I've been such a giant bum this past week because I've been trying to get better from whatever plauge-type cold I fell victim to after Richmond. Thankfully I was able to breathe enough to run 3 miles with the 8K group on Saturday in preparation for the Turkey Trot 8K on Thursday. I have mixed feelings about that race, but I'll get to that in a minute. Because she's a genius/goddess/amazing human being, Alyssa mentioned that she has a spreadsheet for all of her races, was gracious enough to send it to me, and it has never been so easy to plan 4 years in advance for races because everyone does that.
My 2016 tab is a little more detailed and full, but I love being able to track everything (insert awesome sense of accomplishment here). Here's what's coming up:
Turkey Trot 8K:
I ran this last year and it was my first 8K ever. I did respectably considering I had an asthma attack in the middle of the race (which finally made me go to the doctor and accept that my asthma was uncontrolled and I really needed to take care of it - blessing in disguise ?) and still managed to attain at 52:00:00 first 8K time. Definitely not going to beat that this year. I ran a 1:07:54 at the City of Oaks 10K this year, so logically, if I split the difference-ish, my goal is to finish around an hour. Last year, I ran with a friend turned co-worker and due to him being unable to NOT injure himself, we may be running the race together again.
The reason I have mixed feelings ? This will be the first race I've done both pre and post inhaler. I am genuinely thrilled with how my progress has been and can't wait to see all the people in my 8K group finish. But I would be lying if I didn't say I'm just plain down about the good 1:00-1:30/mi slower pace. Please, I understand it's not about pace, I understand I can't compare myself to anyone else or myself last year, yada yada yada...I know. But I'm still allowed to be sad about it and I'd rather be sad now than let it all catch up to me during the race. This will NOT keep me from running or trying or finishing. Plus, then I have an excuse to eat all the food. Bonus.
American Tobacco Trail Half Marathon:
Most of my running/training updates will be with this race in mind. I have 2 more paychecks and then it's sign up time for this baby ! Hopefully I can stop being lazy and log some serious miles this weekend since I have 4 days off (and I can kick it all off with the Turkey Trot !) and have that be my kick off for training for my spring half. It's ONLY 109 days away and I'm totally not counting. My goal with this half is to be consistent and undaunted by the 13.1 miles. I'm not looking for speed or anything, I just want to stay as consistent as I can with my pacing. It's very difficult to work towards things like speed or negative splits or even a PR if I don't have a baseline. I also want to make sure that I have enough gas left in the tank to make it the full distance without feeling like I'm done around mile 10. I also plan on adding strength training (do all the planks and squats !) and yoga into my plan. Yes, because I want to look good, but I know that having a stronger core and leg muscles will help with consistency and endurance. I just really hate lifting weights because I have zero upper body strength and don't like to lift heavy things.
More Races !
My 2016 tab is a little more detailed and full, but I love being able to track everything (insert awesome sense of accomplishment here). Here's what's coming up:
Turkey Trot 8K:
I ran this last year and it was my first 8K ever. I did respectably considering I had an asthma attack in the middle of the race (which finally made me go to the doctor and accept that my asthma was uncontrolled and I really needed to take care of it - blessing in disguise ?) and still managed to attain at 52:00:00 first 8K time. Definitely not going to beat that this year. I ran a 1:07:54 at the City of Oaks 10K this year, so logically, if I split the difference-ish, my goal is to finish around an hour. Last year, I ran with a friend turned co-worker and due to him being unable to NOT injure himself, we may be running the race together again.
The reason I have mixed feelings ? This will be the first race I've done both pre and post inhaler. I am genuinely thrilled with how my progress has been and can't wait to see all the people in my 8K group finish. But I would be lying if I didn't say I'm just plain down about the good 1:00-1:30/mi slower pace. Please, I understand it's not about pace, I understand I can't compare myself to anyone else or myself last year, yada yada yada...I know. But I'm still allowed to be sad about it and I'd rather be sad now than let it all catch up to me during the race. This will NOT keep me from running or trying or finishing. Plus, then I have an excuse to eat all the food. Bonus.
American Tobacco Trail Half Marathon:
Most of my running/training updates will be with this race in mind. I have 2 more paychecks and then it's sign up time for this baby ! Hopefully I can stop being lazy and log some serious miles this weekend since I have 4 days off (and I can kick it all off with the Turkey Trot !) and have that be my kick off for training for my spring half. It's ONLY 109 days away and I'm totally not counting. My goal with this half is to be consistent and undaunted by the 13.1 miles. I'm not looking for speed or anything, I just want to stay as consistent as I can with my pacing. It's very difficult to work towards things like speed or negative splits or even a PR if I don't have a baseline. I also want to make sure that I have enough gas left in the tank to make it the full distance without feeling like I'm done around mile 10. I also plan on adding strength training (do all the planks and squats !) and yoga into my plan. Yes, because I want to look good, but I know that having a stronger core and leg muscles will help with consistency and endurance. I just really hate lifting weights because I have zero upper body strength and don't like to lift heavy things.
More Races !
- St. Paddy's Day 8K
- Cherry Blossom 10 Miler - lottery
- Tar Heel 10 Miler
I have WAY more races for next year than that in mind, but these are the ones I know for sure I'll be signing up for in the next 2 months. I would like to race a distance of at least an 8K every month, but I only have March and April so far.
Race ideas are always welcome ! Is anyone else running a Turkey Trot this week ?
Linking up with my favorite ladies:
I'm not running a Turkey Trot, though I would love to before all the indulgence! I'm just going to go to an OrangeTheory class instead. Have fun at the race! I love how you keep track of your races. I should do that.
ReplyDeleteI know you're disappointed in your pace these days but the only reason you're slower is because you're spending 20% walking! Your actual running pace is legit so hopefully you can at least feel good about that. I get what you mean though, I've also been struggling to accept that the person running my 2015 races is not the same person who ran my 2014 races (for a variety of reasons). Just because the time clock looks different this year doesn't mean that you or I can't celebrate these races for what they are, which you already proved at Richmond.
ReplyDeleteI'm running a Turkey Trot on Thursday! Its only a 5k though. I should steal from you and Alyssa and start a spreadsheet for my races. Good luck on Thursday!
ReplyDeleteI think that's a FANTASTIC goal for Tobacco Trail. I would always rather be consistent in slower miles than have my pace vary WILDLY over the course of race. I know you can do this! Also, seconding what Tracy said. It's not a pass/fail, slow/fast thing. Your running speed is faster, YAY! Your overall pace is a bit slower, because you're doing the right thing for your body and not putting yourself face to face with an early end to your running career.
ReplyDeleteAlso, lift weights so lifting weights is easier!
i really want to do a turkey trot, maybe next year.
ReplyDeletei have been really inconsistent in the last few years. in 2012 i ran my best half and the best part about it was that i was consistent throughout the whole race. i ran comfortably, i felt good, i didn't push too hard, i didn't walk. i want to get back there and i am so far away from it right now it makes me so sad but i am not going to get better by sitting on the couch crying about it. fingers crossed 2016 is the year for the both of us :)