In less than two weeks, I’ll be wearing a medal after crossing the finish line at my very first half-marathon! I am so excited for race day and even had pangs of jealousy a few weeks back when I saw all the New York City half-marathoners running on TV!

It’s been a few weeks since I’ve posted about my personal training, so here goes.

Things have been going great! Training-wise I am just where I should be, and the slight aches and pains—including a few blisters and some middle back pain—have gone away. Now it’s just pure excitement and anticipation for race day!

My family and I returned last week from a wonderful week in sunny—and I mean sunny!—Florida for our kids’ spring break. If you read my blogs regularly, you know that I’m a planner, especially when it comes to fitting in fitness. Anticipating our eight days away, I knew I’d be able to walk in Florida on the beautiful strip along the water that goes for miles within walking distance of our hotel. I also knew I could go to the gym to do free weights, core and other exercises. Plus, no matter where I am, I’m always ready to walk as long as I have my iPhone (and Sirius app), headphones, sneakers and of course a pedometer.

Since the end of my formal training for the half-marathon is near, I knew I’d need to fit in one long walk both before and after our trip—especially because my usual weekly long walk is done in hilly Central Park where the actual race will be held. (And if you’re familiar with Florida, you know it’s mostly flat!)

While in Florida, I took full advantage of the beautiful weather and did several long walks—even some a few days in a row. How could I not with such beautiful weather? Having a change in scenery and a pedometer to track my mileage definitely added extra motivation for me to go the distance and continue to challenge myself.

Orthopedic surgeon Vonda Wright, MD, author of Guide to Thrive and my virtual half-marathon trainer, recommended I do my last long training walk—10 or 11 miles—a couple of weeks before race day, and then begin to taper my distance to best prepare for the 13.1-mile race. Taking her advice, I did my last long walk last Wednesday—two and a half weeks before the big day.  

I strapped on my pedometer, started the stopwatch on my iPhone and walked 11.1 miles in 2 hours and 41 minutes—about a 14:30 pace. This was faster than anticipated, and I project that I’ll finish the half marathon in 3 hours and 10 minutes. I really hope I achieve my goal.

Whether you’re participating in the More Half-Marathon or plan to cheer on friends or family, please look for me! In honor of the big day, I had #moveitorloseit buttons made and plan to give these out that day. After the race, I’ll post my last more.com blog about walking the half-marathon to tell you how it went.

I thank all of you who have read about my experience training for the race and who share your workouts with me on Twitter and Facebook. I hope to inspire you even half as much as you have—and will continue to—inspire me. (And if you have any ideas for what I should do for my next fitness challenge, please share—I’m out of ideas, though I did recently purchase a hula-hoop).

What I completed in Weeks 10-12: March 12-April 1, 2012

Week 10
Monday: REST
Tuesday: 3 sets each 5 arm exercises (7.5 to 12.5 pound weights), 200 crunches
Wednesday: 10-mile walk in the park
Thursday: REST
Friday: 4-mile walk in the park
Saturday: 2-mile walk on the treadmill, 3 sets each 5 arm exercises (7.5 to 12.5 pound weights)
Sunday: 5.7-mile walk in the park

Week 11
Monday: 5.5-mile walk in Florida
Tuesday: 5.7-mile walk in Florida
Wednesday: 6.3-mile walk in Florida
Thursday: REST
Friday: 6.5-mile walk in Florida
Saturday: 6-mile walk and 3 sets each lunges and squats in Florida
Sunday: REST