October is now in the rearview mirror but it will be missed!
While I didn’t continue my “more mileage each month” trend, I did run two races this month including my first 10k and I saw my pace start to get faster. I even had a 4 minute PR in my 5K!
But now there is no training plan to greet me each morning. Instead there are frosty temps and total darkness that could easily leave me clinging to my blankets and hitting the snooze button. As a newbie runner my big fear is shrinkage…mileage shrinkage that is! Yeah I know that there’s always the treadmill. And, despite how much I loathe the ‘Mill, I will probably have to embrace it at some point. BUT…let’s just say that I don’t see the ‘Mill being a shrinkage cure-all for me!
Without a race to train for, I need to set some new goals:
- Improve my core strength
- Get back in the gym and hit the weights
- Improve my flexibility….Ok who are we kidding? My hamstrings are so tight this goal should probably just be “find some flexibility!”
- And, yes maintain my mileage base…and dare I say, increase it?!
For a little added incentive, I’m joining the Holiday Bootie Buster Challenge hosted by Amanda at RuntoTheFinish. Check out her challenge here.
I’m still toying with the idea of a Turkey Trot or Jingle Bell Run but haven’t decided yet – stay tuned!
those are all important goals, I have a couple of the same ones!
For sure sign up for a Turkey Trot! It’s a good start to a day that’s dedicated to eatting!
If you’re scared you might run less because of the change of season maybe go for longer runs on Saturday or Sunday? Last winter I started at 6,miles and increased a mile every weekend until I got to 11, then started to do more research on distance running. But if you do a longer run on the weekend you don’t have to feel so bad about not running as much during the week.. Just a thought..
An option to the treadmill is running outside. I wear YakTrax, they fit over your running shoes, and comfortably run on both snow and ice.
Have you ever thought about writing an e-book or guest authoring on other blogs?