Was it a goal race?

Things have been super crazy lately and I feel a little overwhelmed. That being said, it’s a race weekend! Training has definitely taken a back to seat to the other things going on in my life, but since it is only a 5k I am not too worried about it. I know I can finish the distance, but my time won’t be where I want it to be and that’s OK. I have accepted that and just plan on giving everything I have in me and being happy with the result. This race also marks the 1-year-anniversary of the first race I trained for. I finished last year in 32:41 so I am excited to see the difference a year makes.

I am planning to get in one last 5 miler tonight and then go out of town through Saturday evening. Hopefully it won’t have an affect on my performance. The weather doesn’t look like it will be too hot and I am feeling excited. Surprisingly I haven’t put too much pressure on myself and feel relaxed about Sunday.

My goal had originally been to run this race in 27:xx, but I just don’t think that is a realistic number at the moment and I don’t want to make myself crazy over it. Also, after this race I will begin a 20-week (excessive, I know!) training cycle for my first 10 mile race in September and I am already dreaming about that. This training cycle will include my first 10k race as well so there is a lot to look forward to!

TGIF! I will check back in on Sunday after the race!

When to reevaluate goals

Four months have already passed in 2013. A lot has happened this year already and with 8 months left in the year, I can’t help but look at the goals I have set for myself and how things are going.

1. Run 1100 miles for the year. While I am definitely behind on this goal, I am confident I can still achieve it. I will need to average about 100 miles a month for the rest of the year. A difficult goal? Yes. Impossible? No.

2. Run a 25:xx minute 5k. Speed work, speed work, speed work! That’s the only way I will achieve this goal (and cooler temperatures!)

3. Run a 7:xx minute mile. Again, speed work. I definitely think this is attainable in the fall when the weather cools down again.

4. Run a 10k race. I will do this in August no matter how my training goes!

5. Run a 10 mile race. I will do this in September no matter how my training goes!

Ok, I think all my goals for 2013 are still attainable!

I was going to make my 5k on May 12 a goal race and aim for a 27:59. I am not sure this goal is attainable based on my training (aka lack of speed work!). However, I will still give it my all and see what happens. I’ve pretty much firmed up my race schedule for the rest of the year and I am pretty excited to see how that goes. Here’s to continued improvement!

A running slump

I continue to send my thoughts and prayers to the people affected by the explosions at the Boston Marathon.

source

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Lately I feel like I am losing my running mojo. I have barely tried to keep set paces or distances and have been struggling to get through my workouts. No speed work, no hill work, no long runs. I love the sport. I love the feeling of accomplishment, but lately… I just haven’t had it. Physically I am capable, mentally I am not.

I have many goals when it comes to running. I think the #1 goal I have in mind is to get  faster. I am not a naturally fast runner nor am I even naturally athletic. I dream of being able to consistently run 7-8 min miles. I know that achieving my goals will take a lot of hard work. I am not afraid of hard work. I want to give it my all, but sometimes it is hard to look at where I’ve been rather than where I want to be.

When I first started running I could barely do a mile without stopping. Now I can run 8 miles without stopping. When I first started running I couldn’t run a mile faster than 10:xx minutes. Now I can run a mile in 8:42 (only one at a time, though!). My first 5k was 32:41. My current PR is 28:17. I have logged over 700 miles over the last year and gone through 3 pairs of running shoes. I have run in extreme heat and extreme cold. I have run through wind and rain. I have logged countless miles on the treadmill to escape the snow. I have woken up at 6 am just to race. I can’t deny my progress. I can clearly see how much I have improved and yet… I want more.

Now that the weather is changing again and the heat is spreading across the east coast, I am feeling sluggish and disinterested. Running in the heat is extremely difficult. I feel like it sucks the life out of me. I also made the mistake of spending most of the winter on the treadmill and now hills tire me out. Hopefully, I can get my mind back in it and put in the hard work and dedication I know I am capable of giving.

******All of this is really secondary to the fact that I am so thankful just to have the ability to run. Things like the Boston Marathon bombings really put life into perspective. I am praying constantly for the victims and their families. This has made me even more determined to one day qualify for the Boston Marathon and show terrorists that we refuse to be terrorized******

Boston

My thoughts and prayers go out to everyone affected by the tragedy at the Boston Marathon.

Weekly Recap

Workouts for the week:

Monday: Jillian Michaels Ripped in 30 level 3 // Supreme 90 Cardio challenge

Tuesday: 3 miles easy (2 outside/1 treadmill) // Jillian Michaels 30 day shred level 2

Wednesday: 5 miles easy (treadmill)

Thursday: 5 miles easy (treadmill)

Friday: Rest

Saturday: 5 miles easy (treadmill)

Sunday: 2.8 miles (WAS NOT FEELING THIS RUN!)

Total: 20.8 miles

This is closer to what I want my weeks to consistently look like. My goal 5k (which isn’t look too promising as far as my goal goes) is on May 12 and after that I want to dive into training for my 10k/10 miler in August and September, respectively. I will be looking to average 30 miles a week for that training, but as a newer runner I am still just rolling with the punches. I am feeling good and I think my body can handle 30 miles a week as long as I am smart about it. I don’t know if that will include adding a 3 mile run on Monday and increasing my long run, or just running more miles on the days I already run. I am leaning toward the extra day, but I will decide in a few weeks.

Hope you are having a good weekend!