I feel a bit silly writing this post because my running pales in comparison to some I've seen on other blogs (like crazy but adorable Janae who ran TWENTY-EIGHT MILES the other day... just because). That being said, this is all new to me, and I've gotten such wonderful feedback from all of you that I want to keep blogging about my training, and that's what this post is all about! It's only fitting that I write this right before the new year because the first New Year's Resolution that popped into my head was to stick to my training. Because lemme tell ya, I haven't been...
THE PLAN. The calendar below details my training plan for January. December and the last bit of November looked the same, just with lower mileage. But you see all those days marked "Yoga/Pilates" and "cross training" and "strength training"? Yeah. There are big F's over those days because F stands for FAIL, my friends. But that will not be the case for 2011!! I am going to do it ALL like a good little Half-Marathon runner, and you guys are going to help me stay accountable!
THE SACRIFICE. There are going to be some things I have to give up if I'm going to be said rockstar. The hardest thing for me will definitely be social activities, particularly those that revolve around drinking and very late nights. Both don't bode well for early long runs on the weekends, and even dinner/drinks/movie plans during the week mess up my training schedule. Because I don't want to be a total, miserable recluse, I've decided that the best plan for me is to have a plan. If I have a dinner date, then that means I have to do my workout in the morning (which I know I CAN do), and if I want to go out on the weekends, then I have to limit it to one night (aka not the night before my long run) OR I can go out and not drink (which, let's be honest, is not much fun). Oh Lord, I can hear my friends sighing and groaning now!
THE EATS (aka the other sacrifice). I'm gonna be honest... I haven't been eatin' so well. Now, I could blame the Holidays or the fact that running burns a lot of calories ("I have to refuel!!"), but the reality is that I just love food. Lots of it. I'm an equal opportunity eater, too. I love brussel sprouts as much as I love french fries (well... almost as much), but I do love french fries. I mentioned awhile back that I joined Weight Watchers, and yes, I am still a member. Unfortunately, work has caused me to miss more than several meetings over the past couple of months, and not going means not thinking about it which means not tracking which means not losing. My goal for the holidays was to just not gain anything, which I think I've successfully done. But now, I have a new goal: to lose 10 lbs by February 20 (aka this day). Pretty ambitious, but I think fully possible as long as I stick to the Program. Thank G I have an awesome support group! (TUESDAY HAPPY HOUR GALS, I'M TALKIN' ABOUT YOU!!!) So french fries are OK, just not everyday and okay, maybe not always dipped in full-fat ranch (mmmm ranch). ;) Oh and I should probably lay off of these as well (thank G they are seasonal)...
(Candy Cane Joe Joe's from Trader Joe's aka a better peppermint oreo aka CRACK)
THE LIFE. Confession: I love being a runner. I love that I ran 4.5 miles tonight like it was nothing, when a few months ago I could barely run a mile without stopping to walk. I love the gadgets (like my big ole ugly Garmin) and the excuse to buy Lululemon clothes (don't read this, Mom!!). Heck, I even love wearing my dorky compression socks complete with ice pack pockets!
Along with that love, however, comes fear. I'm afraid that I won't be able to do it. I'm afraid I'll fail.... again. Last weekend, my 6-mile long run in California was beyond painful, and I couldn't help but wonder how the hell I was going to run 13.1 miles if I could barely run 6. But that kind of thinking gets you nowhere so I pushed it out of my mind as best I could. I. Can. Do. This.
THE FUTURE. From this point on, I'm going to be smart. I'm going to take care of my body - train it properly, fuel it properly and thank it for doing what it's doing. I know why my last 6-miler was so painful - it's because I'm trying to do too much too fast. Every book, magazine article and runner will tell you not to increase distance and speed simultaneously. But guess what I'm doing? Uh huh... Honestly, I blame all those darn healthy living/running bloggers that run sub-8 min miles all the time! I need to use these blogs as motivation, not as a measuring stick. I need to SLOW DOWN and just focus on finishing. Remind me of that, will you??
Ok, here I go, time to be a rockstar!!!
4 comments:
Wow, that is quite the challenge, but I know you can do it!
With some inspiration I went to the gym to "run" yesterday and kind of died. Ah well, that's life.
Enjoy your runs and run like a rockstar!
This is awesome. You are a total inspiration. I used to be one of those mega athletes. Now I'm a massive (literally) coach potato.
Good for you for recognizing that those posts are motivation and not comparison. If you push too hard too fast you will end up injured and not able to run at all. This is said from personal experience. Instead take pride in the leaps and bounds you are making in comparison to yourself last month!
Those posts are definitely my motivation, but I have learned to be okay with the fact that I may never run a 7 minute mile or run more than 15 miles at one time. Those posts are fun to read, but it's so important to listen to your body. Plus, just getting out and running/working out on a regular basis will contribute to your health, it doesn't matter how skilled you are at it :)
Hi Carolyn,
I just stumbled upon your blog - welcome to NYC :) Will definitely follow and hope you stay on track with your monthly goals. And if you ever wanna do a morning workout with us or want us to tag along on a run with you, please hit us up (or at least follow us! ssfitexpress.blogspot.com)
Good Luck - we're cheering for ya!
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