Today I ran 16 miles on my treadmill. Previously, the furthest I ever ran on a treadmill was 14 miles, so this is a PR!
I watched the forecast all week and I knew the weather was not looking good for my weekend runs. Because of this, I ran my Tuesday 8-miler outside, in case I didn't get outside on Friday (I try to run at least 2 times per week outside.). This was a smart move because yesterday after work, it was FREEZING! I had to do a coat of paint on the baseboard and I usually run quicker on the treadmill, so I did my 8-mile pace run inside. I had it on 7.5 speed 1 % incline( 8 min. mile) for about 6 miles, then dropped it down to about 7.3 for the last two. I started to feel a little lightheaded, so I thought I better move it down a notch. I have to remember that as I increase my mileage, I need to increase my calories.
I woke up this morning, and it was 5 degrees! I learned my lesson after my last long run in 12 degrees, so I knew it was going to be a treadmill run. I would have been ok if i was only heading out for an hour, but for 2.5, it would have been stupid to run outside. I would have been miserable the whole time. Plus, my body would have had to work even harder to keep warm, I knew I would get a better quality workout on my treadmill (can you tell I am justifying it to myself!).
I got my G2 gatorade, water, and sweedish fish (When I am running that far, I need to think about fuel, or I will get lightheaded, but I don't like to do GU or Powerbar Gel until I get to 19 or 20...I have no logic for this other than mental reasons.). I rented Julie and Julia, so I was occupied for the first two hours. It was an ok movie, but nothing great. The run was uneventful until Dewey (my mother-in-law's Gordon Setter, whom we are dogsitting) decided to try to jump on the treadmill with me. Well, he freaked out and got scared, as did I. As if once wasn't enough, he tried it again! He's very loveable, but I do question his intelligence at times!
After the movie was over, I still had two miles. I found Platinum Weddings on TV and watched that for a bit. I kept the treadmill at 7.0 speed with 1 % incline for 14 miles, then cranked it up to 7.3 2% incline for the last two just to tire my legs out a bit. I usually like to run the last few miles of my long runs faster, so my legs learn to respond when they are tired. I felt great and don't even feel that tired now!
One problem that I always have and no matter what I try, I just can't solve, is my hair. No matter what I do, it is always a tangled mess when I finish my long runs. It hasn't been bad lately because I don't sweat that much when it is cold, but today, I was reminded of my problem. I can't wear it in a regular ponytail because of the bouncing, it gets tangled as it swings back and forth. I braid it, but my hair is on the thin side, so it falls out of a braid rather easily. Today I pulled it into a pony tail and put a pony tail holder towards the bottom and that second elastic fell out as I was running. The problem is that I sweat from the crown of my head where my pony tail elastic is. Then, the thick clump of hair at the top of my ponytail gets matted and the knots work their way downward, if that makes sense. I have tried everything! Buns, loops, braids, and sweatbands all don't work. I have to spend my shower wrestling with the knots in my hair! So if anyone has any more ideas, please share because it is beyond frustrating!
On a personal note...my cousin, Amy had her baby on Wednesday! She had a hell of a labor, and ended up having a C-section. The baby looks beautiful, and they named her Abby. I can't wait to meet her in person! I also hope Amy has a quick recovery because I know she is dying to get back into shape and get running!
Also...carpeting for the basement is coming on Monday. Then, our new furniture is coming on Thursday. We are having a few people over for Super Bowl Sunday to enjoy it. I can't wait because this has been consuming our lives forever! Poor Aaron has been working his butt off. He has always worked alot for his job, but for the last few months, he has been working in our basement until 10:00 at night after work. Some times, he gets up at 6 and works for an hour and a half before he goes to actual work. I can't wait to get my husband back and be able to do things together again! Plus, I will have help around the house because I have been doing all of the cooking and cleaning myself. I will post pictues as soon as I can!
Week 8 Schedule
Monday: 4 miles
Tuesday: 8 miles
Wednesday: 40 min. tempo. 5 min. warm up, 30 minutes at 7:40 pace, and 5 min. cool down. This will probably be about 5 miles.
Friday: 8 miles (not pace)
Saturday: 17 miles
Total: 42 miles
Also...I hit 150 miles for January!
Here is my Week 8 Schedule
Saturday, January 30, 2010
Monday, January 25, 2010
Week 7
I don't have time for a long post, but I wanted to post the mileage for this week. This is what I considered the "hard" part of training! 8-miles after work is a pain, and this week they start!
Schedule
Monday: 4 miles
Tuesday: 8 miles
Wednesday: 5 x hill (at least 4 miles)
Friday: 8 miles
Saturday: 16 miles
Total: 40 miles...it's been awhile since I ran that much in one week!
They are saying it might be a mess on Saturday morning: snow, sleet, freezing rain. I really hope they are wrong (they usually are). I REALLY don't want to run 16 miles on the treadmill or in the ice. \
Last week, the running was fine. I did my long run of 10 at 8:53 and my pace run of 7 at 8:12. My legs were tired on Sunday, which is odd for a cutback week! I need to make sure I don't run too fast, as I don't want to burn myself out. This week is going to be extremely busy. The carpet is being installed in the basement next Monday, and there is still alot of painting to finish up. So this is my plan for the week: work, run, paint. Sounds fun!
Schedule
Monday: 4 miles
Tuesday: 8 miles
Wednesday: 5 x hill (at least 4 miles)
Friday: 8 miles
Saturday: 16 miles
Total: 40 miles...it's been awhile since I ran that much in one week!
They are saying it might be a mess on Saturday morning: snow, sleet, freezing rain. I really hope they are wrong (they usually are). I REALLY don't want to run 16 miles on the treadmill or in the ice. \
Last week, the running was fine. I did my long run of 10 at 8:53 and my pace run of 7 at 8:12. My legs were tired on Sunday, which is odd for a cutback week! I need to make sure I don't run too fast, as I don't want to burn myself out. This week is going to be extremely busy. The carpet is being installed in the basement next Monday, and there is still alot of painting to finish up. So this is my plan for the week: work, run, paint. Sounds fun!
Saturday, January 16, 2010
A Family Affair
I had two amazing runs in the last two day! Yesterday, I didn't have work. It was a make-up snow day that we didn't use yet, so we had it off (stupid, I know, it's only january!). I headed out for a 7-miler. It wasn't a pace run, just an easy run. The sun was out, it was about 35 degrees and I finished in an hour! It ended up being 8:33 pace...almost MP! I ran to the other side of the Market St. Bridge and back.
Today, I had 14 on the schedule. It was about 35 degrees at the start, so I wore my Under Armour shirt (not cold gear) and a tech shirt with my vest. On my legs, I wore my Nike tights. I also wore my gloves and a headband. It was the perfect outfit! I probably could have lost the gloves and headband towards the end, but for the most part, I was fine. The run was great. I felt really strong and ran a quick pace without even trying. I ended up back at my house with 3 miles to go, so I just pretty much ran around Forty Fort to finish. No matter how hard I try to stretch the run out, unless I go the Wyoming/West Pittston route, I have a really hard time getting miles in. I ran through Wilkes and my old apartment, plus I did the whole square thing. I even hit the Pierce St. Bridge and Rutter Ave (which I had been avoiding lately, since I was sick of it). I did a lap in Kirby Park, including the levee, and I still ended up at 11 miles! This is how I don't know how people run without a Garmin. It is so nice to just run wherever the mood strikes, instead of a planned route! The run ended up being 8:48 pace...yikes! That is too fast for a long run, unless my paces are getting quicker. I am going to have to see how recovery goes (I feel just fine now). The last thing I was is an injury! And...I hit 35 miles for the week...the most since the week I ran Steamtown in October! I brought Sport Beans, as I am getting into the long runs that I need to think about fuel, but I didn't need them. I drank about 20 oz from my handheld and it was perfect. I stick to water on my runs, until I get to the 20s, then I mix in some Gatorade.
As I was running, I was feeling sorry for myself that I don't have a running partner. It seems that on the message boards that I frequent everyone has a running partner. I would love to have someone to run long with on the weekends! This got me to thinking what an athletic extended family I have, hence the title of this post. Once I started thinking of it, I am so proud of us! Not many families have accomplished what we have.
I guess my Uncle Ron leads all of us. I am not sure of his official number, but he has probably run 30 marathons. He is the only family member that is local, but he is too good for me to run with! Next (and just as, if not more impressive) is his son, my cousin, Ronnie. He is an Ironman I don't know how many times over, including Kona. I have lost touch with him a bit in recent years, but he definitely amazes me with his ability and dedication. In that same family, is my cousin, Amy, and her husband, Chad. Amy has one marathon under her belt, and I know she will do more once she gives birth and recovers! Chad is a half Ironman and two-time marathoner! How's that for an athletic core family!
On the other side of my family, my cousin, Tony, is a triathlete and he and his wife, Sara, will complete their first marathon in April. I am pretty sure that Sara is moving on the triathlons after that! My sister-in-law, Lexi, is a two-time marathoner, and her husband, Greg, completed his first (and last, so he says) marathon this fall. Then, of course, there is me. I have 3 marathons under my belt and will run my 4th, Boston, in April. So I have all these people that are hard core athletes in my family, but still no running partner! Too bad that they all live far away from me. At least, I have some people to run races with!
Here is my schedule for next week:
Monday: 7 miles (I am switching Mon and Tues due to my work schedule)
Tuesday: 3 miles (last week of 3s...boo!)
Wednesday: 5 x 800 meters
Friday: 7 miles pace
Saturday: 10 (cutback week)
Today, I had 14 on the schedule. It was about 35 degrees at the start, so I wore my Under Armour shirt (not cold gear) and a tech shirt with my vest. On my legs, I wore my Nike tights. I also wore my gloves and a headband. It was the perfect outfit! I probably could have lost the gloves and headband towards the end, but for the most part, I was fine. The run was great. I felt really strong and ran a quick pace without even trying. I ended up back at my house with 3 miles to go, so I just pretty much ran around Forty Fort to finish. No matter how hard I try to stretch the run out, unless I go the Wyoming/West Pittston route, I have a really hard time getting miles in. I ran through Wilkes and my old apartment, plus I did the whole square thing. I even hit the Pierce St. Bridge and Rutter Ave (which I had been avoiding lately, since I was sick of it). I did a lap in Kirby Park, including the levee, and I still ended up at 11 miles! This is how I don't know how people run without a Garmin. It is so nice to just run wherever the mood strikes, instead of a planned route! The run ended up being 8:48 pace...yikes! That is too fast for a long run, unless my paces are getting quicker. I am going to have to see how recovery goes (I feel just fine now). The last thing I was is an injury! And...I hit 35 miles for the week...the most since the week I ran Steamtown in October! I brought Sport Beans, as I am getting into the long runs that I need to think about fuel, but I didn't need them. I drank about 20 oz from my handheld and it was perfect. I stick to water on my runs, until I get to the 20s, then I mix in some Gatorade.
As I was running, I was feeling sorry for myself that I don't have a running partner. It seems that on the message boards that I frequent everyone has a running partner. I would love to have someone to run long with on the weekends! This got me to thinking what an athletic extended family I have, hence the title of this post. Once I started thinking of it, I am so proud of us! Not many families have accomplished what we have.
I guess my Uncle Ron leads all of us. I am not sure of his official number, but he has probably run 30 marathons. He is the only family member that is local, but he is too good for me to run with! Next (and just as, if not more impressive) is his son, my cousin, Ronnie. He is an Ironman I don't know how many times over, including Kona. I have lost touch with him a bit in recent years, but he definitely amazes me with his ability and dedication. In that same family, is my cousin, Amy, and her husband, Chad. Amy has one marathon under her belt, and I know she will do more once she gives birth and recovers! Chad is a half Ironman and two-time marathoner! How's that for an athletic core family!
On the other side of my family, my cousin, Tony, is a triathlete and he and his wife, Sara, will complete their first marathon in April. I am pretty sure that Sara is moving on the triathlons after that! My sister-in-law, Lexi, is a two-time marathoner, and her husband, Greg, completed his first (and last, so he says) marathon this fall. Then, of course, there is me. I have 3 marathons under my belt and will run my 4th, Boston, in April. So I have all these people that are hard core athletes in my family, but still no running partner! Too bad that they all live far away from me. At least, I have some people to run races with!
Here is my schedule for next week:
Monday: 7 miles (I am switching Mon and Tues due to my work schedule)
Tuesday: 3 miles (last week of 3s...boo!)
Wednesday: 5 x 800 meters
Friday: 7 miles pace
Saturday: 10 (cutback week)
Saturday, January 9, 2010
What I learned today...
I just posted this as my facebook status, but today I learned that I have nothing to prove to anyone (mostly myself). Just being able to run 13 miles is hardcore. Running it outside in 12 degree weather when you have a perfectly good treadmill in a nice warm spare bedroom is just stupid and all the expensive gear in the world won't stop you from freezing your butt off!
Obviously, my long run sucked. Running-wise it was fine, but I really am a baby when it comes to cold weather. To those people who run in those sub zero temps, I honestly think you are crazy! I woke up and got all my layers on: under armour cold gear (tights and shirt), my nike cold weather turtle neck, reebok wind pants, and Aaron's old Lafayette baseball jacket as a windbreaker (size XL, so yeah, I was a sight to see). I also wore my balaclava and underarmour gloves and carried my 20 oz handheld water bottle. I even heated up the water ahead of time because I didn't want to drink cold water. My legs were still sore from Wednesday's hill workout and my pace run yesterday. I am actually happy about that. It takes alot for me to get sore legs!
The run actually started off ok, and i felt good for most of it. Around the 11-mile mark, I started to get cold. REALLY COLD! I think the wind was picking up and the temperature was dropping, despite the nice, sunny day (at least that's what Tom Clark said this morning). I think if I was only out there for about an hour, I would have felt great. 2 hours (actually 1:53) was too long in these temps. I can only imagine what the wind chill was. By the time I was finished, the water in my water bottle was frozen despite starting with warm water. My braid was frozen solid from the sweat (and it was tucked into my balaclava) and my nostrils were actually starting to freeze! My nose wouldn't stop running and the tissue I had with me (stupid me only brought one tissue) was frozen solid, so I was blowing my nose into a hard clump of paper, hence the frozen nostrils!
I should have ran half the mileage outside and then moved it indoors. For some reason, I feel like I'm not a "hardcore" runner for running indoors. I feel I need to prove that I am a real runner by torturing myself. Honestly, it was just stupid. My balaclava worked well with keeping my face warm, but despite the good reviews, it does get damp from breathing into it. I hate the feeling of dampness on my skin. Uhh...it is the worst feeling! Somehow I ended up at 9:03 pace, which is perfect, if not a little fast, for a long run. I felt like I was working so hard and still going so slow. Every time I would look at my pace, it was fine, but I just felt like I was going so slow. I felt like I was barely lifting up my legs my last two miles and I know I saw a 9:30 in there! I just noticed that this is the exact pace I ran two weeks ago for my 11-miler...very weird!
Yesterday, I was so thrilled with my under armour cold gear. It was about 25 degrees out and snowing, and I was nice and toasty warm! It was a 6-mile pace run and I felt great. I average 8:28 which isn't my marathon pace goal, but with the conditions, it is right where I should be. Yesterday, it snowed in the morning and there was still some icy patches on the sidewalks, so I had to be really careful. Plus, I forgot to turn on the auto-pause on my garmin, so the clock was running even when I was stopped for traffic lights. I didn't wear the balaclava, only a knit hat and it was perfect. I only wore the cold gear and wind pants and a nike half zip cold weather shirt, and like I said, I felt great!
I ended up with 31 miles, which is the highest mileage I have run since November. I am actually looking forward to cranking up the mileage. I am paying attention to my weight this time around because I think I actually gain a pound or two when I am running high mileage, so I want to see if that is true.
Week 5 is finally starting to get a little hard. Here is the schedule:
Monday: 3 miles (I am going to be sad when I lose these 3-milers)
Tuesday: 7 miles
Wednesday: 35 min. tempo (prob 4.5/5 miles)
Friday: 7 miles (not pace)
Saturday: 14 miles
Obviously, my long run sucked. Running-wise it was fine, but I really am a baby when it comes to cold weather. To those people who run in those sub zero temps, I honestly think you are crazy! I woke up and got all my layers on: under armour cold gear (tights and shirt), my nike cold weather turtle neck, reebok wind pants, and Aaron's old Lafayette baseball jacket as a windbreaker (size XL, so yeah, I was a sight to see). I also wore my balaclava and underarmour gloves and carried my 20 oz handheld water bottle. I even heated up the water ahead of time because I didn't want to drink cold water. My legs were still sore from Wednesday's hill workout and my pace run yesterday. I am actually happy about that. It takes alot for me to get sore legs!
The run actually started off ok, and i felt good for most of it. Around the 11-mile mark, I started to get cold. REALLY COLD! I think the wind was picking up and the temperature was dropping, despite the nice, sunny day (at least that's what Tom Clark said this morning). I think if I was only out there for about an hour, I would have felt great. 2 hours (actually 1:53) was too long in these temps. I can only imagine what the wind chill was. By the time I was finished, the water in my water bottle was frozen despite starting with warm water. My braid was frozen solid from the sweat (and it was tucked into my balaclava) and my nostrils were actually starting to freeze! My nose wouldn't stop running and the tissue I had with me (stupid me only brought one tissue) was frozen solid, so I was blowing my nose into a hard clump of paper, hence the frozen nostrils!
I should have ran half the mileage outside and then moved it indoors. For some reason, I feel like I'm not a "hardcore" runner for running indoors. I feel I need to prove that I am a real runner by torturing myself. Honestly, it was just stupid. My balaclava worked well with keeping my face warm, but despite the good reviews, it does get damp from breathing into it. I hate the feeling of dampness on my skin. Uhh...it is the worst feeling! Somehow I ended up at 9:03 pace, which is perfect, if not a little fast, for a long run. I felt like I was working so hard and still going so slow. Every time I would look at my pace, it was fine, but I just felt like I was going so slow. I felt like I was barely lifting up my legs my last two miles and I know I saw a 9:30 in there! I just noticed that this is the exact pace I ran two weeks ago for my 11-miler...very weird!
Yesterday, I was so thrilled with my under armour cold gear. It was about 25 degrees out and snowing, and I was nice and toasty warm! It was a 6-mile pace run and I felt great. I average 8:28 which isn't my marathon pace goal, but with the conditions, it is right where I should be. Yesterday, it snowed in the morning and there was still some icy patches on the sidewalks, so I had to be really careful. Plus, I forgot to turn on the auto-pause on my garmin, so the clock was running even when I was stopped for traffic lights. I didn't wear the balaclava, only a knit hat and it was perfect. I only wore the cold gear and wind pants and a nike half zip cold weather shirt, and like I said, I felt great!
I ended up with 31 miles, which is the highest mileage I have run since November. I am actually looking forward to cranking up the mileage. I am paying attention to my weight this time around because I think I actually gain a pound or two when I am running high mileage, so I want to see if that is true.
Week 5 is finally starting to get a little hard. Here is the schedule:
Monday: 3 miles (I am going to be sad when I lose these 3-milers)
Tuesday: 7 miles
Wednesday: 35 min. tempo (prob 4.5/5 miles)
Friday: 7 miles (not pace)
Saturday: 14 miles
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
Week 4
I realized I slacked on posting Week 4!
Monday: 3 miles (OUTSIDE!)
Tuesday: 6 miles (treadmill at 7.3 speed and 1% incline)
Wednesday: 4 x hill (at least 3 miles, probably more) I run for 3 minutes on 9% incline, 7.2 speed then slow down with no incline for 3 minutes and repeat)
Friday: 6 miles
Satuday: 13 miles....longest run since Steamtown!
This week I decided that I need to suck it up and run outside. I see many people running on Wyoming Ave, and I am just being a baby about the cold. Yesterday, I wore my new Under Armour Cold Gear and my new face mask. I was nice and toasty warm! In fact, half a mile in, I had to pull the face mask off (ok, so it was about 25 degrees, which isn't that cold, but I wanted to try it out!). I was shocked at how warm I felt. I was actually sweating when I got home! I wanted to run outside today, but I also wanted to bake chicken in the oven, and don't feel comfortable leaving the house with the oven on, so I hopped on the treadmill and watched Law and Order. It was a good run.
I am still very slightly feeling my left knee (IT BAND!). It doesn't hurt, but I can feel it. My chiro always asked me to evaluate my pain on a scale from 1-10, so I guess this is a 1. I have to start using my foam roller more religiously. I also need to start doing more core work. I have been slacking!
On the basement front...I painted all the trim (crown molding and all the doors). Anyone who knows Aaron knows how anal he is. We take NO shortcuts in this house! I spent my Christmas break sanding, patching, priming, and painting. Aaron actually said I did better job than he would have! This is very impressive. Perhaps, he just wants to keep encouraging me so I will keep working. We also picked out our carpeting, which is different that I envisioned. We are going very dark. The carpet guy talked us into it considering out other color choices. I think it will look really good.
Monday: 3 miles (OUTSIDE!)
Tuesday: 6 miles (treadmill at 7.3 speed and 1% incline)
Wednesday: 4 x hill (at least 3 miles, probably more) I run for 3 minutes on 9% incline, 7.2 speed then slow down with no incline for 3 minutes and repeat)
Friday: 6 miles
Satuday: 13 miles....longest run since Steamtown!
This week I decided that I need to suck it up and run outside. I see many people running on Wyoming Ave, and I am just being a baby about the cold. Yesterday, I wore my new Under Armour Cold Gear and my new face mask. I was nice and toasty warm! In fact, half a mile in, I had to pull the face mask off (ok, so it was about 25 degrees, which isn't that cold, but I wanted to try it out!). I was shocked at how warm I felt. I was actually sweating when I got home! I wanted to run outside today, but I also wanted to bake chicken in the oven, and don't feel comfortable leaving the house with the oven on, so I hopped on the treadmill and watched Law and Order. It was a good run.
I am still very slightly feeling my left knee (IT BAND!). It doesn't hurt, but I can feel it. My chiro always asked me to evaluate my pain on a scale from 1-10, so I guess this is a 1. I have to start using my foam roller more religiously. I also need to start doing more core work. I have been slacking!
On the basement front...I painted all the trim (crown molding and all the doors). Anyone who knows Aaron knows how anal he is. We take NO shortcuts in this house! I spent my Christmas break sanding, patching, priming, and painting. Aaron actually said I did better job than he would have! This is very impressive. Perhaps, he just wants to keep encouraging me so I will keep working. We also picked out our carpeting, which is different that I envisioned. We are going very dark. The carpet guy talked us into it considering out other color choices. I think it will look really good.
Saturday, January 2, 2010
2009 Review and 2010 Goals
I ran 1598 miles in 2009. I wish I ran 2 more to make it an even 1600, but I didn't realize it til I added all the miles up. I ran 1379 (.4) in 2008, so I did have a mileage increase. Here is what my year looked like:
January: 137
February: 125
March: 168.5
April: 130
May: 93.2
June: 123.2
July: 163.5
August: 168.5
September: 182 (the most EVER!)
October: 76 (marathon + 2 weeks off)
November: 115
December: 115.75
Overall, my year had ups and downs. I was really bummed after the NJ Marathon, and I had my first running injury. I fulfilled a dream with Steamtown when I qualified for Boston. Plus, I had some solid PRs in a variety of distances.
What does 2010 hold? Running wise, I am really not sure. I am not sure what my goals are. I am super psyched to run Boston, but still not thrilled about training for it! I honestly don't know if I can improve my time. I didn't think I was capable of running a 3:37. Plus, I had the goal of BQing to motivate me. Now that I reached that, I am not sure what my goal is. I think I am going to aim for an improvement of any sort, even if it is only 30 seconds! My training will give me more insight as I get further into it.
A big goal is to run a half marathon and smash my current time (1:49). I think I am capable of running sub 1:40, so that is a goal. The problem is that I can't find a good half marathon that suits my time table. I don't like to race when I am training because I am not fast and my legs always feel dead. Boston is April 19th, so the Lehigh Valley Half, and Long Branch Half are too close. There is a half marathon in Annapolis that I have my eye on. It is in June which is appealing. I can still reap the rewards of marathon training without really training for it. I will have to see if Lex and Amy are up for it. Amy says it will be a good come back race for her (post baby), and Lex is up in the air. So we will see. Other than that, there are no other races until fall.
Which brings me to...a fall marathon! I am not sure I am up for another training cycle. I may take a break. I would like to get into a one marathon per year routine, and I would prefer to train in the summer, so I will have to see about a fall marathon. I am not going to decide that now. It will depend on what the rest of my running crew has in mind. I know Amy is eyeing up Steamtown. I feel kinda finished with that race though. The perk is that it is a hometown race, so I don't have to travel. Lex said that Marine Corp is definitely worth doing. Oh well, time will tell.
My goals for other areas of my life (since running isn't my WHOLE life)....again, I am not sure. I just want to maintain what I already have!
Professionally, I am in a good spot. I finished all my graduate work, and my 7th graders are top in the county in reading. I would like our school to maintain our scores or improve.
Financially, we are lucky that we both have good jobs and can afford to do the things we want to do. I would like to continue to save money, yet enjoy life.
Personally, Aaron and I have a very solid relationship, so I am happy on that front. I would like to finish remodeling my home (doubtful). I would like to travel (which I know I will).
Our family has many big events happening: Amy and Tina are having babies, and Shelby is getting married. I have a few good friends, which I am satisfied with. I hope our family continues to be healthy. There is one major very stressful event that has been going on for quite awhile that I don't feel comfortable sharing in blogland, but those close to me know what it is, and I am praying for some resolution on that front. That will go a long way towards making many of us happier and less stressed, so I am hopeful for some resolution (although, I have nothing to do with making that happen).
So happy 2010!
January: 137
February: 125
March: 168.5
April: 130
May: 93.2
June: 123.2
July: 163.5
August: 168.5
September: 182 (the most EVER!)
October: 76 (marathon + 2 weeks off)
November: 115
December: 115.75
Overall, my year had ups and downs. I was really bummed after the NJ Marathon, and I had my first running injury. I fulfilled a dream with Steamtown when I qualified for Boston. Plus, I had some solid PRs in a variety of distances.
What does 2010 hold? Running wise, I am really not sure. I am not sure what my goals are. I am super psyched to run Boston, but still not thrilled about training for it! I honestly don't know if I can improve my time. I didn't think I was capable of running a 3:37. Plus, I had the goal of BQing to motivate me. Now that I reached that, I am not sure what my goal is. I think I am going to aim for an improvement of any sort, even if it is only 30 seconds! My training will give me more insight as I get further into it.
A big goal is to run a half marathon and smash my current time (1:49). I think I am capable of running sub 1:40, so that is a goal. The problem is that I can't find a good half marathon that suits my time table. I don't like to race when I am training because I am not fast and my legs always feel dead. Boston is April 19th, so the Lehigh Valley Half, and Long Branch Half are too close. There is a half marathon in Annapolis that I have my eye on. It is in June which is appealing. I can still reap the rewards of marathon training without really training for it. I will have to see if Lex and Amy are up for it. Amy says it will be a good come back race for her (post baby), and Lex is up in the air. So we will see. Other than that, there are no other races until fall.
Which brings me to...a fall marathon! I am not sure I am up for another training cycle. I may take a break. I would like to get into a one marathon per year routine, and I would prefer to train in the summer, so I will have to see about a fall marathon. I am not going to decide that now. It will depend on what the rest of my running crew has in mind. I know Amy is eyeing up Steamtown. I feel kinda finished with that race though. The perk is that it is a hometown race, so I don't have to travel. Lex said that Marine Corp is definitely worth doing. Oh well, time will tell.
My goals for other areas of my life (since running isn't my WHOLE life)....again, I am not sure. I just want to maintain what I already have!
Professionally, I am in a good spot. I finished all my graduate work, and my 7th graders are top in the county in reading. I would like our school to maintain our scores or improve.
Financially, we are lucky that we both have good jobs and can afford to do the things we want to do. I would like to continue to save money, yet enjoy life.
Personally, Aaron and I have a very solid relationship, so I am happy on that front. I would like to finish remodeling my home (doubtful). I would like to travel (which I know I will).
Our family has many big events happening: Amy and Tina are having babies, and Shelby is getting married. I have a few good friends, which I am satisfied with. I hope our family continues to be healthy. There is one major very stressful event that has been going on for quite awhile that I don't feel comfortable sharing in blogland, but those close to me know what it is, and I am praying for some resolution on that front. That will go a long way towards making many of us happier and less stressed, so I am hopeful for some resolution (although, I have nothing to do with making that happen).
So happy 2010!
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