Race Goals

May 27, 2011 by 13 Comments

After signing up for this race back in December, I can’t believe Sunday’s almost here. My first half marathon – I am beyond excited!

My goals for Sunday:

  • Enjoy the moment! To appreciate the fact that less than a year ago, the thought of running my first 5k was a big deal, and now I’ll be running another 5k…just running another 10 miles first!
  • Finish strong! I will not let concern about my knee consume me. I know that if my legs can’t carry me any further, my heart will.
  • Be consistent! In all my long runs I had a tendency to go out too fast. On Sunday, I’d like to strive for consistency mile over mile – I think it will help me to have enough in the tank at the end.
  • Be proud of the effort! I’m trying not to get too caught up in having a goal time – it’s my first race at this distance so whatever the time, it’s a PR, right 🙂

Send some good vibes my way on Sunday, ok? And have a great weekend!

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    Filed Under: goals, Half marathon, race

    My New Target

    March 2, 2011 by 6 Comments

    This lovely necklace came my way about a month ago courtesy of a great giveaway from Marcia at The Studly Runner (aka Running Off at the Mouth).

    Since I received the necklace from Nana’s Jewelry, it’s been sitting in the box it came in on a shelf in my closet — put aside until the 10k training I was currently in was complete.

    Well, the 10k is done and in the books. So on this first day of a new month, it seemed like a good time to bring it out. It may sound corny, but this little necklace will serve as a great reminder and motivator for the journey I’m about to embark on. I’m so excited to go after this goal!

    I’ve decided to treat this week as kind of a step back week — a chance to get my half training plan finalized and give my angry left knee a little break. So I did an easy run of 3 today, and plan to get in some strength training, yoga and couple more easy runs during the rest of this week. Then it will be time to go after my new target…time for another first! I can’t wait to get started!

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    Filed Under: firsts, goals, Half marathon, injuries, training

    Best laid plans….

    February 4, 2011 by 8 Comments

    The plan was to kick February off with a bang!

    After a step back week, I was going to up the mileage this week, I had my strength workouts laid out and the plan was to start and end every day with a little yoga. Sounds good, right?

    Yeah well…the combination of Mother Nature, early school closings, no school and the dreaded stomach bug quickly turned this week into the week that wasn’t. So now I sit here, almost two pounds lighter (but I would strongly advise against this diet approach) trying to tweak my plan so I can stay on my goal to improve my 10k time at Hyannis at the end of the month. I must admit that I’m not feeling very confident. I honestly feel like I’ve been getting slower on the treadmill….is that possible or am I just psyching myself out? Well, whatever it is I’ve got three weeks to shake it off…hmmm, better get back to tweaking….

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    Filed Under: goals, Hyannis 10k, treadmill run, weather

    Hills on the ‘Mill

    January 14, 2011 by 9 Comments

    One of my goals for 2011 is to “embrace hill repeats into my training.” Well lo and behold, on the training plan today was hill work.  The problem? Mother Nature dropped 15″ on my doorstep yesterday. And, while  beautiful, the streets this morning still looked too much like a winter wonderland for hill work. So there was only one choice….face the ‘mill.

    I was determined to not whine about being on the treadmill as I’ve been known to do. New year…new attitude, right? Besides, I figured the challenge of the hill work would help to pass the time. I found a workout on Running Planet called The Foot Hills which was described as an “entry level treadmill hill workout.” Perfect! It looked challenging enough and I liked that with it I would cover 5 miles.

    I’m happy to say I completed it! And, for the first time I ran 5 miles on a treadmill — 3 has always seemed like torture to me! Focusing on the changing inclines and my form really helped the time (and miles) to click by. My glutes and quads are sore, but it’s a good kind of sore if you know what I mean.  And…..no IT issues!! So I will definitely be doing this workout again and checking out other ways to mix-it up on the ‘mill.

    Happy Running!
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    Filed Under: goals, hill work, treadmill run

    A Few Goals for 2011

    December 30, 2010 by 2 Comments

    Being the seriously goal-oriented person that I am, a list of running-related goals for 2011 was inevitable…so here goes:

    1. Run my first half marathon — already registered!
    2. Improve my 10k time
    3. Run at least 6 races (including at least 1 more half) — I will flesh out my race schedule by end of January
    4. Get serious about strength training, especially glutes and hips to help reduce chances for more ITB injury
    5. Pay greater attention to my diet, especially the day before long runs
    6. Embrace hill repeats into my training — this was actually a goal I posted back in July but have yet to take it on
    7. Build my mileage and aim to run 1,000 miles
    8. Run strong (see #4), injury-free…and of course with Attitude 😉
      Have you set your goals for 2011?

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      Filed Under: goals, Half marathon, training

      ITB, TRX and Christmas

      December 24, 2010 by Leave a Comment
      Random Thursday Thoughts…..

      Ice, Roll, Run, Aggravate….Repeat — That’s pretty much been the cycle with my left ITB for the past two weeks. But this week I’ve finally waved the white flag and am giving my angry left leg the rest it obviously needs.

      I went to a TRX demo class last night and my triceps are still not speaking to me! It was a great strength training workout. I signed up for a 6 week session starting in January to help kick the year off right and to help me to hold to one of my 2011 goals to make strength training part of my regular routine.

      There is nothing more magical than seeing Christmas through the eyes of your children! Today was the last day of school for my boys and with Christmas less than 2 days away, they can hardly contain themselves! We’ve watched every holiday special multiple times, and I have to say, the Grinch never gets old for them or me.

      Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas!

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      Filed Under: 3 things, goals, injuries, mileage shrinkage, TRX

      First Half Marathon on the Horizon

      December 21, 2010 by 4 Comments

      After some quiet murmurings and occasional declarations that I want to run a half marathon “at some point” — I have finally taken the leap and registered for my first half!

      On Memorial Day Weekend, I’ll be taking part in Boston’s Run to Remember. The race is a half marathon through the City of Boston in honor of fallen law enforcement officers. I’m both psyched and nervous to actually have a half on my 2011 schedule!

      So I’ll kick the year off with the Hyannis 10k in February and I’m still looking at a bunch of other races for next year, including a couple of other halfs. But first thing’s first….and my first half is finally on the horizon!

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      Filed Under: goals, Half marathon, Hyannis 10k, race

      November – Now What?

      November 4, 2010 by 4 Comments
      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!

         

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      Filed Under: goals, Holiday Bootie Buster, race

      Nagging knees and future planning

      October 18, 2010 by 4 Comments

      I’ve been babying my left knee following Monday’s race. I did go to my usual Pilates class on Wednesday and ventured out for a comfortable 3 mile run on Thursday. All seemed well, until Friday morning when my overly excited German Shepherd came charging down the hall and right into my knee — the good one! Are you kidding me?! My goodness does that dog have a hard head!

      So there was more ice and rest. And yes, I admit that standing most of the evening at the party we went to last night probably didn’t help any! There was no run today but I will get back out to see how things feel tomorrow and hopefully do my planned runs this week. I’m signed up to run a local 5k in a couple of weeks, but I’ll have to see how things go.

      Despite my current knee woes, I can’t help but start to think about future plans and I’ve been eyeing 2011 races. I know for sure that there’s at least one half marathon on the horizon for me…hopefully more than one…but which one will be my first? That I don’t know yet. But, maybe the first question should be how long will it take me to train for one cause that will certainly factor into the “when” of the race. Time to check training plans!

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      Filed Under: goals, injuries, race, training

      Hello October!

      October 1, 2010 by 7 Comments

      Despite the hectic pace of September, I logged 70 miles – my highest monthly mileage so far!

      And now it’s October – race month! I have been inspired by many of you training for your marathons, halfs, 10ks and 5ks. It’s helped me to stay focused and motivated for my first 10k race. Only 9 days till the Tufts 10k!

      So my goals for October are simple:

      • Keep building the mileage.
      • Baby my tweeky knee — lots of ice!
      • Enjoy my race experience! Trust that I can do the distance, run my own race and take in the moment! If I can do that, it will be a great race (whatever the clock says will be secondary)!

      So what are you planning for October?

      Have a Great Weekend Everyone!
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      Filed Under: goals, Tufts 10k