As you may or may not know, I am part of a team for the RTB Relay in October in New Jersey. My mileage should be around half marathon distance so I am going to be using a half marathon training plan based on Hal Hidgon‘s intermediate plan. I used his Novice program for my first half and loved it, but this one I had to change a bit.
First of all, I can’t run more than 3-4 times a week because my schedule is very hectic right now. Lately its been more like 3x, which I think is better for my body too. I seem to break down more when I push it and run too much each week so I’m going to ease up on the mileage this time, but making sure to always get in my long runs! I think this will be good for me and my horrible old-lady body.
Another part of this plan is physical therapy and a LOT of strength training. One of the main flaws in my last plan was the lack of this type of exercise and I think it may have contributed to my developing IT Band Syndrome. So now I’m all over this and need to make sure its a big part of what I do.
So here’s the plan.. click it to make it bigger..
Another part of this is that I’m making sure to be flexible with my runs and workouts. I want to try to stick to this as much as possible but I’m totally open to mixing it up a bit as long as I get in my weekly mileage. I’m two weeks in and so far I think this plan will work for me!
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The other day I made an awesome protein smoothie, one of my favorites ever, and decided it was absolutely necessary to share it with everyone! If you remember, I was sent a few packets of Vega Energizing Smoothie powder to review recently by the awesome people at Vega and I loved it! Vega is an all-natural product with:
- Two servings of veggies
- 10 g of complete, plant-based protein
- 5 g of fiber
- 1 g of Omega-3So as you can see, there’s a good reason I love this stuff. Its so healthy! My favorite flavor was Choc-a-Lot Energizing Smoothie, which I loved so much I went and bought a big bag of it. And with it I made this recipe:
This stuff is magic.
Chocolate, Cherry, and Chia Protein Smoothie
(loving the alliteration here)
Ingredients:
1 scoop Vega Choc-a-Lot Energizing Smoothie Powder
10-12 cherries with pits removed
1 cup milk
1 tbsp non-fat greek yogurt (I use Chobani)
1 tbsp chia seeds
1 banana (optional)
Addicted to cherries lately.. my favorite summer fruit!
Hard to put into words how delicious this smoothie is.
Directions are easy: blend all the ingredients together! Add in a few cubes of ice to chill it if you’d like but make sure the ice gets totally chopped and dissolved in the drink! Enjoy 
What’s your favorite fruits to add to smoothies?
Whats your favorite way to get some protein?
that smoothie sure sounds good! i hope that strength training some will keep you injury free! i’m sure biking will be a great cross training option
Thanks! I hope so too
Your smoothie sounds delicious! I’m addicted to cherries now too. I stop by the fruit stand EVERY DAY to get another 1lb haha
I honestly haven’t been real adventurous with my smoothies, but here’s my favorite combo:
- 1/2 banana
- 1/2 cup soy milk
- 1/4 – 1/2 cup cold coffee (or to taste)
- couple cubes of ice
- splash of vanilla extract
- Scoop of SunWarrior vegan vanilla protein powder
- dash of cinnamon
Real simple and go-to tasty! Can also add sugar or honey if you like things sweeter, but the soy milk keeps it pretty sweet.
I buy them all the time too, and are always so tasty looking on the fruit stand haha.
That combo sounds awesome! I never even thought to put coffee in my smoothies.. nice for that extra energy when you need it. I’ll have to try this soon! Thanks girl
Honestly, I like to add chocolate to my smoothies. Wait you asked for fruit…bananas! I love the cherry idea too though. I’ll have to try it!
Haha chocolate is always good in my book
It tastes so good with fruits too so it totally works
that sounds like an awesome smoothie! i just got some vega vanilla almondilla and tropical tango in the mail today. i love adding bananas to smoothies!! SPA LOVE!
The vanilla is really good, I hope you like it
Ha! Just posted about RTB, too!! Sounds like a good plan! We will have to schedule some runs together!
Lets totally run together soon!! Keeps me motivated not to run alone haha
I want to do a RTB, I know they have one in NH. I like blueberries, strawberries, in my smoothies, or pineapple.
I think the NH one is the original, its supposed to be so fun! You should totally sign up next year
I just snacked on some cherries today – loving them. I’ve been fearing smoothies lately because I love them so much – but have found that the ones I’ve been making have a lot of calories and sugars.
Cherries are the best! Love love love em. Fruits definitely have lots of sugars, so its good not to go overboard there
Good luck on your training. That smoothie looks bomb!
Thanks girl!
I’m super excited for your running plan – I am experimenting with being a little more loose with my plan for now.. but I know that is not good for me personally long term! I nominated you for an award on my blog! Thanks for being such a great read! http://livingrunningeating.blogspot.com/2012/08/an-award-for-me.html
Thanks SO much for the nomination! You are awesome
I think it’s great that you have a lot of cross training in your plan! I’m sure it will really help and hopefully keep the IT band injury at bay!
Thanks so much! I hope so too.. crossing my fingers!
mmmm, cherries! that’s awesome you’re doing the relay, sounds like fun.
I’m nervous about it for sure but think it will be a really cool time (I hope, haha)!
Ooh that sounds so good!! I feel ya, I feel like my schedule is so crazy right now!! Must be a NYC thing
It must be!! Its just normal to be busy when you live in this city I think. Although I could use some R&R!
That smoothie looks amazing! I will have to try it sometime!
I think that your plan for RTB looks great, I’m excited to meet you in October
So excited to meet you too
can’t wait!