Happy New Year!
2012 was a successful running year for me. However, the sheer number of races (one half marathon each month and 9 NYRR races) caused a hectic schedule. For 2013, I want to focus on being harder, better, faster, and stronger!
Harder: Run more difficult races. This will start next weekend with the Goofy's Marathon and a Half Challenge. I'll be running a half marathon on Saturday followed by a full marathon on Sunday.
Better: This aspect describes my training plans for the year. I plan to include much more speed work and strength training so that I can become faster without the injuries that plagued me at the end of last year.
Faster: My main speed goal is to run a half marathon in under 2 hours. I'm planning to do this for the NYC Half in March! I'd also like to break my full marathon PR of 4:36, by shaving 7 minutes off my time, I can finish in under 4:30. I'll have two chances this year to break my marathon record. One will come next week and the other will be with the NYC Marathon in November.
Stronger: After the Goofy Challenge I'm planning to include P90X into my training regimen. This will help prepare me for the Spartan Sprint Alek and I are planning to run in July!
What fitness goals do you have for 2013?
Wednesday, January 2, 2013
Wednesday, December 26, 2012
Running for a Cause: NYC Half
I've wanted to run the NYC Half ever since I learned about it but so far have been unable to win the lottery When the results for 2013 came in and I learned that Alek would be in the race while I was denied, I was excited for him but not sure what I wanted to do. I was hoping that the Sleepy Hollow Half or the Allstate New York Half would be held on the same weekend so I could also run a race. Sadly both of those will take place on March 23 and I've already got plans!
I noticed that fundraising spots were still open for the New York City half, so I decided that was the way I would enter the race! I've decided to join the American Cancer Society's DetermiNation team to help with cancer research and prevention.
After 2012, its pretty clear that a half marathon is no challenge for me. I want my supporters to feel like they're helping to push me through something challenging, so I'm going to train to run the NYC half in less than 2 hours. I've never before been able to do this, but with some dedicated training it will be possible.
If you'd like to help end cancer and support me in my sub 2 hour NYC Half, you can donate at http://main.acsevents.org/goto/sadpony. Remember, every dollar helps!
I noticed that fundraising spots were still open for the New York City half, so I decided that was the way I would enter the race! I've decided to join the American Cancer Society's DetermiNation team to help with cancer research and prevention.
After 2012, its pretty clear that a half marathon is no challenge for me. I want my supporters to feel like they're helping to push me through something challenging, so I'm going to train to run the NYC half in less than 2 hours. I've never before been able to do this, but with some dedicated training it will be possible.
If you'd like to help end cancer and support me in my sub 2 hour NYC Half, you can donate at http://main.acsevents.org/goto/sadpony. Remember, every dollar helps!
Monday, December 24, 2012
2012 Year End Summary
I did it! My 2012 resolutions were to run 1 race of at least half marathon length each month and also to qualify for the 2013 New York Marathon through the NYRR 9+1 program.
I ran 11 half marathons and 1 full marathon. I also managed to get faster through the year. Check out all of those medals! (There are only 11 because Grete's Great Gallop didn't have a finisher medal. So disappointing.).
I ran 9 NYRR races, and was able to transfer my registration for the cancelled Dash to the Finish Line to a different race for next year. I'll be running NYC in 2013!
I ran 11 half marathons and 1 full marathon. I also managed to get faster through the year. Check out all of those medals! (There are only 11 because Grete's Great Gallop didn't have a finisher medal. So disappointing.).
I ran 9 NYRR races, and was able to transfer my registration for the cancelled Dash to the Finish Line to a different race for next year. I'll be running NYC in 2013!
Stay tuned for my 2013 plans! Merry Christmas!
Friday, December 21, 2012
Treadmills (boo)!
I really dislike running on the treadmill. But with the park closed after 4:30 PM or when the weather is crappy, its sometimes my best option. Last night I ran 8 miles on a treadmill. Usually when I start a run outside, the first mile is the hardest. After that I get in a grove and press on. I found that on the treadmill, the first three miles were brutal. How can you fix this?
I found that pumping up the speed for 1 minute and then going slower for 5 minutes helped the time pass. My target was no longer 8 long miles, but rather 5 minutes from now when I would really push myself. This made the last half of my run pass in no time.
What tricks do you use to make treadmill running bearable?
I found that pumping up the speed for 1 minute and then going slower for 5 minutes helped the time pass. My target was no longer 8 long miles, but rather 5 minutes from now when I would really push myself. This made the last half of my run pass in no time.
What tricks do you use to make treadmill running bearable?
Monday, December 17, 2012
Brooklyn Bridge Park's Newest Area
Saturday I had the chance to run through Brooklyn Bridge Park's newly opened Pier 5. The pier includes several soccer fields, a picnic area with charcoal grills, and a children's play area. It looks like they did a nice job, even though there still aren't any lights on after 4:30pm, meaning the park closes.
It was a chilly morning, and as I ran through I saw a few curious folks walking around and checking things out. I'm excited to use the charcoal grills when it warms up, although I expect we'll need to get there very early if we want to use one of the community grills.
Running through the park's newest area also reminded me how great it is to run through the park during the colder months. As I imagined how full the park would be like this summer as folks are using the grills, I was happy for the chance to visit the park without so many people.
It was a chilly morning, and as I ran through I saw a few curious folks walking around and checking things out. I'm excited to use the charcoal grills when it warms up, although I expect we'll need to get there very early if we want to use one of the community grills.
Running through the park's newest area also reminded me how great it is to run through the park during the colder months. As I imagined how full the park would be like this summer as folks are using the grills, I was happy for the chance to visit the park without so many people.
Friday, December 14, 2012
Goofy Challenge Training Check-in
We're currently 4 weeks out from the Goofy's Marathon and a Half Challenge. I don't feel prepared at all. As I was starting my training, I was struggling with a hip injury. Fortunately that's better now, but I did skip several long runs because of it.
When training for my previous two marathons, I completed two 20 mile long training runs before the race. Now I won't have time for that. I'm planning long runs of 18 miles this weekend and 20 next weekend. Right now, my longest run has been 16 miles. There are several marathon training programs that have long runs max out at 16 miles, so I should be ok.
The last two weeks before the race are meant to be a taper. This is the time to back off on miles, and rest up so your legs are fresh for the big day. I've planned a few ski trips during the taper. I'm not entirely sure how that will go. Downhill skiing does involve a lot of squatting, which is good for strengthening the hips. However, I'm going to miss several scheduled runs because of them.
Luckily, Disney is liberal with their time limits. Even if I find that I wasn't prepared for the race, I don't think I'll be so slow as to not cross the finish line within the 7 hour time limit.
Here's hoping the next few weeks go well without injury or too much rain (I hate running outside in the rain).
When training for my previous two marathons, I completed two 20 mile long training runs before the race. Now I won't have time for that. I'm planning long runs of 18 miles this weekend and 20 next weekend. Right now, my longest run has been 16 miles. There are several marathon training programs that have long runs max out at 16 miles, so I should be ok.
The last two weeks before the race are meant to be a taper. This is the time to back off on miles, and rest up so your legs are fresh for the big day. I've planned a few ski trips during the taper. I'm not entirely sure how that will go. Downhill skiing does involve a lot of squatting, which is good for strengthening the hips. However, I'm going to miss several scheduled runs because of them.
Luckily, Disney is liberal with their time limits. Even if I find that I wasn't prepared for the race, I don't think I'll be so slow as to not cross the finish line within the 7 hour time limit.
Here's hoping the next few weeks go well without injury or too much rain (I hate running outside in the rain).
Wednesday, December 12, 2012
Dancing
Alek and I have started taking ballroom dancing lessons in preparation for our wedding. We're not good enough at this point for me to really consider this cross training. We stop and start to get advice on where we've messed up and we never really get our heart rates up.
So why am I even talking about this on my blog? Form is very important in dancing. It's something I think about abstractly when I'm running but I don't pay much attention to it. Our dance instructor is constantly impressing the importance of good posture on us. As someone with not so great posture, it's good to spend a couple of hours every week working on it. I also find myself more aware of my posture when sitting or standing at work and while running!
I'll give another update when we're good enough for our dance lessons to count as cross training :)
So why am I even talking about this on my blog? Form is very important in dancing. It's something I think about abstractly when I'm running but I don't pay much attention to it. Our dance instructor is constantly impressing the importance of good posture on us. As someone with not so great posture, it's good to spend a couple of hours every week working on it. I also find myself more aware of my posture when sitting or standing at work and while running!
I'll give another update when we're good enough for our dance lessons to count as cross training :)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)