Cross Training to Half Marathon

Hello, I'm Christine Garcia.  John and I are swapping blogs this week.  John spent Spring Break with our daughters, and I am working in Dallas, Texas. If you want to hear about John's adventures with our kids check out my blog. Today's Chicago Woman Magazine, Play Dates and Power Lunches.  

A few months ago, John jokingly tossed a magazine across the table urging me to read an article that talks about how people use cross training as a way to improve runs, and some train and run long distance by biking, doing yoga and strength training.

As I was reading, I couldn’t really imagine that my twice weekly spinning classes, new love of the Daily Method classes, hot yoga and boot camp class (which incorporates weights and cardio) would help me run a half marathon without even doing much running.

Fast forward about a month while I was sitting across from Dan Cruz, the Marketing and Publicity Director for Rock n’ Roll Half Marathon series. He asked me if I would like to run the Dallas Rock n’ Roll Half Marathon, Sunday, March 25^th, which was just two days away. 

I said yes, before I really thought about what I was agreeing to do.

I haven’t run more than 9 miles and that was over a month ago. I didn’t put in the months of training as I had in years past. In fact the last half marathon I ran was between my second and third child (I have four girls). So all in all it has been over four years since I’ve run or trained for let alone run a half marathon.

I wasn’t very nervous, and didn’t really put much thought behind it until I went to pick up my race packet. The expo was booming with excited runners. Some seasoned runners, others giddy for their first half.

It dawned on me that I should get some GU, so I found the booth and started searching for my favorite flavor.  Before I had time to ask where the berry flavor I loved so much ten years ago, a woman walked over and asked the man behind the counter if Hammer Gel happened to be at the expo. He quickly responded “if you prefer a less superior product, then yes a vendor here is selling it” She responded “We’ll you know the number one rule, don’t change anything on race day” I had to laugh, since I didn’t have a routine, or a game plan for that matter.  I selected three GU flavors, and figured it really didn’t matter.

I did manage to squeeze in a few “runner” traditions, including eating pasta the night before and getting plenty of rest.

The race started at 8 a.m. at the Dallas Convention Center. The course was amazing, which brought us through the streets of Downtown Dallas, near where Kennedy was shot, through the tree lined streets dotted with mansions in Highland Park, and past churches where entire congregations came out to cheer us on. 

The streets were lined with many well-wishers and the most important part, to make it the true Rock n’ Roll signature event, the bands which ranged from some of the best Texas country bands, rock n’ roll, jazz and blues bands.

I was enjoying the scenery, the people I was running with and enjoying seeing areas I haven’t noticed from the perspective of a runner before. Everything was smooth, as I passed mile 9, the longest distance I’ve run in years. I passed it, as I passed the 10, 11 (hey, GU was on the course, so I grabbed another one which really helped fuel my run!) and then passed the 12-mile marker. 

Mile 13 was in my sights, as I began to cramp up a little,  I saw the Ferris wheel at Fair Park and I knew the finish was right around the corner and I was excited to finish, and finish strong.

I crossed the finish line with a smile, and weaved through the finish line corral lined with medals, wet towels, fruit and the usual post-race fare. The complimentary massages helped loosen up my legs and I was still grinning from ear to ear.

My finishing time wasn’t the best, no where near a PR, but considering that I was putting my cross training workouts to the test, and I finished, I really am not about to complain.

So now, I will return to my cross-training classes and strength training, knowing that if put to the test, yes, it will get you through a half marathon.  Just not very fast!

for the record, I’m not in a hurry to prove it again anytime soon.

If you are interested in running the X Sport Fitness Rock n’ Roll Chicago Half
visit www.competitor.com, and use discount code ‘Runningnewsguy’  and save $10, plus if you register before April 1, 2012 you will receive the early registration discount. 

 

Comments

[Pete B]

Congrats on completing the Dallas RnR Half. Thanks for the code for the Chicago RnR Half. I used it without a hitch!

[Amazon Promotional Codes]

The 'Runningnewsguy' discount code didn't work for me :( Did I lose the train?

Anyway, good job! I love running and was also thinking about trying to run half a marathon.. Now I just need to start training seriously :)

[Mike Conroy]

Read the blog, sounds like you had a really great time and an enjoyable experience. After reading your story, I registered for the half. Trying to beat a pr of 1:40:18. Hopefully, I can pull it off.

Mike Conroy

[John Garcia]

Good luck Mike. Sounds like we run the same pace.