Running Goals - I'm Done For the Year

The good news is I ran this week, and I felt pretty great!  It was hot, 5:30 pm on an 80+ day = not great, but it's what worked for the family.  The heat I tell you it's just not good for me.  Only did two miles, and kept a nice easy pace, and still started feeling sick. Safe to say I won't be moving to the south ever!

But, I was happy to find that my legs and back felt really great, which was a bit of a surprise given I haven't run in 3 weeks.  I'm doing 4 miles this morning, much cooler, and keeping it nice and easy still.

My goal this year was to PR all my distances (1/2 marathon, 10K, 5K), and I'm realizing now that was sort of a dumb goal.  It takes a lot of training physically, mentally, and emotionally to PR, and honestly I'm tapped out.

The one I really wanted was the 1/2, and I did that so I'm officially letting go of the 10K and 5K.  On top of the fact I'm in no way ready to try and PR the 10K I have in 2 weeks.  Just not going to happen...Plus, I'm sort of over the numbers game that running can turn into.  

I'm already working on setting up next years races to = max fun, and think I may take a year off from having a big running goal for the year.  Don't get me wrong...it's important to have goals because it keeps you moving forward.  But, setting a goal for an entire year doesn't leave much room for illness, injury, or life in general, and when you only have one big goal the whole year is a pass or fail in one swoop.    

Maybe next year is the year I focus on being a more well rounded runner by bringing trail running back (Dad that means you and I finding a race to do!), volunteering more (it's stressing me out how little I've given back to running this year), getting back to my regularly scheduled runs with friends, setting goals for each training cycle/race (if I decide to set any at all for each race) and just running to run because I love it and it's fun.

All this running talk = it's time for my morning run!  Before I go though a few Sky pics...

No big deal, just climbing on top of the trailer while no one is looking.  

Most mornings start with "You want to cuddle me on the couch Mommy" 

This book is going everywhere with us lately.  She won't leave the house without it. 

 Today is the last day of the challenge and I'm starting right over with day 1 and doing it again...I love my Mind Body Mat time with her that much! 

Silly girls!

Big step...meeting her teacher and exploring her classroom...she loved it!

She was up there talking about going to school and meeting her teacher, and in the process also started waving to everyone we know and calling people out by name.  "Hi Daddy, I go to school", "Hi GammyGampy, I go to school" (she runs their names together for some reason), and on and on and on through all her family and friends.  She ended with, "I go see Reagan now"...(we didn't go see her btw).

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How do you set your running goals?

Anyone racing over the long Holiday weekend?

What are you last weekend of summer plans?

 

Roller Coaster of Running Emotions

I have been a blog slacker!

It happens sometimes I guess.  All I can say is that life has been busy, and most of my online time is now work time, which is a good thing.  At least it's productive and I'm making a bit of money sharing a product I love with others!  Plus, it's World Cup and that has been a big distraction!

Speaking of here's a look at my current nail situation...

  So much fun!

Mostly though I was on a bit of a running emotions roller coaster with the knee situation, and just didn't feel like blogging.

I think goals are a good thing so don't take this wrong...but I'm realizing the problem with setting a goal for a specific race and pinning the whole year's running on that one big race.  It makes it really hard to let go and do what's right/smart vs pushing harder than you probably should and making things worse.  (Even though my goal is to pr all my distances hitting the pr I want for the half was the #1 focus for me).

I had a strong talk with myself and reminded myself that I registered for a back-up race for a reason, that my goal was just a random goal I set for the year in order to stay focused and motivated, and as such life does not depend on me hitting that goal, and that my long term running ability and health are more important than some stupid numbers on a clock at the finish line.

It sure does seem that when numbers are involved in life it's way easier to obsess...numbers on a scale, numbers on a watch, daily/weekly/monthly/yearly miles etc.  I had to remind myself that there is a reason I don't own a scale...I can't use it in a healthy way, and if I can't run for the joy of it and stop obsessing about pace, and how my 4 or 6 mile time may translate into my 13.1 time then I'm going to have to not own a Garmin as well.  

It's kind of funny to me that after having a strong convo with myself and letting go of what I thought this race was going to be, and focusing instead on running smart and just making it to the start line healthy, things came together on yesterdays run!

  Ran with the watch mostly to keep track of miles, not pace.  I kept it fairly flat and ran what felt good and only looked at the watch towards the end so I didn't go over 6.

This is the first nearly pain free run I've had since this whole knee thing popped up.  I would say it was 85% pain free, and the pain that did twinge here and there was way less intense than what it has been...progress! I have let go of pushing for a PR pace and am just focusing on an easy'ish, sustainable pace that feels good for my breathing, cadence, and my knee.

I'm also adding on miles slowly.  Two miles a week to the long run and the shorter runs during the week are about half of what the should be at this point.  Two miles may seem like a lot, but I'm only up to 6 miles and at this point in the training I should be at 11...way behind.  I should still hit 12 before race day, but my taper time is going to be way less than normal.

After I get my knee worked on this week I'll start adding miles onto the short runs as well, provided everything feels good.  My new goal is to make it to the start line period, and finishing.  It stressed me out for a bit, but I'm letting go of arbitrary goals and just focusing on running smart, doing what works for my knee, and having fun.  I really love the Tacoma Narrows course, and Dad is going to race chase again, so I have a lot to look forward to!

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How do you set your running goals?  Do you have a yearly goal, monthly, weekly, race by race?

I tend to set a goal for the year, but out of my 3 years of running I've only hit my goal once.  Last year when I qualified for Half Fanatics, the first year I missed it (run a race a month for the year) and this year isn't looking so great, but we will see.  Clearly I may need to change how I set my running goals.  

Thoughts on Running Faster

I hope everyone had a great weekend!  I know most people dread Monday's, but even when I was working outside the home I kind of liked them.  It's the start to a new week, new beginnings, and a chance to get back on track after the weekend fun.  Make today a great day, and the week will follow! 

I have been asked/had comments about why I'm running so much faster in such a short amount of time.  (Specifically from Sep of last year until now.  Last year was about qualifying for Half Fanatics, so I didn't give pace much thought  until after the last half in Sep).  And, it got me to thinking Why am I running faster?  Since my goal this year is to PR every distance I run it would actually be good to know!   

Let's be honest here, 9 to 8:30 minute miles (depending on how motivated I am) is not fast for some, but given that when I started running I was closer to 11:30-12 and for the longest time got stuck at 10, then yeah anything 9 or under is fast - For Me! 

 Sunrise from Saturday Morning's run!

Here's what I think:

-Tuesday Night Run Group - It's a fast group, and despite this being my fastest run of the week I'm still finishing towards the back, but it's getting easier. 

-Tuesday Night/Wednesday Morning group runs - I torch my legs Tuesday night with speed then turn around and push the stroller Wednesday morning.  The two hardest runs of the week are back-to-back so to speak.  It probably goes against "proper" training wisdom but there is something to be said for pushing 40 to 50 lbs on already tired legs.  It's a great workout!  

-Conventional training says that the first run after your long run should be slow and easy.  My long runs happen on the weekends and then the next run I do is the speedy Tuesday night run. 

-I'm inevitable going to get as fast as I naturally can just by running more.  Without speed work, or putting ton's of effort or thought into pace I know that the more I run the more I naturally speed up.  

-Good Form Running has made a huge difference.  It makes it way easier to be comfortable being uncomfortable (from an exertion standpoint) when I'm pushing the pace.  

-adidas Energy Boost - Some people say shoes don't matter, I'm here to tell you they do!  Now that I'm in the right shoe I feel like I can run as fast I want for as long as I want.  It's not true...yet.  But, I'm a more confident runner in the Boost than any other shoe, and feel like I can hit my 1/2 goal this year!

-I have given myself the freedom to run alone.  In no way is this a reflection of those I run with...I know that every single one of them could run faster than I can on any given day.  The fact is there is some freedom when you run alone.  I can run how I want, the time of day I want, and I can focus on what my needs are.  I don't have to worry about if someone else is having a good day, needs to take it easy, has an injury etc.  It may sound selfish, but I get to focus on me, my running, my pace and I can make myself as uncomfortable as I want to and not feel bad about it.  I have never done this before, but I'm picking specific races to run alone, and will do all the training runs alone.  Or, if someone does want to join me I will be upfront about the pace I'll be running and that I won't be adjusting my training or pace.      

-I'm a social runner, despite the previous bullet point, I prefer to run with friends or in a group.  So, while I will be pushing myself I will also be taking breaks here and there.  Right now my race schedule is more social than PR attempts.  I have a few fun/social races taking place during training for the 1/2 I'm going to PR...it's all about balance and not losing my love of running!

-I foam roll, stretch, and get massages as needed.  I'm staying on top of injury prevention and when things do pop up I'm quick to get it taken care of. 

-It took a few years for me to feel like a runner, and I think I spent a lot of time underestimating what I'm capable of.  I feel great about where I'm at in my running life, I have a training schedule that I know works for me, and I'm enjoying pushing the pace to an uncomfortable level and seeing how long I can maintain it.  I'm stronger mentally with my running and just more confident overall.    

Are you a social runner, or solo runner?

What are your running goals this year?

  

#5024

Half Fanatic #5024...that's me!  I spent some time on the fanatic site today updating my profile, adding myself to the 1/2 I'm registered for next year, and adding my race history.  And, yes I had a huge smile on my face the whole time!

It almost makes me cry just thinking about it.  I was so anti running for so long, and then so I'll never run more than a 5K, and then I don't know what happened.  Somehow I fell in love with running and started setting a yearly running goal.  Last year was to run a race a month for a year, but due to injury I only got 10 races in.  I did it this year though!  I set my goal and I reached it!!!! 

Don't worry, I'll get this out of my system and stop posting about it all the time.  But, right now it's still so new and I'm still really proud of myself for doing it.  Plus, I kind of feel like as long as my legs are sore enough to remind me that I ran a hilly race then I can keep being excited/proud about it.  ;-)

I'm slowly moving on though.  I'm already considering what my 2014 running goal will be.  I think I'm settled on it, but not sure enough to share yet.  Interesting tidbit...I have finished all 4 halves within a 4 minute window.  I'm nothing if not consistent...may be time to change that though.    

One thing I didn't like was turning my calendar to Oct and seeing this...

 

...a blank month.  For the last 5 months every month has been inked in with training runs and races, and it's strange having a blank month.  So, to fill it up I added my 30 day challenge schedule.  Love seeing what I need to do inked in each and every day! 

Today starts a 30 day plank and squat challenge.  Both of which I found on Pinterest.  I find it hard to believe I'll be doing a 5 minute plank by day 30, but I'm going to!  I'm going to have to wait a few days to start the squat challenge though.  Given the fact that my legs are still sore and I'm still having muscle spasms in the hamstrings I think it best to let them rest a few more days. 

Laying low today.  I feel like my body knows my big challenge is over and it's now ok to get sick.  My sinuses are acting up and just feel tired and sore.  Some of that is from the race I know, but I totally feel a cold coming on too.  Enjoying this last day to lay around lazy (I did do my plank challenge for the day though) in pj's, but also looking forward to getting my running legs back and joining the stroller group tomorrow for a fun easy 3 miles. 

What's your biggest running, or other fitness related, accomplishment?