training begins...

{photo taken after day 1, 1/2 marathon training - 4 mile run }

after 3 1/2 weeks of no exercise i can without a doubt feel the difference.
i am starting over again building up my respiratory fitness and to be completely honest with you if it wasn't for the whole breathing thing i would be a really fast runner!
(note to self, do not stop exercising because it is a bitch to start back up with it again!!)

i have officially started training today for the 1/2 marathon sept. 20th in Philly.
bill, my neighbor chris and i ran 4 miles this morning and conquered "the mountain".
ok, it is just a really steep section of road that comes at about mile 2.5 and it kills us.
but i didn't stop and walk so i consider it a victory!

i really want to run (ok, jog at a pace faster than walking) the entire 13.2 miles.
so i am all in.

day 1 of 18 weeks of training complete!

Comments

[adelina]

YAY! I just started workouts after 6 mos of not doing anything. Baby steps, but I'll be doing a few 5k's this summer.

Good luck!

[Linda B]

You go girl! Accomplishing your first day is the biggest feat! I'm cheering you on:)

[Elsa]

I can relate. I started running once again after 7 months of doing NADA...:)..It's tough, its going to take some time to get going again but I'm all for it.

Count me in..

[Nancie]

Donna! You truly inspire me!! You look amazing and I love your drive and determination! I love to run too but with a little extra lbs and breathing problems myself, it is hard. I am considering doing a tri this fall if I could also get the breathing stuff under control! Keep on keeping on!! :)

[Diana Dellos]

Wow, if you can run 4 miles after taking three weeks off, that's awesome! Good luck on the next 18 weeks - you'll do great!!!

[Debbie McIntyre]

If you do all the hard work, I might just muster the energy to drive to Philly and cheer you on. Sounds like a good excuse to plan a girl's weekend! Mac

[Melissa Raphael]

WAY TO GO! I start my training for the DISNEY half marathon in a few weeks. Have fun training!!

[Renee]

Yay! You go girl!! I'll be following along with my own 19 weeks of "focus" that ends Sept.23 with my 38th b'day. Your inspiration has perfect timing!!

[Jeannie]

I agree!! For the reason, I'm afraid of not going to the gym for a day. Its so hard to start all over. But i think the hardest part is waking up, and driving to the gym! You can do it!!

[Katherine]

I've just done the same thing, man it sucks working out again and not feeling as good as I had been feeling. Keep it up girl!!

[Sandi]

I am also running my first 1/2 marathon in September. Training has begun for me too. Keep up the posts on your training....it inspires me (and many others)!
Sandi

[Pippa]

A friend of mine has run 100 marathons and he says that if you can do a half marathon, you can do a full marathon. He ran his first marathon when he was 50 and his last one when he was 70. His wife doesn't let him run marathons anymore because it was too stressful, so he just runs half marathons now. And he's 74. And he has leukemia. And he's completely blind. He's one of the most amazing people I know. He's met the Queen, too!

[Susan C./Colorado]

Congrats on running...yep it hurts to start back training again!
I have a desperate fabric question for you. You are so talented I figured if anyone had the answer it would be you! I am new to the whole thing of using fabric in my scrapbooking/crafts. I have some old tshirts, dresses, etc. of my kids that I would like to use for either trim, backgrounds, etc. in my layouts/pages & craft projects. Any special tips I need to know??? Can I use their clothes...are they archival safe??
Thanks - Susan C./Colorado

[donna downey]

clothes are not necessarily archival safe...they are not meant to be, but i promise they will last at least as long as you do so enjoy using them in the albums.

so this is a fun question...i think i need to know more of how you would like to use the clothes to give you specific tips.

donna downey
donnadowney.com
join the Campaign for Creativity

[Account Deleted]

good for you - I have such a hard time getting motivated to exercise - so sad cause I used to teach gymnastics & aerobics - used to be super fit!

Way to go!

[Tracie Jacobson]

i'll take any tips you can give as to running. i've been trying to get my "umph" to get one mile, I am at the track and can't get past running two laps..i think i either out wit myself or i'm not breathing right. i've been running the straight sides of the track and walking the curves for 15 laps a day..you'd think i would be able to run at least 1 mile by now. any hints?

thanks.

[Trina]

Congrats!! That is so awesome! My hubby & I actually just went shoe shopping today & bought new running shoes. Gonna sign up for our first race tonight & then start training for a 10K...hoping to work on training for a 1/2 marathon at the end of the year or early next year! Keep us posted on your progress...you are a HUGE inspiration!

[jenn]

Awesome Donna! You'll be back to running shape in no time! Keep up the great work!!!

[Nadia]

I have my pom poms out cheering you on all the way! you CAN do it! ciao!

[Holly]

That is so awesome Donna! I just started running myself, completely inspired by you. I thought I ran 10 miles today, but mapmyrun says it was only 2.5. Seriously, I think there is something wrong with that program. Thank you for your constant inspiration! I'm on my way to my first 5K and then the sky's the limit!

[Katherine McKamey]

Yay You!! Wow! So inspiring! I started playing tennis in a league in March and several of the ladies are talking about training for that race. Seriously awesome!

[mistyhofbauer]

Donna,
From your inspiration, because I started at almost exactly where you were when you started this, I ran my first 5K last weekend.
I had many different sources of inspiration coming my way, but honestly, you were one of my biggest inspirations. Everytime I read your posts on weight loss and running, it felt like my very own words, which definitly made me say- If she can do it, so can I! And, then I saw your body transforming, via your pictures and videos, and that motivated me all the more.
Anyway, I just wanted to say...
I JUST ran my first 5K, and have a few more in line for the next few months, but would LOVE to be able to run a 10K, and someday even a half.
I got to this point by following the Couch to 5K program, and have been wondering if you are following any sort of training plan, or if you are just doing it on your own?

[Susan C./Colorado]

Hello.,,thanks for answering my question. Well I will try to give a few examples of what I am thinking....I saved one of my daughters favorite easter dress from when she was younger. It had great detail so I was hoping to use the trim from the dress as "ribbon" on my layout plus use some of the dress to use as a matting more or less for one of her photos in the scrapbook. My son I wanted to use his fav "cowboy" shirt in a 6x12 chipboard memory book I am making him. I wanted to stitch and cover the chipbard with his shirt then use the rest of the shirt as well as trim, matting or even stitch it to the paper. Ya know some of those memories that only a dress or favorite shirt could inspire...the ones your kids loved & lived in no matter what. I have a few of his shirts that I swear are in too many photos as well my daughters dresses...now shirts for my daughter as well. Any thoughts? would love to incorporate my photos & memories with their favorite clothing items from when they were younger.

[Katie Squires]

Go Donna Go!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Stacey]

I am right there with you every step of the way - but over here in the flat lands - I am runnin a week after you - my goal is a full marathon - but I'd be happy to run a half again - maybe just a bit faster than before. Anywho - you impress me and inspire me - I think you rock!!! GO DONNA GO!!!

[Paula]

ra.cha.cha. that's awesome! I've never been a runner but am now training for my first 5k. go go go!

[Renee']

:) Donna yesterday was day one for my training too - I'm doing my first 1/2 marathon - those little hills are killing me too...I thought I was going to die this morning...but I made it to my stopping point and ran the entire way!!!

[Denise]

You are such an inspiration Donna and, with your determination, I'm sure you'll complete that 1/2 marathon without a problem. I am a breast cancer survivor and am determined to run the Run For The Cure this year with my husband and youngest daughter. I'm not (yet) a runner but I want to improve my fitness while, at the same time, supporting the cause.

[artdeclassified]

Donna - I'm starting my training for a 1/2 marathon in October (and I am doing my first 5K next month). While I've been working out with a trainer for the past 6 months, running is still difficult! I think it is all mind games.....
Anyway, you can do it and now after reading this blog entry, I am inspired to get through it and do the 5K AND not wimp out on the 1/2 marathon!!

~Karen Desmet

[artdeclassified]

Donna - I'm starting my training for a 1/2 marathon in October (and I am doing my first 5K next month). While I've been working out with a trainer for the past 6 months, running is still difficult! I think it is all mind games.....
Anyway, you can do it and now after reading this blog entry, I am inspired to get through it and do the 5K AND not wimp out on the 1/2 marathon!!

[artdeclassified]

Why oh why does it say "The Spies" on my comment (that posted twice!). LOL!! I guess that is on my blog? LOL!

[artdeclassified]

ok, just fixed it...I'm a dork!!! :)

[Alison Shearer]

Well done - you have been inspiring me on my own journey for a few months now (all the way over in Asutralia). I am not running much yet but it is the next step.My weight loss and general fitness are well underway but I do wan to run (more than 1km without feeling like dying) and your stories help me with that(along with a very funny book I just discovered by Dawn Dais). Thanks and good luck.

Alison

[Rachel Carlson]

YOU GO WITH YOUR BAD SELF! you look fantastic. i'm so very proud of you. ♥ rach

[Samantha]

Way to go! I started up my running again six weeks ago, and I feel so good! I run a little over 2 miles a day, but I'm hoping to increase that distance soon. Have fun on your runs :)

[kelly]

I am train for a 1/2 too...good luck!!! I am running the rock n roll in VA Beach Labor day weekend. The idea of bands and beer after the race totally hooked me!!