What are you training for?

10 01 2013

Nothing. And I like it.

I ran with a new running group last night. It’s one I’ve known about for awhile and just have never made it to a run before. It was fun. It reminded me of my running group in DC. Lots of chitchat, talking about local races, plans for the year. And then someone asked me “What are you training for?” And for the first time in as long as I can remember I responded “Nothing”.

And that’s true. I’m not training for anything right now. Sure I have some events on the calendar, but nothing major and nothing I’m training for. It was really nice to say that. It takes pressure off myself. It’s exhausting to always be training for something. Why I felt like I need to is beyond me. There is nothing wrong with running for the sake of running. I like to run. I like to race, but that doesn’t mean I need to always be training for something. No wonder I was burned out.

51QlqI3yaOL._SL500_AA300_So far I’m really liking my plan of race less and be smart about my running. In addition to running I am actually doing some strength and core work for the first time in years. I hate(d) strength work, but it’s supposedly important and all so I guess I’ll give it a try. I started Jillian Michael’s 30 Day Shred this week. I bought maybe a year ago, and then promptly ignored it. Since I decided to mix things up a bit I dusted it off, removed the plastic (more evidence I never touched it), got out my hand weights (also still with the tags on them), and my mat and pushed play. I’ve done it four days in a row. Day two was the easiest. I’m not sure how I feel about it on the days I run, but since my mileage is (purposely) low I’m giving it a try. By starting it last weekend my goal is to do it every day before I leave for South America (the timing worked out quite well, there was no forethought on that one).

The plan will continue to be run and have fun, mix it up, and finish #30DayShred.

In the mean time I’m heading to Madison for Badger Basketball and shenanigans with Katie and Jen.


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Categories : Training

Running Ups and Downs

2 01 2013

I was afraid to recap last year. I was terrified to count up the miles. I didn’t want to see the number. I didn’t want to know how my couch bonding time affected the numbers. I know the numbers are arbitrary, but I also know that I was only injured for about a month of my lower mileage time. I don’t know what frustrated me so much about running this fall/early winter, but I just didn’t want to do it, so I didn’t. I didn’t run a single mile in December. Not one. I have somehow decided not to dwell on that. Normally I would obsess over it. I decided to tally up my miles today. I’m not disappointed. I’m actually surprised with what I ended up.

mileage

Total: 929

Highest Mileage Month: March with 119

Miles run with Sara: 571

Half Marathons: 6

The fun I had running and racing with friends last year is immeasurable. I had so much fun traveling, racing, not sleeping, plotting, cheering, making new friends and running.

My goals for 2013 are simple:

  • Find some balance
  • Enjoy running

I will be racing less for many reasons. I will only run half marathons or shorter. I will not under any circumstance register for another marathon. I want to run with Sara. I want to have more adventures with Mo and Kelsey. Katie might even get me to run in Minnesota.

I started 2013 off with the Polar Bear Dash on New Year’s Day with Sara, Jen, and Jodi. It was cold. It was fun. And I started the year with 3.1 miles.

Polar Bear Dash


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The emotions of marathon training

6 08 2012

I had one of those terrible horrible make you question why train for marathon runs this weekend. I know those are bound to happen. I know it’s the weather, but it is so defeating. I was mad. I was upset. I wanted to get to my planned mileage. But I didn’t. I couldn’t. It just wasn’t going to happen.

Now I expected there to be ups and downs during my marathon training. That is bound to happen. This is the third time I have trained for a marathon. I kind of know what to expect. I also know to expect the unexpected and that so much is out of my control. But I wanted this to be different. I foolishly thought it would be easier. I have no idea why, but I thought it was going to be. I have the experience of having run a marathon and having not made it to the starting line. I know the good and the bad. That doesn’t make it any easier. Not even a little bit. I wanted this to go smoothly.

I was supposed to be training with Sara, but it’s summer and life happens. We are both really busy. We still get to do a lot of out weekday runs together, but we have barely been able to match up any of our long runs. We did have one totally amazing run on what can only be described as a magical day. It wasn’t hot, it wasn’t humid, it was actually nice running weather. I want that all the time. I know that’s unrealistic, but it’s what I want.

I never expected the summer from hell. I know summer running isn’t easy, but this is horrendous. It’s killing my spirit and my desire to run. But I am not ready to give up. I still want to run the 26.2 miles. I still want to cross the finish line. I still want to do it all. I want to do the 20 mile training runs. I am prepared for the ups and downs that will come over the next few months. And on October 7 I will toe the start line with Sara by my side and we will both cross the finish line with smiles on our faces.


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July in Review

1 08 2012

I think mother nature won this month. It’s good to know it wasn’t just me though. Turns out it was the hottest July ever on record in Wisconsin. I never actually threw a tantrum, but I sure got close. And I definitely bitched a lot.

Total Mileage: 78 <— Yuck
Miles with Sara: 61
Total Miles to date: 716
Longest Run: 16, which went 800 times better than the almost 16 in June.
Races: Big 10K, Cudahy Classic

This should have been a much higher mileage month, but I just couldn’t do it. I’m not worried about my Lakefront training. The killer 16 miler I had felt great. And I have a big run coming up this weekend. August will be good. I will hit my miles and my workouts.

July was still lots of fun. I went to Phoenix for my cousin’s wedding and had a blast with extended family. My brother was in the country for something like 9 days so that was fun. We had Wisconsin beer and Italian wine. We ate good food.

Me, Levi, Dad and Mom

I got to run a fun inaugural race with two of my favorite race buddies: Mo and Kelsey. And I followed it up with running a 10 mile race the next day with Sara.

It was a good month, but fair riddance to July. I’m ready for a new month. August will bring the Madison Mini and all kinds of other fun summer events.


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Categories : Just Me, running

June in Review

1 07 2012

Another month gone. And we are suddenly halfway through the year. I am generally happy with where my running is. This was busy month with some serious motivational issues for me. I still can’t really say what it was, but I had 9 mile week. I don’t really want to dwell on that anymore.

Total Mileage: 109
Miles with Sara: 69
Total Miles to date: 638
Longest Run: 15.86 miles of hot, humid, miserableness – longest run since August 2010
Races: Ragnar Chicago; Bacon Race – 1st in my age group!; Rock’N'Sole Half Marathon

And in the midst of all of this I closed on my new house and moved. Buying a house is probably the most grown up thing I have done. A huge thanks to my parents who helped me with the move. Thankfully this move was 800 times less stressful than the last. I love my house.

I am now marathon training. It’s not a question anymore. October is only 3 months away. I foresee some mental freakouts before I get to the start line. But I have my coach and Sara to talk me down. My remaining race schedule is much more reasonable than the early part of the year.

July brings a trip to Phoenix (ew 112 degree forecast); my brother coming home!; the Big Ten 10K with my fave race buddies, Mo and Kelsey; and some long distance runs that I need to mentally prepare for.


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Categories : friends, races

Marathon Training: The Beginning

6 06 2012

Remember when I signed up for the Lakefront Marathon back in February? So it’s been a few months and while I know it’s out there I haven’t really thought about marathon training. Well that’s not completely true. I have thought about it, but not in the sense that it should start soon. Then Kelsey had to go and tell me it is in 18 weeks. And then Mo blogged about it too. Stupid friends. I was happily living in my own world.

The good news: I have a ridiculous base to go into marathon training with this time. I have run 25-30 miles a week almost every week since November. The only month under 100 miles since October was January. I run 12-14 miles on any given weekend.

The bad news: I have never successfully trained for a marathon. Yes, I have completed one, but I got injured, never ran my 20 mile training run and had to completely change my goals

The good news: I am a strong and smarter runner now. I am not training alone or blindly. In addition to having a running coach I have Sara. Running with Sara is fantastic. I know I have gone on and on about this, but I never truly understood how helpful it is to have a running buddy so well matched to your own abilities.

So in essence I’m not exactly sure when “official” marathon training starts, but it’s going to happen and I am going to be ready for it.


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