Running News

I got a call from Katie today, "You got a package. It looks like shoes." Yayyyyyy!! These were not Summer clearance gladiators or new Fall boots. Not slinky stilettos or cute ballet flats. No, no, these were even better than that...they were new running shoes!

I've been in desperate need of new running shoes, but haven't been able to find the time to go try out new ones. (My running store no longer carries the 'older' version.) Finally I just thought to look online and found the exact model I've been wearing. I knew they'd fit, they were on sale because they're an old model, I got free shipping, and they came right to my house - perfect!

It's kind of funny to see these bright white puppies lined up against my retired sneakers.

These guys don't know what they're in for!

Marathon Training

Well, since my trip to Chicago took over my last 8(!) posts, I haven't spent too much time reflecting on my runs. It kind of worked out because I was seriously swamped at work before my trip - logging 12 hour days - so I inadvertently took a little break from running.

After my exciting 20-miler 2 weeks ago, I didn't run for 5 straight days. I declared it 'Rest Week' on my training schedule because I knew work was going to leave me exhausted. I worry too much about when I'm going to get my runs in, so stating it up front (to myself) was a burden off of my shoulders.

While in Chicago, I did tons of walking, went to an intense Core Fusion yoga class, and ran a fun 10K. Since I've been home, I've had a great two weeks of challenging runs.

• Tuesday: super-hilly 8 miles at a 9:42 pace. Luckily(?) I live in a really hilly neighborhood, so it's easy to get in hill workouts. And it was in the 60's so I felt like I was bounding down the streets...I'm so excited for Fall running!
• Wednesday: quick 1.5 miles at an 8:40 pace. We met friends for dinner, so I had limited time after work. I really wanted to squeeze in a run, so I took off on a quick jaunt around the neighborhood.
• Friday: casual 5-miler at a 10:00 pace. I went to a nearby trail after work. It was nice to not worry about hills, speed, or intensity for this end-of-week run.
• Sunday: 20-mile group run at a 10:10 pace. This one was at a lake that consists of 2 loops - a 3 mile loop, and a 4 mile loop, which meant we were looping for a LONG time to get in those 20! I ran and chatted with 2 others for company, and we kept it at a comfortable pace.
• Tuesday: surprising 3.1 miles at an 8:11 pace! I went for a quick 3 mile run and ended up completing a 5K faster than my current PR! This made me very happy...especially since I'd just run 20 miles 2 days before.
• Wednesday: 8 mile group run at a 9:16 pace. There weren't many people at this week's Wednesday night run, so I got in some good 'me time' while running through the park. I'm happy that I don't have to rely on my ipod anymore. I carry it for emergency "I need a pick-me-up!" situations, but most of the time I enjoy running without the extra noise.

In other news, I finally registered for the Omaha Marathon!! I am admittedly a last-minute register-er. I'm always nervous that I'll get sick and have to back off my training or (knock of wood) get injured. After successfully completing 2 20-mile training runs, I decided it was time to fork over my $90 and make it official. A month and 2 days ahead of time is really early in my book! By the way, doesn't $90 sound expensive?!

Marathon Goals

So now that I'm good and registered, I suppose I should set some goals. Ok, I've known my goals for awhile now, I just haven't shared them with you yet. For some reason they feel awfully personal. I think it's because I've put so many hours, miles, and buckets of sweat into my training, that it's hard to let it all ride on race day. Putting a number out there sets a pass mark - you either succeed or fail, and the clock is your judge. The thought of logging 500 miles in training only to be marked with a 'fail' at the end is scary. I know that's not how it really works, but sometimes it feels that way. It's hard to quantify effort, effects of weather, and how you feel on that particular morning when there is a clock staring at you and saying, "I don't care if your toast is sitting funny in your stomach, your time is your time."

That being said, I think goals are good. They help sculpt your training, and they provide you with expectations, encouragement, and drive. I also believe it's ok to change your goals if need be. There is no reason to hang the unattainable over your head and feel like you'll never get there. And although I completely understand why people might want to keep their goals to themselves, I personally love hearing them. So I'd like to encourage the continued openness by sharing mine with you!

I am taking a 3 goal approach: a best case scenario, 2nd best, and 3rd. A lot can happen over 26.2 miles. You can set a challenging goal, but if you're having a bad day, you can know early on that you won't be able to make up enough of the lost time. That leaves a long way to run knowing you won't make your goal. I think a back-up (and a second back-up) are good ways to keep you motivated, no matter what happens on race day. Ok, here we go:

1. 4:20:00 - I originally began training for this marathon with 4:15 in mind. However, this summer has been very hot and my times just didn't get fast enough.  Also, I know this course is hilly - I've run on it several times! And although I appreciate changes in terrain to prevent boredom and help utilize different muscles, I know better than to think hills don't slow me down. 4:20 puts me at just under a 10:00 pace, so it is still quite ambitious for me.
2. 4:32:45 - This is 1 second faster than my 1st marathon time. A PR is a PR, and I'll take by 1 second if I have to!
3. Finish uninjured and with a smile on my face - Obviously I want to finish uninjured in any situation, but if I won't be able to set a personal record, I'd like the opportunity to run another marathon this Fall. Last year I had to take a break from running for several months after my marathon due to an IT band injury. That meant I was starting near scratch when I began training again. I'd much rather build off of this Summer's training! I figure after a couple week break, I'll have enough time to pick up my training for, say, a mid-November race near my brother's house.

Alright, there you have it! I hope you follow along as I complete my second marathon on September 26th. I'm getting a little nervous, but I'm actually quite excited!