From Veterans to Newbies: A Gazelle Girl Half Marathon Recap

Even two weeks later, my memories from my seventh half marathon flood me with emotions.  The 2015 Gazelle Girl Half Marathon & 5K was the best one yet...and largely due to a few amazing women.

Liz, Donna, Amanda, & myself. (Photo courtesy Becki Mueller)

After one of our group runs, my sole sisters Liz, Donna, and Amanda all decided to begin training for Gazelle Girl.  For Amanda and Donna, this was a giant step in their journey as runners:  a commitment to train for their first half marathon.  For Liz, it was a chance to push herself in her training and guide other runners to a new distance.  I happily chimed in, saying that I would rally troops and have a cheering section for them along the course.  The Gazelle Girl Half Marathon is a perfect first because of the spirit of the event:  to empower women.  I loved that they chose this race, also my first half marathon three years ago and Liz’s first half marathon last year, as their first.  

At first, I was dismissive about running the Gazelle Girl Half Marathon again.  I had yet to run the same event more than twice and I was hesitant to load up my spring race calendar with a half marathon only a few weeks before my second attempt at a 25K.  (Remember how I promised myself to fix my racing problem? Heh...well...I tried.)  But as the chilly winter weeks wore on, and I was asked about training advice and my experiences, I began to ask myself, “Why not run this one? Why not keep the Gazelle Girl streak going?”  So I plunked down another spring race fee and joined in the fun, witnessing their journey together with a sense of joy and honor.

Training through another harsh Michigan winter, Liz, Donna, Amanda, and I cemented our friendships as only running hundreds of miles, through thick and thin can do.  

Here is a recap of their training and their 2015 Gazelle Girl Half Marathon experience:

Why did you run the 2015 Gazelle Girl Half Marathon?  What were your motivators?

Amanda:  II remember the moment when I said that I would run the race. I fully expected that I would back out, because I had no faith that I could actually do it. But through slow and steady training runs, I began to see that it was possible. I was motivated by pride first of all. I didn’t want to be the only one in our little group to not do it.  The more time I spent running and thinking, I realized I was doing it for my fitness, for the friendships I’ve made through running, and for my spirit.

Donna:  I ran it to push myself farther than I've ever done before. I wanted to prove to myself that I am a strong woman.  Once I set a goal, I seek to achieve that goal. I was motivated by my friends, and by myself, to complete my first marathon surrounded by women of all ages, fitness levels & abilities.

Amanda, Donna, & Liz at the Gazelle Girl 2015 Expo.

Liz: Gazelle Girl 2014 was my first half marathon.  It was such an exciting, positive event and a life moment that I knew I had to do again.  There is nothing like joining 3000 like-minded women to achieve goals that at times feel insurmountable, on the journey to the finish line. I also ran this for myself- my health, my sanity, my life.  For this race I was motivated by besting my half marathon time from the fall, the sense of pride of being a “half marathoner”, my girls/training partners, and my boys in my life.

Tell me about your training process.  You did both group and individual runs...how did those help you?

Amanda:  I wanted to follow the Gazelle Girl half marathon training program but found that I couldn’t do it with my schedule. For about half of the winter I did speed work on my treadmill once a week, the Wednesday group run, and the weekend long run. But I found that my Monday speedwork ended up getting pushed to the wayside more often than not. The long runs with the group were highly motivating. I did a few solo long runs and they seemed so much harder.

Donna:  For the most part, I followed the Gazelle Girl half marathon training program.  However, I usually only ran about 2-3 days a week on average.

Liz:  I feel like I have been perpetually training--always running and ready for any race opportunity.  But with each long distance event, I usually restart my training from the beginning of the training plan and adjust it to best fit my life’s schedule.  I followed the Gazelle Girl Low Mileage plan- completing a day of speed work (usually on the treadmill the majority of the winter), a group run on most Wednesday nights, and a long run on the weekend.  Some weeks I was able to run more than others.  Group runs are hard at times being a slower runner and a walk/run method runner.  Sometimes those runs are the ones that create the most self-doubt in my running experience, but on the flip side can also motivate me and push me to run faster and harder/farther than I would have solo.  I loved my long runs with my training partners.  After training last year solo on the long runs- due to I was the only runner at that pace training for Gazelle- it was so nice to have someone with me to share those hours/miles while working on achieving 13.1.

Liz, Donna, & Amanda on a winter training run.

What was the best piece of advice you were given for your training?

Amanda:  There were so many! I think the equipment that helped me the most was the foam roller. But advice about the metronome, timing Gu fueling, handheld water bottles, etc. all helped immensely. The run/walk method wasn’t really “advice” but it kept me running the long distances. I try to tell myself that I can do anything for a set amount of time.

Donna : I believe the best advice I received was to be introduced to metronome running. It help improve my form, which in turn decreased aches & pains.

Liz: The one thing that I did change from my previous training was the use of a metronome.  I have found that to be really helpful with my running form and cadence.  Listen to your body and know your limits.  Don’t let pride create injuries--know when to stop and recover.  Compare yourself only to yourself as a runner.  All miles are better than no miles, the hardest part is getting out there.    

Race Prep:  What did you do?  What did you wear and eat?

Amanda:  I tried to eat healthier the week leading up to the race and drank tons of water. The morning of the race I had a couple of cups of coffee, an English muffin with peanut butter, and lots more water. I wore capri tights, a loose fitting tank top, and arm sleeves. I made sure that I didn’t wear anything that I hadn’t run in before.

Donna:  I tried to get more rest the 2 days prior to the race. On race day, I only ate a piece of toast with peanut butter. I wore a loose tank top & capris, with a pair of arm sleeves.

Liz:  I hydrated more than usual for the entire week prior and more each day closer to the race.  I tried to rest as much as I could during the week.  I ran some easy miles throughout the week to keep my legs fresh for the race.  I made sure the night before to have all of my gear out, bag packed so I was ready for the morning.  I wore a tank, capris, and sleeves for the race.  I ate an English muffin, lots of water with Nuun, and had half a can of diet Mt. Dew morning of the race.  

What were you thinking and feeling in the moments leading up to the race?

Pre-race prep in the VIP tent.

Amanda:  I couldn’t believe the fact that I wasn’t nervous. I was just excited. I had trained hard and well, and I felt complete confidence that I could do this. I’ve never had that feeling before a race before.  I usually have terrible race anxiety. The atmosphere of the event helped, as did being with my “training group.”  I keep going back to the fact that I was just so excited to be a part of this event.

Donna:  In the week leading up to the race, I felt prepared and ready to achieve my goal of completing my first half marathon. This was the first race I have not been nervous about. The day of the race, I remember being at the start line and feeling happy to embark on a new journey.

Liz:  I remember being excited to be here at the moment that we had trained all winter for together.  I was calm and not too worried about time or pace for this race as I had completed a half before and my end goal for this year was my next race (Fifth Third River Bank Run 25K).  I wanted to enjoy this experience and take it in creating memories.  And truthfully I was hoping that I wouldn’t finish too far behind everyone else.  

How did you feel during the race?  What was the most memorable moment for you?  What was the most difficult thing you had to overcome?

Amanda:  I felt great for the first 10 miles or so. I was enjoying looking around at the scenery, looking at the other runners, and being cheered on by spectators. The last three were difficult for me, mentally. I felt so close to the finish line, yet so far away. I had a few moments of self doubt, not that I couldn’t finish the race, but that I wasn’t going to meet my goals and was going to be disappointed in myself. I dedicated every mile to someone in my life that helped me get to where I was and I really just tried to think about that person and honor them to get me through the tough times. The most memorable moment for me was at mile 11. A woman running just in front of me passed the mile marker, turned around with her arms in the air, and yelled “I’ve never gone past 11 miles before!” All of the racers were exhausted, but we all cheered and clapped for her and it buoyed our spirits for a few minutes. It was a total “we are all in this together” moment. I felt honored to be part of her moment.

Donna:  I felt good the entire race. I did not have any moments of self-doubt, and each mile I ran was dedicated to someone special in my life. The most memorable moment was probably when I was running my last mile; the mile I dedicated to myself, and realizing that I had done it. I was actually running my fastest mile of the race, and I felt emotional, excited, and truly like I was flying. The most difficult thing I overcame was the guilt I felt when I kept on running & my friends were behind me. I was torn as to waiting for them, or running my own race.

Liz:  I felt pretty good during the race.  I put my faith in my training.  The first eight miles or so, my gals and I were running pretty close together.  It was nice to be doing this with them.  At a water station, I needed to fill my water bottle and they continued to run.  Once my bottle was filled I continued running.  I was behind.  That was difficult at first; only because I felt disappointed in myself for not keeping up with them. Shaking it off,  I knew that I was going to have to rely on my solo training from the prior year to finish strong.  I felt good and was running strong.  It was time for me to run my own race.  Every once and a while I would get a glimpse of one of my training partners and that would be motivating, because I wasn’t as far behind as I thought.  Just after mile 11, I saw one of them and I thought I could catch up to her if I pushed it.  When I finally caught up, I felt relief and excitement knowing we could finish together.   Turning into finishers alley, with all of the crowd cheering, is such a motivating and blissful way to finish.  It also helps when you see the finish clock and know that you are smashing your time from the year before and are going PR.  That was an awesome moment!  Another fantastic moment on the race course was when I was able to see a dear, dear friend who lives out of state cheering me on- her hug and cheers were priceless in helping me strive to keep pushing!

Rocking it at Mile 4! (Photo courtesy of Tracy Dorton)

How does it feel to now be a half marathoner?

Amanda:  Amazing. I never knew that I could accomplish something this big and this physical. I’ve never been an athlete and NEVER been any sort of runner. To be able to say I completed a half marathon, with the desire to continue doing them, is a huge badge of honor for me.

Donna:  It feels amazing!  I have been on cloud nine since, and it has given me an even bigger urge to push myself to do a marathon before the year is over.

Liz:  I am still amazed to think that I am a half marathoner x4.  I never in my wildest dreams ever imagined that this is something I would do and now it is something that I can’t imagine not doing.  I love it!  I am a distance runner.  

What is the next step for you on your journey as a runner?

Amanda:  The Fifth Third River Bank 25K will be another first for me in few weeks. I’m looking forward to crossing that off my bucket list, then see where running takes me. I am definitely planning to keep running and am excited to do more half marathons. After the River Bank, I plan to work on speedwork and endurance.

Donna:  I will be running the Fifth Third River Bank 25K in a few more weeks. I am looking forward to a new race, and a new distance.

Liz:  In a few weeks I will be running my second 25K.  I am excited to be participating in this race again this year.  I am excited to run this year because I am feeling stronger and healthier as a runner for this race.  This distance and race has my personal goal for this race season..  After that, I intend to bring my training back a bit and work on speed with no major races planned for summer.  I am planning on running another half in the fall.  

Donna finishing strong the final mile. (Photo courtesy of Carlo Pozzobon)

Amanda & Liz crossing the Gilette Bridge. (Photo courtesy of Carlo Pozzobon)

What did you walk away from that race with?

Amanda:  Pride. The knowledge that I can really do something of that magnitude. Gratitude that my body allowed me to do it. Gratitude for the people in my life that helped me make it possible.

Donna:  Pride. Inner strength. A desire to never give up on myself. 

Liz:  Joy.  Pride.  A PR!  Wonderful memories.  Satisfaction of a job well done; knowing that all the hard work training through the winter months had paid off on race day.  A hopeful feeling that I will be able to achieve my goal at River Bank….  Some amazing friendships that have been developed over the many miles we have traveled on this journey together.  

Their words...their journey...sums of the spirit of the Gazelle Girl Half Marathon and 5K so perfectly. Separately and together, each woman overcame challenges and went on to improve their wellness, strengthen each other, and had fun doing it.  The four of us have our sights locked on to new goals and another race:  The Fifth Third River Bank Run 25K.  

Post-race with these amazing ladies!  Off to celebrate.

More race pictures of these amazing ladies.  (Stellafly did an amazing job of covering both races and posting free images.)   

Donna running strong around mile 11.  (Photo courtesy RAE Anglen for Stellafly)

Amanda pushing herself on the Gazelle Girl course.  (Photo courtesy Rudy Malmquist for Stellafly)

  

Liz crossing the finish to set new PRs.  (Photo courtesy Bryan Esler for Stellafly)

Running...Running My Life

Life has a funny way of getting in the way...of running.  Sick kid, graduate work, parent-teacher conferences, out of town travel…’rolling with it’ was the only way to maintain my sanity over the last few weeks.  At first, it seemed like a burdensome task...rolling with it.  I didn’t want to roll with anything...I wanted to run!

My mileage peaked at an all time high of 42 miles three weeks ago, accompanied by an achy left knee and twinges in my right shin.  I intentionally eased up on my mileage the following week to a much more manageable 28 miles, rationalizing that there was no reason to be logging marathon mileage before I even begin training for that milestone.  After a brief recovery week, my plan was to keep weekly mileage between 30 and 36 miles a week, except for the week I taper for the Fifth Third River Bank Run 25K.  

While away on a work conference, I reconnected with a colleague from my middle school teaching days.  She is one of the track coaches in my district and I was offering to run with the distance group a few times, maybe evening doing some speed drills.  “I don’t know how you do it.  How do you run, juggle work and family and graduate classes?  Where do you find the time?” she asked, shaking her head.  I began to think perhaps life wasn't getting in the way of my running.  Perhaps I was getting my own way...of my crazy, hectic life. I took this as one of many recent signs to slow down and reevaluate.  

In that crazy, hectic life, I am faced with the daunting task of finding time for all my runs.  During this weekly Sunday night ritual, I am analyzing my training plan, our family calendar, and my lesson planner and writing it down in my training journal.  While this is not a exactly stressful, being the Type A personality I am, feel obligated to complete each and every workout.  Missing a run make me feel like a slacker...even if it was for a highly legitimate reason such as work obligations or a sick child. Inevitably, I consult all of my planning tools, searching for a time to ‘make up’ that run.  

A peek at my Believe training journal

What I should have been doing was cutting myself (and my training) some much needed slack. Why was I so worried about making up a run?  Missing a workout or even two at this point in my training is not a dealbreaker for reaching my goals.  If anything, I am dancing along the delicate line of overtraining...something that I sincerely want to avoid again.  I am not going to lose any of my fitness by missing a run.  As long as I adjust my training to focus on the quality of my key workouts, the overall quantity of mileage doesn’t need to be a stressor at this point.  (“Stop being such a worrier, Courtney!”) I am more than trained for my first big races this spring.  If anything, I need to focus on staying healthy and not training harder.  

What did I do to celebrate this little epiphany?  I went for a run...a fun, slow shakeout run where I allowed myself to enjoy the sunshine, melting snow, and time to have fun at the beach...in March!  I even spent time taking some running selfies on the remaining ice along Lake Michigan.  

After that run I am resolving to become less of a worrier about my training...and more of a warrior. After all, there is a lot of life to live.

A Runner’s Top Ten Signs It’s Spring

Two weeks ago, I was on a long run and observed some very faint glimmers of spring here in West Michigan. I was almost certain it was all going to go back to being a frozen wasteland again, until I ran this past Sunday and last night. Now I'm 100% positive spring is on it's way...and here's why:

10. Easiest 5 lb weight loss ever...no more bundling up for sub zero temps!

9. Winter running tights begin to show their wear & tear...potentially popping seams on the next long run.

8.  Shorts & capris become legitimate outdoor apparel options again.

7.  Headlamps are no longer needed for late afternoon runs! (Thank you DST.)

6.  Hurdling and dodging snowdrifts turns into hurdling and dodging gigantic puddles.

5.  Howling winter winds yield to the melodious chatter of birds returning.

4.  Wondering if that is a patch of black ice or just wet pavement.

3.  Boston...every runner begins talking about the Boston Marathon.

2.  Gels and water bottles are no longer a frostbite hazard on long runs.

1.  Seeing bare pavement elicits whoops of glee and miles of smiles.

My #TeamChemistry

This week, Oiselle posted a #TeamChemistry Instagram challenge.  I have participated by posting #TeamChemistry pictures of both of my running groups (Run Muskegon and the Grand Haven Running Club) as well as two of my dear running friends, Liz and Donna.  

Without these people in my life, I would not have been able to keep up my running and focus on my original #TeamChemistry teammate: my son Cole.

If you were a fly on the wall in our house, you’d hear:

“Mommy, we are a great team.”  

“Cole, we are going to do (insert activity) because we are a team.  This is how we work together.”  

“That was some great teamwork!”

“Mom, we are the bestest team ever!”  Yup...we are.

Since we lost Collin, my late husband and Cole’s father, to cancer almost three years ago, Cole and I approach life as a team.  We on this crazy road together, through thick and thin.  Honestly, I don’t know how I would have made it this far without Cole.  My little blessing tolerates my need to run and the time it takes me away from him.  Offers to ride his bicycle along side me (we will be working on his endurance over the next few years), bring tears of pride and joy.  Cole has even caught my running bug having completed his first 5K at age 5 and running in the Color Run, Milan’s Miracle 1K, and the Ugly Sweater Run.  I, in turn, spend hours building Lego sets, becoming a pseudo Star Wars expert, and learning to play Minecraft.  

He is my reason for running, for pushing myself.  I know my son is watching, and I, as his only parent, am his leading role model.  I want him to know what the journey of pursuing a dream, a passion, looks like...and not just the end with all the achievement and celebrating.  But the deep, gritty, and raw moments that are inevitable.  I want him to see this so that when it is his turn to chase a dream, Cole knows I will be right there with him, supporting him unconditionally.

So...to my little heart...Happy Valentine’s Day!  Thank you for being my wee wing...my teammate.

Cross Training Chronicles: A Skate Skiing Adventure

Cross training is one of my focus goals for 2015, but I am not ready to throw in the towel and become a gym rat just yet...or perhaps ever.  So when my Italian friends, Carlo and Sofia, offered to give me lessons in skate skiing a few weeks ago, I couldn’t turn them down.  (Really... I couldn’t.  They were on my doorstep, ready to go!)

So on a bright, sunny Sunday afternoon, we drove to the Muskegon Winter Sports Complex, just a short drive north and nestled in the backwood dunes next to Lake Michigan..  The Winter Sport Complex, part of Muskegon State Park in North Muskegon, boasts some of the best cross country ski trails and snowshoe trails in the area, as well as acres of ice rinks and a quarter mile ice skating trail through the woods.  The groomed and lighted trails of the MWSC are meticulously maintained when the snow conditions allow.  Skiers of all levels can enjoy the well-marked ski trails, ranging from a fairly flat 2.5K loop to the more advanced Lost Lake 5K loop.  

Gearing up behind the Lodge.

Now, I have been a Nordic (or classic) style skier most of my adult life.  I still have the pair of skis my parents gave me when I was in high school.  Skate skiing is a different beast altogether.  The skis are longer and much more narrow, the poles are taller too.  Since my equipment was not right for skate skiing, I rented the proper skis and pole from the lodge for $20.00 on top of the $7.00 fee for the trail pass.  Then my lessons began....

I struggled at first...I was clumsy and awkward; much like a duck on skis.  Carlo and Sofia were terribly patient with me, talking me through the technique, one step at a time.  First I learned how to move forward, making skating movements with my feet, without the use of my poles.  Trying to reverse the muscle memories my body draws from after many years of Nordic skiing was no easy task.  The runner in me struggled with being slow and graceless, falling up hills and down flat trails.  Once my instructors felt I had minimal mastery of one aspect of skate skiing, another element was thrown in: poles; pole placement; body movement; rhythm.  After about an hour, Carlo, Sofia, and I made our way back to the lodge and I was feeling slightly more confident in my skate skiing ability…I hadn’t fallen down in the last 15 minutes.  

After a brief reprieve, my trio headed out again, lapping around the 2.5K loop twice.  Starting back up was difficult, having lost my concentration on my form and technique.  I found my rhythm again, reminding myself to slow down...this wasn’t a race or about hitting my weekly mileage.  This experience was about learning something new and enjoying time with my friends...about giving my body a break from my runner’s mindset.  Once I realized that I just needed to relax, skate skiing suddenly became MUCH easier and more natural.  

By the end of 10Ks of sunny trails, I was tired, sore, and incredibly happy.  While I search for some used skate skiing equipment of my own, I will still have to fall back on my Nordic skis.  But, I can’t wait to go back out and continue to embrace the Michigan winter and a new way to cross train.

Carlo, being an avid photographer, captured my trials, errors, stumbles, and falls with his camera.  Here is a brief compilation of my progression from complete novice to basic:

 What else have I been up to these past few weeks?  Guest blogging for Michigan Runner Girl about Run Muskegon's upcoming inaugural Shamrock Shuffle 5K!  Check it out here! 

Carlo, me, and Sofia on the trails.

My Oiselle Katron Vest & Go Joggings tights were perfect for skiing!

Dreading the Dreadmill

Good old man winter has put a damper on outdoor running this last week.  I haven’t been able to safely run solo outside since last weekend and the only way I can keep up on my mileage while training for the Fifth Third River Bank Run 25K is to hop on the DREADMILL.  With three dreadmill workouts under my belt for the week, I am NOT looking forward to a fourth anytime soon.  

What exactly is this ‘dreadmill’ I speak of?

DREADMILL (/dred/ /mil/) noun:  a modern torture device designed to move runners nowhere as fast (or slow) as they please.

I approach the dreadmill as matter-of-fact as I can.  “Just do it.”  With my workout or speed drills mapped out, I stuff a towel into one cup holder and my water bottle full of Cherry Lime Energy NUUN into the other.  Setting my phone to one of my playlists, I dial in my warm up pace and say a little prayer that the other dreadmills don’t fill up and I have to cut my workout short.  (Like most fitness facilities, the YMCA has a limit on treadmill time if they are all in use...a mere 20 minutes.)  

Granted, my winter training plan does include two treadmill runs a week, averaging between three and six miles.  My intention was to do mostly speed work during my treadmill runs and as a warm up for my PIlates classes.  I have found these distances to be tolerable when the televisions at my YMCA are locked on ESPN Sport Center or CNN and with only subtitles available.  Ugh.  There has been no better excuse to crank up my music on my iPhone and jam in my earbuds (I stopped road running with music this summer to improve my cadence.)  Having recently discovered a few pod casts has help tremendously...even though my fellow treadmillers are rather startled when I bust out laughing.  Who on earth laughs while on a treadmill in the middle of an 800m?   Oh wait...me.  

To be fair, there are some things I enjoy about my indoor running routines.  It allows me to concentrate on my running form and posture.  Speed and incline are under my complete control.  I don’t have to check current wind chill and radar conditions to determine just how many layers to wear.  And, perhaps most importantly, it allows me to still run.

Normally, I wouldn’t let freezing temperatures and some snow keep me from pounding the pavement.  This is my third Michigan winter I’ve run outside and I have never felt more prepared to meet the challenges I will face.  Unfortunately, the wind chills, whiteout conditions and lake effect snow have made running outside perilous to even a seasoned runner.  The lack of visibility combined with my experience of near-misses while running on the streets of my town have taught me to err on the side of caution.  (ex:  I was almost hit by a truck at dusk while wear a blindingly bright pink reflective jacket and being light up like a Christmas tree.)  

So, tomorrow, I will trudge up to my ‘favorite’ dreadmill, step up, and just get it done.  And then back to the great outdoors!

Tick Tock Tick: Time to Get to Fixing

Time...a measure of duration and intervals...an ordering of events, past, present, and future…  As a runner, the value of this abstract measure is priceless.  Speedwork, training, tempos, personal records, pace, time goals, finding the space in my hectic life to dedicate to a long or short run...the list goes on and on.  But ‘time’ by itself is only the measure I allow it to be and I’ve been letting it get away from me.

As Lauren Fleshman said, “Time fixes nothing. Time is a facilitator but you still have to do the fixing; Dig into the difficult conversations; Look hard at yourself in the mirror and ask if you’re doing everything you can do to get healthy. If you aren’t currently living the life you want, there is no other way to get there. Time won’t make it happen. So you can either adjust the goal, or give yourself a swift kick in the ass. Those are your only two options unless you enjoy the feeling of eternal tug of war.” (see more on her latest blog post here.)  

It seemed as if Lauren Fleshman had been hanging out in my brain these last few weeks...because this was basically what I have been telling myself!  

2014 was a year of many ups and downs, as well as a heck of a lot of growth.  The weeks following Christmas and New Years are typically times of reflection and contemplation.  I don’t make resolutions...that just doesn’t work for me.  I prefer to look back at my actions and reactions, seeing what worked and what didn’t, then readjust for the future.  (Ironically, most of my reflections occur while I’m running.)

In 2014, I had set two major goals for myself: 1) run four half marathons and 2) run 1000 miles.  And I did both.  I trained hard and raced even harder, sometimes pushing too hard and ending up with mild injuries.  Overall, my training worked for me: running three to four times a week with a mix of long runs, tempo runs, and speed work.  My speed, pace, and running form improved from the beginning of the year, and I set new personal records for my 5K, 10K, and half marathon times.   

My race schedule...not so much.  Three half marathons and a 25K in eleven weeks left me ready for a break from long distances.  Add in a hefty handful of 5Ks and a few 10Ks, and my weekends were consumed with running all summer long.  Autumn came out of nowhere, leading me back to my classroom with no sign of my racing or hectic schedule letting up (and squeezing in one more half marathon the weekend of my brother’s wedding).  Stresses and pressures accumulated and weighed me down, pushing me off balance.  I reacted by pushing back...and pushing myself even harder.  So I have ended 2014 with a nasty case of shin splints and the realization that I need to get down to ‘fixing.’

 

Fixing My Race Schedule:

Celebrating all 1000 miles of 2014

I am promising myself to limit the number of ‘big races’ I do this year.  I have my sights set on two races: the Fifth Third River Bank Run 25K and my first marathon.  There are time goals I have in mind for both of these races...realistic but lofty.  I am still going to race local 5Ks and 10Ks, only being more selective about them.  If I’m feeling good, perhaps I will snag a last minute bib in a few half marathons as training runs.  As much as I love racing, I don’t want to overload my weekends with races like I did last year...it wasn’t fair for me to monopolize so much of the summer weekends with races.

Training Smarter, Not Harder:

Cross training is a weak point in my training.  Until recently, Pilates had been my only form of cross training (other than shoveling all last winter!).  My mission is to incorporate more stretching, strength training, and cycling into my training along with my Pilates.  A lovely fellow Oiselle runner gave me a Believe training journal and a pair of wings.  What I love the most about my training journal is that it has reflection and accountability built into it.  

As far as running, I am incredibly fortunate several veteran runners are helping me with my training schedule for my marathon.  I also have found a few running partners whose pace and running philosophy match mine.  My support system, the web of my running family, is extending, reweaving, and coming back stronger than ever.  

Time to Get to Fixing!

Now...time is needed.  Not to sit and wait.  Not to allow others to do the work for me.  Not simply wish my dreams and goals come true.  Now is the time for action.  Time for ME to get to ‘fixing’ and make this happen for me.  

And I can’t wait to get started...