Wise Words...

The best way to become a mentally tough runner is to believe that you're a mentally tough runner. Ryan Hall

Tortoise and the Hare

(GOOGLE IMAGES)

I am slowly coming to terms with the fact that I'm getting slower (it is a SLOW process). Not that I was fast to begin with, but still...my run times are slower now than they were 4 years ago. And all that I have read about slower run times as you get older...well, that's pretty much true. 

Since I started participating in running events it seems like my times have been pretty consistent. My first 5k was at Livestrong 2008 and I finished in 39:37/12:46 pace. My PR for a 5k was at Blue Lake 2009 Run #1 36:28 run time/11:45 pace. My 8k PR is the 2010 Shamrock at 1:01:00 for a 12:12 pace and my first 10k last year was 1:23:56/13:31 pace. There have been several other events that I have entered and finished strong, but slower than I would like. Many of my times have been hovering around the 13:30s. Not horrible I guess.

So, as I make peace with getting slower, I'll continue to try to stay consistent. Like not getting so slow that I'm walking....or that the walkers on the course pass me while I'm running. 

Oh yeah, so now that I'm on THAT subject...yesterday I did the Ridgefield Independence run and did a decent run. It's a hilly course, but a good challenge for me to do every year! Anyway, there was one race walker that I just could not catch up with! When it got to the point that running up hill was not feeling good I stopped and started walking. Then this woman just goes blasting right past me...walking!!! I don't know when, but at one point I ended up in front of her and once again I stop to walk the last hill before heading back into town and Miss Speedy-Speederson goes zippin' past me again! Show off! I'm going to blame my short legs for my inability to keep up with her...hahaha. Seriously though, that kind of hurts my already fragile ego... ;)

So, now that I am finally feeling well enough to start running on a regular basis, I'm back to my training plan. I decided to pick up where I left off in June. So I am a couple of weeks behind now. Hopefully I won't lose too many other training runs. I'm pretty sure that the Run Like Hell 1/2 marathon is going to be the Run Like Hell 10k again this year...{sigh}...maybe next year.

I'm starting to wonder if maybe running just isn't my thing...or maybe my 47 year old body is trying to tell me running isn't supposed to be my thing. I'm not going to listen. 

Onward!

I should have known...

That if I write a post about liking running that things will go down hill...and quickly.

This week was not so great. Have been a bit under the weather pretty much since Saturday. At first I thought I had allergies (which I think I may have) and then it seemed that those symptoms morphed into a bit of a cold. Yay for me.

So, I'm coughing and dripping all over the place and hoping that maybe on Monday I can re-visit my half marathon training plan.

This week...I miss running, but then I've really liked all the sleep that I got the past few days!

Today...

I like running.


So I am nearing the end of week two of my Half Marathon training plan. I have to admit that I am actually enjoying this activity that is running. Crazy!

Monday was 3 miles, today I ran 2 and Saturday and do another 3 mile run. Each week I will be increasing my weekly mileage by at least one mile. I haven't looked too far ahead, but I do know that on the 30th my long run will be 4 miles. Normally that would just freak me out, but as I mentioned before...I'm enjoying my runs!

With the 4th of July coming up quickly, I'll need to start getting out and running on some hills! Ridgefield is not exactly flat land running...OYE.

Tomorrow and Friday are rest days or cross training if I choose. Maybe I'll do something on Friday, I am thinking sleep will be good tomorrow morning!

In A Groove...

A fierce competitor!

So, this year has been crazy! Started the year with a little running, did a lot of swimming and made some goals. Then Tom went and got in an accident and everything came to a screeching halt! Then I had some MRI issues and that didn't help matters much.

In April I started a crazy challenge for myself, but after a week, that ended. On April 11th, Tom was in his accident and I spent a lot of time going back and forth to the hospital and just hanging out. Even after Tom was able to go home, I was busy doing stuff for him, doing stuff around the house AND still going to work full time. So, very tired!

I think at the beginning of May I decided it was time to start doing something physical...so I got out and started running again. I managed once a week for a couple of weeks and then the next week I think I did 2 runs. THEN I actually had a 3 run week! Woo Hoo!!

When I got to that point I thought about how much I miss running (even though I suck at it) and thought about the events that I knew were coming up. My plan is to run the Ridgefield 4th of July run and then continue training for the Run Like Hell...possibly the 1/2 marathon, but most likely will end up doing the 10k like I did last year. So, I'm following a 1/2 marathon plan, but it will work for a 10k in a pinch!

The VBC Time Trial season started about a month ago...I'm hoping to get out there a few times this summer...even if Tom is there just watching.

I've decided to save my triathlon efforts for when Tom will be able to compete in the Duathlon again - so 2013 will be our year back into multisport!

I miss having Tom with me on the road and I have missed riding my bike, but there are other things that I need to pay attention to, but I know that in time, we'll be back out there tearing up the road together!