Tuesday, January 13, 2015

One Major Holdup - What's In Store For 2105?

I'm reading a lot of your blogs and am hearing about all the wonderful and challenging goals you all have for 2015! Way to make me feel like a slacker! lol. Seriously, you guys are awesome and motivating!

For the past (almost) 2 weeks, I've taken a break from running. Mentally and physically I needed it. As you saw from my last post, I did a LOT of races. Which in turn involved a LOT of running. I may not have been fast, but 1,000 miles at any pace is still 1,000 miles, right?  Eleven half marathons, a full marathon, and an ultra are still all those things whether you are fast or slow.

My plans nearing the end of last year were to take 2015 much easier. And then my boyfriend pointed out I already have races/runs planned from April through August. But it's only 1 per month so that's progress!  Here is what I already have planned. P.S. you have to excuse my sidebar that still has races from last year listed. I can't change it from this computer and keep forgetting to do it elsewhere.

2015 races on tap so far...

February 8: Frosty 5 miler, Channahon, Illinois - I did this race last year and it was ok. But believe it or not, my crazy friend is planning this as part of her bachelorette weekend. We are going out on Saturday night and this race is on Sunday at 1:00 p.m.  Let's just say, my goal is to finish and not throw up from my hangover.

April 4: Lincoln Presidential Half Marathon, Springfield, Illinois - This one has been on a small bucket list for a couple years. Should be a good time!

May 3: First Midwest Bank Half Marathon (aka Palos Half), Palos, Illinois - I did this one last year and it's local and basically almost all of my run friends do it. It was half off for a special deal price and I scooped it up!  My initial goal is to PR this race. But... see my hold up problem below. PR = TBD.

June 14: Marion Rotary Marathon for Shoes, Marion, Iowa - I won this marathon entry from Too Tall Fritz. So I guess I'm doing a marathon this year. Ideally, I would have tried to say "no marathons for 2015" but when you get a free entry...you use it. I have no goals for this race. Easy, peasy, get through it without dying.  Anything can go in June as far as weather goes so I'm not planning on a PR or anything. Just going for a little 26.2 mile run (up some hills and through a cemetery...seriously. Through a cemetery. Hey, I didn't make the course).  They actually have a video you can watch of them driving the course so that was cool.

July 18: Sister Lakes Triathlon (Olympic Distance) - Woohoo!!  Here I come Olympic Distance. My goal is to not dislocate my shoulder. Hey, that's a pretty good goal considering what happened at the Esprit De She last year.

August: St. Jude Chicago To Peoria Relay - I haven't signed up for this yet but it's essentially similar to Ragnar where you have a team and you each run a leg and repeat until you get to your destination (Peoria). My boyfriend's sister has a team and I told them I'd do it this year.

So there you have it. My list of races as of right now. This might even seem like a lot to some people but it's a far cry from last year. Although it's hard to say no if free races pop up...so I reserve the right to change this list at any time!

So what's the One Major Holdup I was talking about?  Weight. I know everyone should be happy with their body, etc, etc. And I am. BUT...I want to fit in my pants again. And I know it's a major factor on why I'm running much slower right now.  I need to get it together. Badly.

Ideally, I'd like to lose about 30 lbs. But I'm happy with any downward movement in the scale that holds. So I'm taking steps to achieve this right now (started yesterday). I will fill you in on those in a week or so.

I'm also having a problem figuring out how to PR my half marathon when I don't like running fast. I don't like running outside of my comfort zone. I need to put steps in place to figure this one out soon as I need to get a move on.  Any ideas how to get started on this goal?

Thanks for all your motivation and encouragement! Here is to a fabulous 2015!

12 comments:

  1. You can do it! You are already on your way. :) I totally get not wanting to get out of you "comfort zone".

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    1. Thank you Reen. It's so frustrating how hard it is to lose weight and how easy it is to gain it!!

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  2. Good goals! Kudos to you for going back to the triathlon! I'll be your accountability buddy on the weight front. I haven't blogged about it, but I am looking to lose weight as well-- get to "racing weight" :) I think that will make it easier for us to be faster! And we can come up with some ways to PR on the half marathons, without having to run fast! That means we have to figure out how to make fast easy... ! Either way, I think we could do some good on these two together!

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    1. I would love to have an accountability buddy. Good luck with yours! I so wish we lived a bit closer as a lot of our smaller goals are very similar!

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  3. So I am seeing now what you mean about how it looks like our paths aren't going to cross much this year. =( That's a bummer!

    I've heard really great things about the Lincoln Presidential Half and the First Midwest Bank Half!

    Regarding trying to PR the half marathon, I hear you on the discomfort of running fast. My philosophy is that a little bit of speedwork is better than nothing. So even if you do an interval workout where you only do a few intervals or your intervals are only moderately faster than your comfortable pace, it's still helpful in the long run (literally and figuratively)! This stuff really does add up over time!

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  4. I don't want to discourage you from trying to improve, however, my #1 piece of advice when it comes to working out (and running) is that it's supposed to be fun. If you want to run fast and/or PR because you enjoy those things, then great! Go for it! But if you're doing it just to say you PR'd ... is that still fun? Because it should be fun! There is nothing wrong with running for the sake of running, and not chasing PR's.

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    1. I definitely always want an honest opinion Maggie! Thank you! You know, there was a time that I could do speed work and really enjoy it. But last year I totally slowed down and did just run for fun. 11 halves and really only raced one! I appreciate you comment and if I'm not enjoying it, totally switching my mentality!

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  5. Hi - new reader and commenter here! I *totally* understand the comfort zone problem, and the weight problem. BUT each will help the other. You should get out of your running rut by trying some new strength or cross training. I neglected mine for a while, but lately I have been doing a new workout with some consistency, and it's REALLY helped my speed for running. And shocking your body with some new and different movement can help boost your metabolism. I'm sure you know these things, but I thought I'd point out that you can kill two birds with one stone, so to speak. Good luck with all your goals!

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    1. Tami - welcome to my blog and thanks for the comment! I completely agree with changing things up and trying new things. Actually I have been doing that a bit. I'm looking forward to reading your blog and seeing some of the things you have tried. Good luck with all your goals!

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  6. I have similar issues to you in trying to figure out how to PR the marathon. I can only think of increasing miles at this point, but I know I will need to work on my speed as well. I'm nervous heading to the track because I tend to overdo it and end up with some sort of injury over time!

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  7. You did a lot of racing in 2014 so it is totally okay with taking a break for a bit! Honestly since the Ironman, I haven't been doing very much and that was in September! Also I think it is totally acceptable to take an extended break if you aren't feeling it. I've been really into riding my bike lately and not so much into running. As long as I am doing some kind of physical activity I don't worry about it. I know my love for running will come back!

    I'm excited for your 2015! I can't wait to hear about the Olympic triathlon!

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  8. This is a great list! I might sign up for the Frosty 5 now that you mentioned it!

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