A Mere Mortal Can Still Have Goals! :)

In my last post I admitted that it has been 3 weeks since my last run. This was a major set back to the progress I was making in increasing my ability to run 10 miles straight. Paired with this discouragement I missed out on the half marathon I had been planning for months. I find the best medicine to help get over running set backs and disappointments is to make new goals. Rip off that band aid, followed by picking a new race. Ignore your body's whining pain and come up with a new schedule to and an area that needs improvement. As I wallowed in my depressed funk last night after realizing I was not going to participate in the Rock Canyon Half Marathon, I browsed the Running in the USA website in search for my next race. As I realized that there were not many half marathon options in the winter time, I decided it would be best for me to focus on my 5K and 10K time. Then, POW! I have a plan!

This is really all happening with timing that couldn't be better since next week is my last week of Fall Term. That means I can start my training program this week! Research! This means that Jessi gets to research some strength training circuits and some plans to incorporate more speed work intervals!

Right now, my mile averages at about 10-11 or sometimes even higher depending on where I am running. I would like my mile to average 9 -10 minutes. When I race a 5K I tend to finish  the race in around 32-34 minutes. Not horrible, but not great. My 5K races need to be 30 min or less to be where I want them. To do this I know I need to strengthen my legs, arms, and core to help prevent my body from giving up. I also need to focus on speed work to get my lungs and heart used to some extra pumping. Focus, focus, focus!

Here is the crazy part to all my planning: I am considering participating in the Winter Series in Colorado Springs! There are 4 races through out January and February. It might be a fun way to keep my workouts interesting during the cold winter months. One concern I have is about the weather. I am nervous if snow prevents me from making one of the races. I am still considering it, I am giving myself until I return from Oregon for Christmas to commit to it. If I don't commit to these 4 races I will do other races or will commit to a couple of them. I am going to do the St Patrick's Day 5K again, that is for sure! I want to beat last year's time of 32:39!

The Part-time Runner's Disappointments

I was supposed to run in the Rock Canyon Half Marathon here in Pueblo, Colorado this morning. Unfortunately, when I was looking for my bib number online last night my name was not on the list! I remember submitting the form online with the plan to give it a couple days for my app and payment to process. Apparently I got busy and never went back to double check until the night before the race.  When I pulled up the registration list I found that my name was missing! I was beyond devastated. I sent Michael a teary text and angrily searched through my bank account and all my credit cards looking for the charge. Michael responded in his unwaveringly, cool headed way and reminded me that I could still go run in the morning. Registration for the race was closed, so that was out but I could go out for my own race.

This morning I got up and laced up my shoes for the first time in 3 weeks! My run today was not my best run ever. My legs, lungs, and endurance were all a little weak from my time off causing me to struggle through 9 of the 12 miles I ran today. To be exact by distance was 11.65 miles and it took me 2:52:04. Before I started this 11:65 mile run/walk I took my dog Frank for a mile walk. Today was a beautiful day for a run. The weather was a clear 60-65 degrees with a breeze at the beginning. My nose did run the entire time leaving my Kleenex soaked by the end of the run. Gross, but true.

When I go for my long runs I always do an out and back run to ensure that I don't quite early. This time on my way back to the house I decided to cross the 4th Street bridge and walk up to Court Street instead of going down to Union Avenue from the Arkansas River Trail. Let me tell you, I am once again reminded of why I cut 4th street from my route! It is a horrible, noisy, smelly road with too many cars! I prefer going down to Main Street or Union Avenue which leads me through some pretty streets with shop owners that care about their store front. The 4th street bridge is nice but any variation to get from the 4th Street  Bridge and Court is ugly and not worth it.

While my decrease in speed and ability is a discouraging set back, it is what comes with being a being a part-time runner. What matters to me most is that I got out there and went the distance. My muscles scream at me that I have done something active today. Something that remained in my thoughts as I walked sorely back to the house was that I was sedentary for only 3 seeks because of my sickness and then some major school assignments that took over my free time. Only 3 weeks! 3 weeks was all it took for my body to resort back to disliking a nice long run. This encourages me to keep my legs moving to matter what it takes. Even if I can only make it out the door for a walk around the block or the park with Frank, I need to keep my legs moving!

Wherever your fitness level is, keep going. Keep pushing yourself. It is just you and the road. Anyone can do it you just have to get up off the couch and start.