Goals

I had a talk with a runner friend over the weekend and basically realized I was setting myself up to fail!  I knew my goals for the half marahon were fairly lofty, but hadn't stopped to reexamine them.  I basically had picked an arbitrary number and decided I wanted that to be my goal time.  2:15:00.  What?  I've been pushing and pushing myself and feeling worse about my training, and for what?  To reach a stupid time I randomly decided I could meet? 

Not anymore.  I re-did my training plan, and re-thought my goals.  My new goal time is 2:35:00.  I was reminded that most people run their first half-marathon with the goal of finishing, not breaking records.  That's what the second race is for! 

I'm glad I realized this before I ended up at the finish line in 3 hours.  My long runs have been at a pace that I have a hard time keeping and then I feel bad about the run.  My first long run at the revised long run pace is this weekend, at the race site.  Hopefully seeing what the terrain is like (hilly, gravel, no pavement!) along with a more suitable pace will make me feel confident in my training and in myself.

I've also decided not to run the Rock 'n' Roll Half in Denver in Sept.  I thought it would be a lot of fun, but when I think about it, I get stressed out.  Flights aren't cheap, and neither is the race (compared to the Moose Mountain Half:  $40).  I get worried that I'll finish the first race and not want to do one for six MONTHS, let alone six weeks.  I've been told the altitude makes a huge difference, and I won't have a chance to run there prior to the race. 

I think one race is enough for this year, unless I find one closer to home.  I'm also interested in the Disney Princess Half, either in Cali or Florida, but that will depend on the scheduling of a destination wedding we have in January.

I feel really good about both my decision to re-evaluate my goals and to not run the Rock 'n' Roll half.  I think I can finish my first Half Marathon strong, and then plan accordingly.  Maybe I'll be kicking myself for not booking Denver, but I'd rather wish I was there than be at the starting line wishing I was anywhere else.

Long Runs and the Mental Aspect of Running

Last night I talked myself out of my 14K planned run.  I started outside, running just over 4K.  It was not fun.  It felt like every street was an uphill mountain, the sun was beaming more than it had all week, and my legs and lungs hurt.  I had to use the bathroom so made my way home. 

This is where I fell apart. 

I talked myself into doing the last 10K on the treadmill.  A nice compromise, I thought.  I still get in the mileage but in a way that boosts my confidence.  Well.  The first two km felt like a hundred.  The next quarter of a kilometer took forever.  By the time I hit the 6k mark, I told myself that if I made it to 10, I could stop.  So I did 10K and called it a night.  

For the first time since I started running, I cut my run short.  Usually I'm excited about my long runs as each week is a new distance record.  Not this week.  I told myself that it had been a long time since the last scale back week (looking now it has only been three weeks).  I told myself my body needed it, which maybe it did.  Just be glad you're doing this much.  I am.  But missing long runs won't get me to the finish line.

I know it's only one run.  As a new runner, I need to find better ways to keep my mind busy on long runs.  Get in the zone and go, not constantly checking my Garmin to see if it's over yet.  I get bored and that's when the negotiating starts. 

I need to look at the positive of this week.  I've switched my training schedule around to accomodate a trip to the big city this weekend.  My tempo run Monday and hills Tuesday both felt really good.  So what if I had one crappy run?  One out of three ain't bad!

Happy running!

Well hello.

I stumbled upon my blog today.  It's been so long I didn't even remember the name of the darn thing anymore. 

Lots has happened in the last 15 months. 

I've welcomed babies into the world (not mine) and had to say goodbye to some wonderful people.  I got married.  Got another kitty.  Found a job I like a million times more than my old one (but could stand to be a bit busier).  I celebrated Christmas for the very first time without being at home.  I failed a test for the first time in my life, and appealed the result because I didn't want to believe it.  I stopped counting points because free fruits and vegetables made me eat about 20 servings a day.  I started training for a 10K, which turned into a 5K and then continued training for a half marathon that I will run on 08/12/12 (which is NOT my six year anniversary).  I didn't lose any weight, but somehow fit into two pairs of old jeans.
 
I like the idea of blogging, but can't ever seem to commit long term.  Maybe third try's the charm?