Training plan ideas

First, I want to send you over to a couple giveaways!
Shannon at Philadelphia Phitness Pharamcy is giving away Luna Bars!
Stephanie at Thorns have Roses is doing a rainbow giveaway with all kinds of goodies!


Way back in 2009 I had a right knee arthroscopic surgery to repair a torn MCL. I needed to get back into running, at least well enough to pass a 2 mile run for my annual Army Physical Fitness Test(APFT). Someone recommended Couch to 5K to me as a gradual step back into running. I LOVED this program. They have a handy dandy app and even free podcasts. You can upload your playlist and a little voice comes over your music and tells you to "walk" or "run."



After that I decided to run a half and started looking at training plans. I heard about Hal Higdon's training plan on a health and fitness board that I frequent.

Now I had no idea what in the world to do for "cross" days. So I started to play around with some new things and figured out what I enjoyed. So here's my weekly routine.

Mon- Yoga if I can make it to the gym since I have class this night. If not, I stretch at home. I really should get a yoga DVD and a foam roller(hear that husband?)
Tues - Easy run, whatever I can fit in since I have class this night too.
Wed - Pilates and swim/bike. Or and easy run.
Thurs - Speed workout. If I didn't do pilates the day before, I do NROLFW for strength training.
Fri - REST DAY! TAKE YOUR REST DAYS!
Sat- Usually swim and hit the sauna since I'm off and the gym is slow. Sun- Long run.

I hate when people say they're too busy. I work full time(and odd hours since criminals don't stick to a schedule, jerks), I'm taking 10 credit hours, I have my responsibilities for the National Guard, and I still prepare 95% of our meals at home and find time to work out. Believe it or not, I do have friends and a social life too! I try not to beat myself up over my workouts. Life happens and sometimes it gets put on the back burner.  I don't worry too much about my mileage.  A mile run before class is better than no run even if I had 3 miles scheduled. My most important runs are the long runs and even if I have to break it up and do half in the morning and half in the evening, I still get the miles in!

In my humble opinion, the most important things to remember when creating a training plan are these:

1) Have a back up plan! If I don't do anything on my schedule, I have a 30 day shred DVD to pop in at home if I have to.
2) Don't beat yourself up! Life happens, tomorrow is a new day!
3) Get CREATIVE .  Some days this winter I traded in my sneakers for snowboarding boots. It's a great way to cross train!
4) Most importantly, HAVE FUN!