New Year's Running Resolutions, Part Deux

After my review of my previously set goals (that were not New Year's Resolutions), I'm now ready to reveal my 2013 Running Resolutions...

Drum roll please...

Training
1) Run 4-5 times a week.
2) Complete one speed workout per week.
3) One long run per week.
4) Incorporate strength training on off days.

If this looks very familiar, it should.  I didn't change much here as I think all parts are important. I accomplished half of my training goals from August. Also I learned that during the weeks leading up to a half or full marathon, speedwork really shouldn't play a huge (or any) part; especially if you are trying to accumulate the mileage like I was. Per running great, Hal Higdon:

"Speedwork is generally classified as training done faster than race pace. Different forms of speedwork include interval training on the track, fast repeats done on the road or track and tempo runs or fartlek. This form of training can help you run faster, but it can also increase your risk of injury if you overdo it. Be safe. Unless you are an advanced runner, save your speed training for periods outside the 18-week marathon buildup."

Times
1) 22 minute 5k
2) 1:45 half marathon
3) 48 minute 10k

It may seem like I've lost confidence in my ability to achieve a certain time. These are just more realistic goals for 2013. My dream times remain the same as previously posted in my August goal setting post.

Races
January: Naples 1/2 Marathon
February: FGCU 10k and Edison 5k
March: Hooters 1/2 Marathon and Race for the Cure 5k
April: 10k Run for the Music (Naples)
May: Turtle Trot 5k (Lover's Key)
June-August: This is the off-season, but I plan on completing the 2 mile fun runs put on by FMTC.


I, of course, have my parenting resolutions and other personal ones which I'll update this blog with later.

New Year's Running Resolutions, Part 1

Back when I started running (and blogging!) again post-baby, I posted a list of goals that I wanted to accomplish.  While it's been much less than a year, there is no better time than the start of the new year to revisit these goals and to either extend the previous goals or create new ones for myself. It's actually perfect timing because I'm feeling a bit lost right now post-women's half. There was so much work and excitement leading up to that 1/2 and now I'm not sure where I'm going with my running really. Hopefully this post will help me lay it out and get organized for the 2nd half of the race season.

Training Runs
Goal #1: Run 4-5 times a week
I've been pretty consistent in hitting this goal thanks to ABK.  I think it's also a goal I'll keep for the new year as it allows for recovery days.

Goal #2: From now until October 1st is to increase my mileage by a 1/2 mile each week until I reach 6 miles.  My hubby says this goal is a little over-ambitious, but I feel like if I run 4-5 training runs a week, an increase by a half mile shouldn't be too painful.  I know that the beginning-of-the-week runs will be slower and more painful, but I should be fine by the end of the week.
This goal was not reached. My hubby was right that I was a little over-ambitious in my goal setting, but I was easily hitting 6 before this date so I wasn't that far off! In fact, I raced this distance during the 2nd week of October and was pleased with my race results.

Goal #3: After reaching 6 mile regular training runs, include speed work once a week.
This goal was not reached. Once I was at this point in my training, it really was more prudent to keep up with longer and consistent runs, rather than to include speed work. This will be a goal that I will keep at for the remainder of the year.

Goal #4: After reaching 6 miles regular training runs, Include one long run a week.
Goal met! Nearly every week, from October and onward, ABK and I had a run of at least 7 or more miles.

Times
Goal #1: Once I am consistently at 6 miles for my training runs, I want to see myself running at a 7:15 pace for the 6 miles. 
Not even close! I knew this one would take some time. I can run at about 8.15 pace for an 8k. My average pace for a 6 mile training run is about a 9.13.

Goal #2: 20 minute 5k
Not even close! I don't even know what my 5k time would be right now. Although the last two 5ks have been on grass, my last one, which is also my fastest according to Nike+, was a 24.59.

Goal #3: 1:30 half marathon
Not even close! I also knew this would take some time. My realistic goal for my next half is 1:55.

Races
The following are the races that Ali and I will most likely do this year (thanks to Ali compiling the list):
September 1: Legacy 5k
October 6: Lexington Cares 5k
October 13: 10k Race for F.I.S.H
October 27: Race the Roof 8k
November 18: Women's Half Marathon
December 15: Frosty 5k
February 10: Rock 'N Roll Half Marathon

While I didn't do the Frosty 5k (instead opting for the Jingle Jog) and I won't be doing the Rock N Roll in February (instead choosing to do both the Naples and the Hooters for approximately the same cost), this goal is one I'd call completed!

I'd also like to add one more goal of strength training.
Not even close! I really need to work on this one!

Catch up!

As I'm looking back through my blog, I realize that it's been since October that I've written anything.  Between basketball season, 2 little ones, and a full time job, there is not a lot of time left over for me, which is the whole reason I get up at 3.45 every morning to pump and then run. I just don't have time for everything. I'd love to sit down with a good book and read more than a paragraph. Or even finishing my morning coffee before it's cold would be nice. I know every full-time working momma can relate, whether you work from home or at some place. Heck, right now I'm pumping and blogging. Talk about multitasking!

The last 2 months have not been overly busy running-wise. I ran two races - the St. Pete Women's Half in November and the Jingle Jog in December. The half was the antithesis of the first half I ran. Not only did I consistently run (unlike last time), which would set up me for more than a smidgeon of success, I stuck to my pace goal pretty consistently. My slowest split was a 9.27. I ended with a 2:04. My goal was around 2. I was hoping for a 1:55, but that will just be my new time goal for the Naples 1/2 in January. The day was breezy and cold. It wasn't bad until we hit the pier - being on the water like that was brutal. Luckily, it was just for a very short time. ABK and I ran the first

Sprint finish during a 1/2

10k together which was great for pace setting and motivation. The course was a great course. ABK had been warned about a bridge and cobblestones during our training leading up to the 1/2 and we had been worried. We ended up laughing as we ran through that first 10k because the bridge was basically a footbridge and the cobblestones were slightly uneven brick pavers. It was not nearly as bad as we had been lead to believe. I was able to come in strong at the end with a sprint. The bling was great, but I got emotional when we were given our medals. They had female military personnel dressed in their BDUs putting our medals around our necks. I started crying, thinking, "I should be putting this on her!" I gave the girl a huge impromptu hug and thanked her for her service.It made what I thought was a huge accomplishment seem a bit smaller once given some
perspective. It was a great race, huge improvement, and confidence builder after my first half marathon.

Bling!

Post-1/2 marathon, I had (have) been dealing with some burnout and struggled to get over an ear infection that had developed the week before the half, but never seemed to completely go away. I took a lot of time off between Thanksgiving and Christmas. I did complete a very small local race, the Jingle Jog 5k; the proceeds of which go to fund sunshades over school playgrounds. My school is a recipient of one of these shades which will be installed at the beginning of second semester. This race was totally a last minute entry (day of entry - something I'll never do again!) and was a grass course at Estero Park. This park has a major hill in one part of the course and soft sand/dirt through another section of the course that you have to run twice during the course layout. It was not an easy race. Plus, the volunteers directed me wrong, so I had to cut back to properly finish. They also entered my birth date wrong, placing me in an age group with 45 year olds! As my last race of my 20s, there was no way I was going to let that slide! I appealed and they corrected my age group.  I ended up winning my age group and receiving a medal, but my time was not great. Partially due to a rough, grassy course and bad course directions and also due to not having run very much prior to the race. A new running buddy, AKG ran this race as well. She placed 2nd overall.

Since right before Christmas and this past week, I've been dying to get out there again. It's been a struggle to get out of bed early since I've been on break, so there have been a few missed runs, but I've mostly made them up either later that day or the following day. There are only 18 days left before the Naples 1/2. I want to break 2 hours for this race, so I need to put in some serious training over the next 2 weeks to allow myself some taper time as well. I'm excited about how the race calendar is shaping up for the next several months. A couple more half marathons, a 10k, and a couple of undecided 5ks as well should make for a very nice close to the racing season.