Interval training

So today was my third interval walk, and the first one that didn't totally suck.

The first one I did outside on my parents very flat street. I attempted running between mailboxes, but that didn't work out so well. I am so top heavy that I ended up almost falling over with the extra exertion. I then did race walking, and that seems to work out much better at this point.

I did the second interval walk on Tuesday morning on the treadmill and it sucked royally. I was having technical difficulties with the computer (more on that later) and had to keep hopping on & off the treadmill to fix the glitches. I only lasted 25 minutes and it was REALLY hard.

But today...it wasn't so bad! I did the entire 30 minutes and the interval was do-able. I even shortened my time from a 20 min/mile to a 19:21min/mile. Yay! I am starting to have some hope here!

The other thing that was awesome, I read my Disney Passporter for about 10 min before my walk. It was totally motivating, because I know if I am going to get there it HAS to be for the Princess. I will post links if anyone is interested.

I am beginning to accumulate a list of "wants" for training and for the race. I think I will also be posting those and using some of them for motivational rewards. I will keep everyone updated on what things are on my wish list and if I get them, if they are worthwhile or not.

Keep pluging and I will be here right along posting as we get closer to Feb 26, 2012!

A quick shout out

I just wanted to make a quick post to thank so many people for taking a minute and leaving a comment. I am overwhelmed that folks that who don't know me from anyone would be so kind and supportive.

I know many of you are training right along with Princess J & I, so please let us know how you're doing! I would love to share the blog with anyone else who wants to contribute their training experiences, so if you're interested or just want to be emailed with updates, which I promise to be more regular as we are training in earnest now, please feel free to email me at princess.april120@gmail.com.

Thanks again and I look forward to becoming friends with many of you other Princesses who are out there working hard and wishing on a star!

First real training session

Yesterday, Princess Jennifer & I did our first training session. It was a bit windy, but sunny and it felt amazing! I just can't believe the endorphin rush from talking about the race and making our training schedule...

We have planned to work on pace/speed first. I am REALLY slow, and so the goal is by July 1 to be at a 15min/mile for at least 3 miles. Distance wise, I can do three miles easily now but they are slow miles. We are planning to use the Galloway method of walk/race walk-run to increase the pace. Tomorrow will be my first solo training session with the new plan. I have the interval run app on my iphone, so I have started with a 5 min warm up walk, then 30 seconds of race walking-running, alternating with 2 minutes walking for a total of 20 minutes, then a 5 minute cool down walk. I also need to remember stretching after my walk. In my excitement yesterday, I overlooked the stretching, and boy did I feel my mistake the rest of the day. Unfortunately, being a more "mature" princess, I totally need the stretching...

We have also decided to do a 5K race sometime in July. Again, the goal is to complete the 5K at our Princess Pace and then add distance from there. We also plan a 10K in the fall at our Princess Pace, and then we are right in line for the Princess Feb 26, 2012 !!

So were are official now. We have a training plan and our next walk together is scheduled for April 20th. I have a lot of homework to do in the next two weeks, but I am pumped!