Running Decisions

Yesterday, in the midst of an 8k run, I made the decision not to run the Disney Half Marathon in January. I've trying so very hard to make it happen, but after months of training I am just not there. I had a baby in July, started running seriously again in October, and just can't squeeze out the mileage necessary to have a successful half marathon. I'm just not there. This isn't a pity party-I am totally at peace with the decision. My motivation for signing up was to have a goal to help me get the baby (ies) weight off, get running again, and help me structure my never-ending (it seemed at the time) maternity leave days. Mission accomplished. I am still working on the weight thing, but the half marathon goal helped me achieve the other two goals. I am starting to see real progress on my running, but I need more time to build a base of miles and really fall in love with running. That's where 2011 comes in...

My running goals for 2011 are to build a strong foundation of training miles and to fall in love with running. I think by sticking to (and I really mean this) only 5-10 kilometer races for the entire year I can do it. That means training plans that are consistent, but not never ending. It means running adds to my family time, and doesn't take away from it. It means I can focus on speed more than distance. It means lots and lots of very good things, I hope! I hope working on developing my 2011 race calendar, but as of now I already have a 5k planned for New Years Day (my birthday!) in Round Rock and a 10k on January 25th in Sao Paulo!

Race Pic

Here's an official Race Picture from the Samsung 10k a few weeks ago. I HATE race photos, but this one isn't terrible. Maybe it was kilometer 2!

Training for the Week and an Update

So, last week was a mess. Paul and I had interview scheduled every morning at 8 am or so making it really difficult to squeeze in a run. It is summer here in the Southern Hemisphere so if I don't squeeze in a run early, forget about it. Plus, we went to the beach last Friday throwing my long run off. Anyway, I was able to catch up today. On Wednesday I ran 3.5 miles and today 7 miles. Slowly, I am catching back up. On the schedule this week:

Monday: 3.5 miles
Tuesday: Cross Train Boot Camp & Yoga
Wednesday:4 miles
Thursday: 5 miles & Yoga
Friday:Elliptical Cross Train
Saturday: Rest
Sunday: 9.3 miles (15k Prova Pedestre Sargento Gonzaguinha Race)

I am going to do the Walt Disney World Half Marathon. I have to. I've worked too hard to get here otherwise!

Race Pics

Here are a few pre-race pics from the last two races I've done...

Go Mommy Go! Don't Stop Running!

Go! Go! Go!

Number One Fan!

Early Morning Shot before Samsung 10k

I think I am done racing for this year, although there is still one last undecided race. There is a 15k (9 miles) that would fit perfectly into my half marathon training. Right now I am having trouble committing to either!

At A Crossroads

I am definitely at a crossroads in my training. Over the last month I've done a fair job at sticking to my training schedule, fitting in longer runs, and just building a base. However, I'm at the point that if I am seriously going to run the Disney Half Marathon on January 8 I really, really need to make the commitment and not look back. I have 8 weeks until the race and just enough time to really make it happen. I'm really torn about it...on the one hand, I really want to achieve this goal. It is a goal I've flaked on many times before. On the other hand, trying to squeeze 2+ hour runs into my schedule is a challenge. Forget trying to schedule the baby's feedings and sleep schedule. It is a impossible. Yet, I think I can do it.

This week's training plan:
Monday: 40 minutes (3.5 miles) easy
Tuesday: XT boot camp and yoga
Wednesday: 40 minutes (3.5 miles) easy
Thursday: XT on elliptical and yoga
Friday: 30 minutes (2.5 miles)
Saturday: 7 miles
Sunday:Rest

Wish me luck!

This Week's Training Plan

Monday: 3 miles
Tuesday: Cross Train
Wednesday: 4 miles
Thursday: 3 miles
Friday: Cross Train
Saturday: Rest
Sunday: Samsung 10k

I also really want to work on my mental training. I've downloaded this book to help! Self defeating dialogues aren't so helpful, you know? Nutrition as well...more protein, less white carbs. Oh, and sleep. Glorious, sleep.

Race Report

I'll have to add the pics later...but here is my quick version of a race report on the Fila Night Run 5k.

Despite the fact that it is almost summer here in good ole South America, yesterday's weather was dreary, gray, cool, and from time to time, wet. Not ideal race conditions but I'd prefer that type of weather to heat and sun beating down on me. It was sprinkling when we left for the race around 6 pm, but stopped by 6:45 when we arrived at the course. We picked up the chip for our shoe and huddled around trying to keep warm. There was some pre-race entertainment-a band, samba dancers, and a group warm up that was reminiscent of the Black Eyed Peas and Oprah flash mob dance. I was totally calm, mostly because I have zero expectations for myself other than FINISH! Probably not the best race strategy...must work on that.

Anyway I decided to start in the green corral with a goal of running the entire way and beating my 5k run from last weekend at 39:05. There was a pace group in front of me, but I lost them as people filed into the corrals at the last minute, so I was on my own. I plugged in my ipod and was off.

It was pretty dark, but I settled into a comfortable rhythm quickly. My biggest hurdle is the mental dialogue I have at the beginning of my runs. It sounds something like this:
Why am I doing this?
Such a bad idea.
I am so slow.
My legs hurt.
I am too sleep deprived to be doing this.
Why? Why? Why?

However, after about the third kilometer I settled down and was feeling pretty good. I saw the fourth kilometer marker up ahead and knew I could go a little faster. Once I got going the "runner's high" kicked in and I flew through the last 500 meters. My final time was 32:05 (a 10:20 mile) and by far my best time in a long, long time. I felt amazing!

Onto next week's 10k!

I'll add the pics tomorrow...Paul has our photo computer right now!