A race in review...a bit late

I had a goal of getting at least 15 miles in this week...a bit aggressive for me at this time of year, buuuut... I DID IT!  It has felt so good to really get back into the regularity of "training," especially when we finally have some color on our run!

I'm working this year, for the same reason as last year:  The Detroit Women's Half Marathon & 5K!  Apparently, I was on such a high last year after finishing, I never came back to tell anyone about it! LOL! I absolutely endorse, and will promote this race again, and here's just a few reasons why:

• Race organizers provided a seamless event; participants and supporters knew exactly where to go and when, minimizing confusion and race-day jitters
• Plenty of porta-johns!
• Friendly bag check
• Smiling volunteers at every turn and straight-a-way
• Undeniably beautiful course on Belle Isle...this year a Michigan State Park
• Water and Hammer Nutrition at every mile (I only trained with Hammer Nutrition gels and HEED sports drink because the race said that's what they would provide.  However, I was very pleasantly surprised to learn this product was way easier in my digestive tract than GU, and offered more sustained energy than Honey Stinger (even though I like them, too!).  It's become my go-to source for fuel and supplements!)
• The "Chocolate Mile" sponsored by Sanders Fine Chocolates...OMG.  Dark chocolate salted caramels right when you needed it...need I say more??

There were plenty of more goodies, which were totally awesome, including the expo on packet-pick-up day the day before.  I just can't say enough about the feeling of empowerment and "can-do" that Epic Races and Women Run the D portrayed that day.  I completed my very first Half Marathon that day, in large part, I believe, because of the support all along the course, and participants really felt cared for by the race presenters.

So far, I've recruited at least two more Half Marathoners, and am working on 5Kers.  If you're even considering this for one SECOND, sign up and do it.  You will not be disappointed!

"Don't call it a come back!"

A li'l LL Cool J to celebrate a two-day streak! :D

So last night I decided to get my "can't do it" attitude behind me and get out to do at least one lap around my sub (1.25 miles) to prove I was still in the game.  I did 3 miles instead!  Not fast at all, but I felt like I was pushing to get through it (11:52 average pace).  THEN I was still able to get myself to the gym at 5:30 this morning (a small miracle!) for cross-training!  I'm tired and appropriately sore today and am feeling motivated again to stay on track.

I've decided for the present time to follow the www.walkjogrun.com program for the 20-week beginner full marathon (I can barely type that without laughing out loud!).  It's a very slow progression in building mileage, and I just want to see how far I can get...for now.  Finally coming into warmer weather and spring, it's time I really commit to my goals this season!

Do you have any yet??  Do you just freestyle the whole season?

Brain = 1; Body = 0

I fell completely victim to over-thinking this weekend.  My plan was a 6-mile long run...something I had just completed last weekend, mind you.  That's it: 6 miles.  I had done it before.  I obsessed about my nutrition, enough protein, "carb loading," (again, just for 6 miles).   I was inside my head so much, I didn't get out...no run.  Period.  The disappointment in myself just festered and became more paralyzing for me.  I practically read 6 hours worth of running material!  I just couldn't do it...and if I'm honest; I still don't know why.  Nor have I gone on any kind of run yet!!  UGH!

This is where I wish I had a trainer.  What I realized is that my thinking/planning/training gets in the way of my actually doing anything.  I need a template: do this now, this tomorrow, etc...  Someone that I can trust to have my best interest considered and just tell me to get out there and do it.  Maybe it's simply the accountability thing, too?  I could waste 6 more hours trying to figure that out, too.

Bottom of the line: today is a beautiful day, low 70s, and I need to make it work today.  Whatever it is.  I've got to beat this mental game and retrain my brain to work for me, not against me!

Watching the Boston Marathon today completely inspired me, though.  AMAZING athletes representing the sport, the definition of commitment, and the result of mad training (see?! I would do better with a trainer! LOL!)!

What is it that elites and "real runners" have that powers them through this, or don't experience this at all?

Honeymoon Period

So, I felt darn near euphoric last weekend.  For the first time since last fall, I ran 6 miles (straight!) on Friday, then ran my first 5K of the season on Saturday.  Two days running in a row...YAAAAY! Sunday evening, the most vile form of stomach flu set in for about 4 days...GRRRRR...

This morning I attempted to get back into my (loosely established) routine and got back to the gym for a gentle reintroduction.  I did 20 mins on the 'mill at a 2.0 incline, then lifted weights.  I know, I know...seems kind of weak, but I had to start somewhere.  To be frank, I wasn't exactly confident everything was going to stay down and in yet! (ew)

I was excited to get back to it, though...so much so that I find myself in this honeymoon period flirting with this idea of wanting to really do more with my training/running.  Like...(dare I even say it??)...consider trying to plan...for a full marathon.  *GASP*  I mean, my running has sparked so much confidence in me these recent two years, yet simultaneously I feel such a lack of confidence.  I truly desire guidance that I can trust is going to lay the map out of me, and help me get through the training process...

Then, by the biggest coincidence ever, Dorothy Beal of Mile Posts posted this on her blog yesterday:  

26Strong: Searching For A Female Wannabe Marathoner!!! 

WHAAAAAT?!? Needless to say, I responded, and am hopeful and prematurely planning my and Dorothy's training together.  :P  Applicants find out Saturday.  It goes without saying the incredible opportunity this presents, on so many levels; safe training plan, support, confidence-builder! AND actually finish a full marathon!!

She also posted something today that was a great reminder that, despite any intervention, we all are capable of running a marathon...I don't have to be genetically predisposed with natural athletic ability.  If I put the effort in, the result will yield.   Hm.  This just adds to my ammunition to "flirt" with this idea...harmless flirting...

*GASP* ...7 months later??

Well, it seems the last month of training for my first Half Marathon must have gotten the best of me, hence my abrupt stopping in posting!  I can say, with utmost pride, I finished strong in 2:38!  My goal was under 2:45, so that was pretty exciting!

Since then...I totally fell off track.  With the severe cold and snow this winter, my outdoor running completely came to a stop, and my motivation quickly fell; sporadic trips to the gym at best.  I found myself too embarrassed to come back and check in, LOL!

But I'm back now...for accountability, my desire to be focused, and ...did I say accountability?!

I ran my first 5K of the season on April 12; the Tax Trot in Flushing, MI.  My time this year was 35:45... 58 whole seconds faster than last year's time! HA! It sort of makes me feel back at "Square One," and irritated with myself that I let all of my fitness gained, just go with the winter's cold...  I suppose that doesn't really matter at this point.  The over-used phrase, "It is what it is," totally applies here.  The important thing is that I am back at it, and have a renewed focus on my running goals again.

That said, so far I have only committed to running the Detroit Women's Half again September 21, 2014.  I would like to do the Run The Plank 5K in June, as this is the 3rd anniversary of my first race ever run.  It's fun to see if (how much?) I improve each year!  I'm looking to do a couple other races; perhaps another 1/2...secretly flirting with the idea of a full sometime in my life (ssshhh....).  I need some major confidence building and specific training...which, of course, I have been researching thoroughly all winter (in place of actually doing something :P).  I've also decided to clean up my act, and am slowly transitioning to a clean eating diet.  This was inspired by a coaching program I participated in with Meredith Vieceli...more on that awesome experience later.  I can offer quickly, it was well worth it and I encourage everyone to work with her at some point.

So these are some short-term goals, and some goals in their infancy.  I would like to formulate an actual plan to be working on, as that helps keep me on track (heehee...that never gets old) and I operate better within a framework.

Looking forward to our adventures together again this summer!