Oh my word, have I been MIA lately!!
Work has been really busy, which is a good thing, but leaves little time for blogging.
The other thing that has been taking a lot of my time is Youth Cross Country!! My husband and I launched a program for our community this fall. It's just the two of us, practicing with the kids three nights a week, designing team shirts, organizing a meet......very time consuming. I have to say it is all very rewarding though, we have some very motivated and dedicated kids! When parents tell me what a great experience it is for their child, how much they love it, thanking us for what we are doing......it's so worth it.
Last Friday I took a group of three boys, including my son, on a 4 mile run - we detoured off the bike path into the woods, on trails I had never run before. I loved running the trails through the woods, and am getting pumped about the Sycamore 8 race that's coming up in December.
Sunday we went and ran the course where we are hosting our meet this upcoming Friday. They get to decide how far they run for the most part - we have kids at various ability levels and we don't want to push them too hard at this age and turn them off. The stronger runners tend to push and compete against each other, it all works out. My son ended up running 5 miles! All were under 9 min mile pace.
Did I mention he just turned 8? He amazes me.
Training and race goals:
We last spoke with my Madrid 15 miler race recap. Since then I have been continuing to follow my Runners World Smart Coach training plan for the Des Moines Half Marathon in October. I had a GREAT 12 mile training run the weekend before last where my average pace was 8:50!!
However....my goal pace is 7:52. That seems like a stretch right now. Since I have been seeing that pace on this training plan for so long, I'm going to be kind of bummed if I can't run it at sub-8 pace. And I just don't think I am going to be ready to do that.
I'm trying to decide whether to bail on the DM Half. I haven't registered yet. I am for sure running Sycamore 8 on Dec 1, as I love running through the woods.
I want to get my base mileage up to 40 miles per week - last week I ran 36 miles! I felt great too, legs are doing awesome.
I want to lose 5 more pounds. I have lost a couple pounds in the last 6 weeks or so.....but I definitely still have more to go.
I want to get back to the gym and cross training so that I don't injure myself with increasing my mileage. I have been neglecting the gym and yesterday's Body Pump class about killed me!
I want keep progressing towards a vegan diet. Not as a rule. I love me some pizza from time to time. But I do think I feel better and look better when I eliminate dairy.
I want to throw away my training plan. I was looking back through my Daily Mile history, and I think that when I run on how I feel - I do so much better. I am competitive by nature. I will push myself to get faster. I need to stick with what works for me. Goals of 40/week mileage and running a sub 8 min paced marathon will naturally lend itself to speedwork and weekend long runs (plus I am loving the two hours of "me time" on the weekends).
I think that's my answer. I am scrapping the half marathon.
What are your short term / long terms fitness and health goals?
Ever bailed on a plan when you realize it's not really what you want? Or do you force yourself to stick to it and follow through?
1 comment:
I always seem to bail due to changing priorities (or injuries or pregnancy!). I am a good starter! I, too, have been thinking more vegan, but since I do not cook, it looks more like a nut and berry diet with some shredded cheese sprinkled in! Progress...
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