrong right?

For the two or three of you who still visit this lil’ blog, you might have noticed a distinct lack of running in my posts of late. The truth is, I have actually been running, but I’ve been nervous to discuss because I don’t want to jinx anything! For now, I’ll say I’ve got my eyes on one of my 2010 goals and I’m stocking up on the tools I’ll need to achieve it. Enter, new kicks:

A little story about my love affair with Mizunos. When I signed up for my first half marathon back in 2006, I went to Marathon Sports, in Boston, to get properly fitted for a running shoe. I loved the low profile, light weight of the Mizunos, and was told the Wave Inspires were sure to propel me across the finish line effortlessly. True to form, I busted out several races in these shoes before I was romanced by a pair of Asics. Again, I found myself in Marathon Sports, just a few weeks into training for my first marathon, and now my priorities had shifted slightly. I was less concerned about being fast and more concerned with comfort. I was told the 2100 series would make me feel like I was “running on clouds” so I promptly bought two pairs (you never know when your style will be sold out!) and soldiered on.

Well, some serious can pain and some black toenails later, I finally decided it was time to revisit my choice in sport footwear. On the recommendation of one of the doctors in my office (who finally cured my piriformis pain once and for all), I ventured uptown to Urban Athletics, where the owner of the store guided me through the various types of shoes built for the many types of runners. To make a long story only slightly shorter, I skipped home with a smile on my face and a shiny new pair of my original brand obsession in my shopping bag. Mizunos, it’s good to be back. Let’s get to work!