Congrats on finishing your first challenge!

Couple questions... have you ran/trained for a half marathon before? I would be concerned about burnout, but you are definately conditioned to start after finishing a challenge.

Typically, when I train for a run, I only do three runs a week. Any more than that wrecks total havoc on your knees. I would trade up HIITs for training runs. You really shouldn't be doing both, you will get burnt out. fast. My three training runs are a speed session (similar to a HIIT), pace run, and a long run. I would do the long run on Saturday if your free day is Sunday, that way you'll be a little more recovered by the next lifting day.

Just my two cents. :) have fun!

Hello Karen!  Happy New Year :))) How impressive that you have come so FAR with great success to begin your 2011! 2 DRESS SIZES.... HOly Smokes!!!  Its mind blowing that you are now training for a marathon... YOU GO GIRL!!! YOU CAN DO IT! Maybe try to wieght train first and then run?? See how it feels. YOu have this :)) ~jessA

Thank you guys SOOO much!!

Ive actually been running for the past 2 years...I've done countless 5k's and a few 10k's. So Im ready to step up my game and challenge myself to the 1/2 marathon.  

However I am also afraid that I might burn out too....BUT I already made the commiments. And Im a LEO...so Im NOT about to back down.

I think I'll  take your advise Bay and save my long runs for Saturdays and rest those knees on Sundays.

Thanks JessA.,.....it feels GREAT....Im a BFLife'r...thats for sure.

OH....BTW  what is "HIITs" ?  

HIIT = High Intensity Interval Training -- the protocol for BLF cardio sessions.

Ohhhh okay...gotcha!!!  Thanks!

Grovita-Check out Jeff Galloway's program. That is what I'm following now. I have 3 successful challenges under my belt as well as 3 months of maintenance so with the strong foundation of BFL, I'm venturing out there a little bit!

I'm doing a 1/2 on March 20th in Atlanta. Excited but scared at the same time!  =)

Grovita-  I am currently training for my 5th half marathon.  I have done BFL for all of them.  I just use the cardio days as my running days.  I also sometimes run on days when I do upper body.  

Good luck!  You will love completing your first half!

BrenD-how much do you run?? My longest running distance is the 5K! So I'm kinda nervous about this 1/2 in March!

BrenD....WOW 5 of them!!!!  Thats AWESOME!!!!!  

I am looking forward to running it. Im just scared I might burn out in the process. How did you avoid that?

I am excited to be reading all your post. Thsi is my first time doing BFL. this past year I lost 50 pounds by changing what I am eating and walking and jogging. I did my first ever 5k without stopping about 2 months ago and last day of the year I completed a 5 miles run without stopping. I for sure want to keep running too and just trying to put it all together. Thanks for posting this question!

This thread is super interesting. I'm working on a challenge and training for a 10 mi race (my first race ever...I must be nuts).

I have a good strength foundation, so as far as that is concerned, I'm more about maintenance and endurance. It's more time in the gym, but I'm running 3-4 days per week and doing two full body workouts.

I also bought a book of yoga exercises (Slim, Calm, Sexy by Tara Stiles) and there are about 50 15-minute routines so I can throw those in on one or two days to work on flexibility.

This is a pretty ambitious plan, so it may need readjusting along the way. I don't think you have anything to lose by varying your workouts in serious ways.

I'm so glad there are fellow runners doing BFL!  

Grovita- I try to run 4 miles 3 or 4 times a week.  I do my long runs on Saturdays.  I usually have to eat more carbs the night before my long runs though.

Jewelrydiva-you can definetly keep up the running!

I think it will take away from your ability to build muscle. When you are doing distance running your body wants to get rid of all muscle that is not contributing into the run. Means it wants to get rid of biceps triceps pecs as these muscles are not contributing to the movement and are dead weight requiring to be pulled along.

I found that when I was doing rapid 20 minute speed intervals they were intense on bodyfat but were not long enough to make me loose muscle. These combined with weights create the optimum physical transformation and that is why I think the BFL program is what it is. Scientifically it makes sense to finish cardio within 20 minutes and in my experience as well it made sense.

:)

Im ALSO sooo excited that we have some runners too!!!  WOW were NOT alone!  Thanks guys for ALL your advise.  Im going to do my long runs on Saturdays.....I think thats the best game plan!  Oh and I do usually up my carbs the night before a run. Its one of my fav. parts about running...carbs!! :)

Check you out Margo and JewerlyDiva.....AWESOME!!!  I LOVE IT!!! Good luck to all of you!

Keep us updated on your runs.