RRCA Certification

I'm so excited!

This May, I am signed up to nerd out for two full days for my RRCA Coaching Certification. I've been reading endurance running and training books for the last 11 years, so I'm excited to earn some official credentials! I'm also really interested to see what information melds with what I've already learned and what contradicts my current understandings and belief systems regarding training. EEEE!!!

Speaking of coaching, I still have 1-2 spots available for coaching if you are interested in chasing some big goals and dreams. Let me know if you're interested!

Don't Miss a Monday

I know that the phrase "don't miss a Monday" is probably overplayed. It's everywhere, along with "new year, new you." If either motivate you, that's great. If not, that's fine too.

I really like running on Mondays. I try to make my long runs Saturday (weather and work dependent) so I can get in a longer run on Monday. Something about starting the week with some good mileage, really helps me get out the door the rest of the week. Miss a Monday and somehow the entire week is thrown out the window.

During marathon training, I had my med-long runs scheduled for Mondays. So I was running anywhere from 8-12 miles on a Monday. Nice easy miles to kick off the week. Usually Chris joined me, and I was fine going whatever pace was appropriate in the crazy heat we ran in. And it set the tone for the week.

Right now I'm currently in the off season. I had written up a draft of base building/off season, and then decided I really wanted to take a break from a plan until my next training cycle. But I would still like Monday to be a longer run for the week.

The month of December was a struggle for me. We ran the Dallas Half, I recovered, and then it seemed like a slog to get in my mileage for my 2018 goal. And I came up short on my 100 mile month goal for December. As I was logging miles this week, my online log came up to December's calendar.

I skipped every single Monday run.

With the exception of Christmas Eve. When I had the day off. And had a great week of running. Go figure.

So 2018 I focused on consistency with my long run. And it paid off massively. 2019 I shall focus on making sure I have a running buddy for Monday runs to increase my accountability to kick off the week! This has been a Jeri running TED talk. :P

Anxiety Over Goals

Did anyone else have a rough start to 2019 and already has anxiety over your mileage goal for the year? Or is it just me?! I had planned to kick off the year with 9 miles, and then the conditions were atrocious. I managed 6.73 at about a minute per mile slower than I typically run. Wednesday I got in 4.15 miles on the iciest, slickest, scariest conditions I've ever run on. And then I didn't run the rest of the week because I was over the ice and didn't want to fall.

AND I'M SO FAR BEHIND WHERE I SHOULD BE ALREADY.

Ugh.

I know it'll even out once real training kicks off, and one week doesn't make or break a goal, but I really wanted to shoot for ~30 miles per week when I'm not training for races to keep up some quality training. I guess that goal should be modified during weeks of extreme weather. Why do I live in the midwest again??

At least this week is a new week, and so far so good!

2018 Goals Check In

Running

• Run 1400 miles.-- YES, 1401.33.
• Run 100 miles each month.--Womp womp. March and June didn't happen due to some cranky knee issues. December I was so close but some snow storms and crazy cold made it not happen.
• Run a Sub 1:55 half. Nope. Dang it.
• Run a marathon PR. Nope. But not for extreme lack of trying. If you subtract out my bathroom stops, I had it, but who's counting. :P

Life

• Rescue another pug.--I tried really hard to make this work in April and had my heart broken.
• Read 150 books.--Yes!
• Do a check in with a nutritionist to reign in my fueling for BIG RUNNING GOALS.--I need to give Lizzie a call!

Yoga

• Re-establish my meditation practice.--YES! 
• Take 1-2 trainings toward my 500 hour certification. Nope. Running has been my focus 100%.

2019 Goals

Running

• Run 1600 miles.
• Run 100 miles each month.
• Run 200 miles in one month.
• Run a sub 1:55 half.
• Run a Sub 1:52 half.
• Run a sub 4 marathon.
• Run a sub 6:40 mile.
• Run under 51 minutes for the 10k.
• Make at least 1 new running buddy.
• Coach at least 5 runners toward their goals.

Life

• Rescue another pug.
• Read 150 books.

Yoga

• Refocus my meditation practice.
• Work on my handstand.

May in Review

Total Miles:  118.33 miles up from 64.64 miles last month.  70.7 miles last May. 3rd highest May mileage, only behind 2010-2011 aka the years of alllllll the PRs. #progress And that's with a race that I tapered and recovered from. Whoop!

Total Time: 20:06:49 up from 10:28:03. 

Total Runs: 20 runs for an average of 5.92 miles/run.

Highest weekly mileage: 

	4/30/2018 – 5/6/2018: 32.1 mi 5:19:02 9:56 / mi

Most hardcore run: 10 miles in 93 degrees. Mental toughness and heat training at its finest. Or my 12 mile long run, solo, with a dead iPod in 98% humidity. Uff da. If grandma's is hot, I'm ready for it! (*please don't be hot!!*)

Favorite run: Toni and I had 9 miles worth of interval work on the track. It was hard but it was fun to knock out some hard repeats!

Favorite Race: I suppose I should say Brookings half, but I didn't really enjoy it.

Favorite Jam: I need some new music. What do you have for me?!

2018 Goals

I love me some goals, probably because they go hand in hand with data, and I obviously love me some data. I've been thinking about my goals, specifically running goals and wanted to put them in writing to reference throughout the year.

Running

• Run 1400 miles.
• Run 100 miles each month.
• Run a Sub 1:55 half. 
• Run a marathon PR. (EEPS!)

Life

• Rescue another pug.
• Read 150 books.
• Do a check in with a nutritionist to reign in my fueling for BIG RUNNING GOALS.

Yoga

• Re-establish my meditation practice.
• Take 1-2 trainings toward my 500 hour certificataion.

1000 Mile Celebration

For the first time since 2011, I have cracked the 1,000 mile marker for 2017! I'm so excited. For most of the year, I've been ahead of this goal, especially during the summer when we were piling on the miles.

2009 was the first year I broke 1000 miles with 1020. If I recall correctly, I ran my 1000th mile on my birthday that year on a treadmill at a gym. Pretty anti-climatic. In 2010 I ran my first marathon and hit 1000 miles in the fall, ending with 1365. In 2011, I ran 1333 running 2 marathons in the year but also starting my masters program. In 2012 I just missed 1000 miles, running 920. And then I got seriously burned out from running and haven't hit it since.

UNTIL THIS YEAR!!

When I was calculating out my weekly mileage, I realized I would hit it on a long run with my BRF. And when I texted her to let her know, she said we had to celebrate. Well obvs. We had plans for a post-long run brunch, but those were thwarted when I needed to push back our start time.

So instead we invited the guys along for some BBQ a week or so later.

Cheers to 1000 miles, and to a whole bunch more!

What I'm Loving Right Now: Believe Training Journal

Last fall, I ordered a Believe Training journal prior to starting marathon training (which just didn't ever start). It arrived the week of the Sioux Falls half marathon, and I have absolutely loved journaling in it for the past year. I've always tracked my training online, but that's typically time, distance, pace, what shoes worn. The journal allows me space to include how the run felt and anything else of note.



I also love using it to track my recovery practices. I would never log my core work, or foam rolling, epsom baths, massages, etc. But instead of having a big ol' REST written on a day, I enjoy writing down my recovery practices. It also helps remind me that on days off I can still do a lot to make my running stronger.

Prior to this year's Sioux Falls half, I went through the journal from start to finish (well almost, I made it until June before Kyle got bored and wanted attention) reviewing my goals, both short term and long term, and seeing how much my running has progressed over the last year was really inspiring. I have some BIG goals for running, some may say crazy or impossible, but having a big long-term goal makes it easier to put in the small work day-to-day. I know I'm still a couple of training cycles away from PR shape, and that would be really defeating to deal with if I wasn't working toward longer term goals.



To see my progress from one year of working really hard has been a lot of fun, and I can't wait to look back a year from now to see that continued progress.

I bought a new journal last winter, because I found the Compete one on sale, I picked up a couple of the other ones for gifts for running friends, and I just dug mine out, as I knew mine would be running out because I've been using it for a year. When I flipped to the end of my journal, I discovered that the very last entry day is October 1, the day of the Twin Cities 10 Mile.

That couldn't have worked out any better.

2014 By the Numbers 1,115.5

I apparently didn't do this post for 2013, but here it is, revitalized for 2014!

Miles ran:  698.1

Miles away from my goal:  0. I didn't actually set up, just that it'd be more than 2013, and it was! Despite taking most of the year off after the Bemidji Marathon.

Miles away from last year's mileage:+98.1
  

Miles per week average: 13.43

Miles per month average:  58.18

Total number of runs: 111

Miles per run average:  6.29

Time spent running:  about 4.5 days

Marathons: 1

Times I dropped from the full to a half after registering:  0!

Half Marathons: 6

10 mile: 0

10K: 1

5 mile:  0

5K: 2

3k: 1 (accidentally)

1 mile:  0

PRs accomplished:  1.  Auto PR whoop whoop!

Pairs of shoes purchased: ?? No clue. I've been stop piling shoes for years now, so I'm not sure which ones were actually purchased this year.

Hotel nights booked:  5

Flights taken:  1

Race road trips taken:  5  

Number of runners met: 7-- a group of gals at group runs for 605 Running Co and Janna who I was literally running into at races and group runs all over the place! AND Kristin in NYC!

People I'm still bummed I didn't meet: I don't think I had any missed opportunities.

Runner BFF Race Weekend Reunions:  0. Not acceptable.

States crossed off my "run a race in every state" list: 1. New York.

Awesome Race Photos garnered:  2--Only a couple from Bemidji, but they were FREE which was awesome. My mom snagged lots of good ones though!

Dear God I can't believe you'd post those race pics on the internet:  0... that I can remember. No since in digging and proving myself wrong.

Cute boys encountered on the bike trail:  0.

Number of marathons I wanted to DNF halfway through: 1 of 1.

Number of times I was proud of my racing efforts:  5 out of 10. Not bad.

Number of times Kyle ran with me:  0

Number of times my mom ran with me while I was racing: 2! 

Miles biked:  145

Hours of yoga classes attended: 33

Hours of barre classes attended:  4

New Running Plan

This week I could have been spotted sitting on my couch, rubbing my hands together in glee as I scour the interwebz for the perfect half marathon training program. Did I mention this yet? Spring will be half HEAVY. Like, all of the halfs. ALL.OF.THEM. Anywhosits, I started looking for a training program to start up pretty soon, because I tend to fall off the wagon otherwise, but then I started to realize that would mean I was training for the first half marathon of the spring for 16 STRAIGHT WEEKS. News flash: 18 weeks almost killed me when training for 26.2.

Hmmm.

I've had three non-race running goals in the back of my head for the last couple of years, so I started tossing those ideas around.

• 1 month running streak
• 60 mile week, 6x10 mile days (I don't know why this sounds so "fun" but it does!)
• 1 mile time trial

Well, a running streak doesn't sound like much fun at the moment, and I know that it usually takes me a month to recover fully from the marathon, and I need to have rest days as options if necessary.

It will take me quite awhile to work up to a 60 mile week, and it doesn't make sense to attempt six, ten mile runs during our time of year with the least amount of light. I do think I can factor this in to my spring training session though! Hopefully....

Which leads me with the time trial! "Back in the day" I was a miler before I became a sprinter, and I loved the mile. I think my best time was a 6:07 or a 6:17. Since then I've raced one mile a couple of years ago at the end of a 5 mile, 5k, 1 mile challenge. I was wiped and came in at 7:14 on a very downhill course. Hmm....

Time trial it is! I plan to keep my weekly mileage in the 20-30 mpw range and reintroduce speedwork back in to my training! I think a short term speedy goal will help me get excited about the speedwork. Plus, if winter rears its ugly head, I can always do a treadmill time trial if absolutely necessary (although I really don't want to).

Even better than a one mile time trial, is

a 30th birthday mile time trial!

Might as well start off my 30s with my fastest mile so far!

I might try to convince some friends to join me (especially if the weather is nice enough to do it outside!), although most people are probably stuck working the day after Christmas (womp womp), but they'd have to let me win! jk. kinda.

2012 Goals

I prefer goals to resolutions, and I've been sitting on this post for a little while to make sure I'm not forgetting anything, but finally here are my goals for 2012.

Running

• Run a sub-4 marathon.
• Run 200 miles in a month.
• Run 1500 miles for the year.
• Run a sub 1:50 half marathon.
• Break 49 in a 10k.
• Finally nab the 22:xx 5k.
• Run 100 miles in each month.  Surprisingly tough. I always end up under in December.

**see right.... oh hai failed time goals for 2010 annnnnnd 2011.... uff**

Fitness

• For the love of God develop a weight routine.  Even if that means getting a personal trainer for a session or two.  
• Practice yoga more. Attend all the studios in town so you don't have that "first timer fear" holding you back from going when you have time and gift certificates to attend!
• Remember to do core work outside of bikini season.  It'll make you a stronger runner.
• Remember your daily vitamins...uh...daily.

Brain

• Maintain a 4.0 for grad school.
• Don't get overwhelmed by the stress of school (particularly spring 2012 and summer 2012, as I've been told they're intense). Continue to be thrilled that you're following your dream.
• Read 52 books.  I read 61 in 2011, but I was only in school for 4 months.  I think one a week is a tough enough goal with that factored in.
• Don't let my "to-read" list on goodreads exceed 200 books.  It's currently at 170ish.  So I need to finish at roughly the same rate as I add them to that list.
• Don't start anymore book series until the currently started ones are completed:  Pretty Little Liars (7/11), Dexter (1/5), Sookie Stackhouse (7/11), Uglies (3/4), Matched (2/3), Divergent (1/3).

Personal

• Keep a more organized and tidy apartment to further ready myself for future pug bestie(s).
• Keep plugging away at the 101 in 1001 project.
• Complete Project 365.
• Plan a fall 2013 graduation vacation present and start setting aside $$ for it asap.  I'm toggling between the Athens Marathon or the Goofy Challenge.  Quite the difference, I know.
• Man up and get your wisdom teeth removed.  (eep!)

_______________

First run of marathon training last night; 8 miles with 4 at tempo pace.  Knocked out the tempo miles in 8:32, 8:14, 8:13, 7:55.  Sadly I think this many have been one of my last "yayzies I'm wearing shorts in the winter time" runs.  The cold and snow and winds a'comin'.  Drat.

2011 Goals: Win, Lose, or Draw?

I, along with the rest of the blog world, threw out some lofty goals a mere 365-ish days ago.  Some were a bust, and some were a giant win.  Shall we take a gander?


Running and Fitness

• Break 4 hours in the marathon

FAIL.  But not for lack of trying.  2012 will be there year for this.

• Run a sub 1:50 half marathon

Close but no cigar.  Like 57 seconds close.  But honestly, I could not have ran a stitch faster than I did that day.  I dry heaved for about 8 minutes after crossing the finish line, if that's any indicator.

• Run a 5k in 22:xx

FAIL. Again.  I was somewhat close on this, but it was on a short course.  I also only raced one 5k this year.  What the heck?  who am I?

• Become a mentally tough runner

I count this one as a win.  I had a couple of races this year that I wanted to give up on for pain/injuries/potential diarrheal explosions on the race course (Fargo half food poisoning, I'm looking at you here...), but didn't.  But there's still plenty of room for improvement!

• Practice yoga more regularly (either alone or at a studio)

Fail. Although I have bought some groupons and fitness class passes to make this a go for 2012.  Baby steps, obvs.

• Find new running buddies!

Success!  I ran with a running group a couple of times and went on some running dates with Dailymile friends.  

• Stay injury free

Fail.  Better luck next year!

• Run 1600 miles for the year

Holy crap, this was my goal?  Way fail.  I think halfway through the year I settled on 1400, and I didn't even swing that.

• Lift regularly (regularly is a loose term here FYI)

Fail of epic proportions.  Although I have asked Kyle to come with me to the gym to help me get a weight routine going.  I've also toyed with doing a personal training session or two with the trainer at my gym who runs marathons and does tris.  Baby steps.  Again.

Personal Goals

• Get in to a Master's program for Library Science

Success!  Roll Tide Roll!

• Join a book club 

Success!  I attended a few put on by the public library.  And then my work schedule switched to two nights a week and my class schedule was the other two nights.  Maybe by the time I'm done with school I can be leading the book clubs. ;)

• Join a Stitch and Bitch group 

Fail. Again the local group met on my work night.  Bummer.

• Continue to find fun crafty ways to utilize my creative side 

Fail.  All my limited free time is taken up by running and reading.  Crafting will have to wait another 5 semesters.  That's ok with me.

• No more truck driver mouth (no offense to any (?) truck drivers who may read my blog)

I'd say I'm better with this.  It tends to flair up after I hang out with Jenn.  ;)

• Take more photos (rekindle photo project:  Project 52!)

WIN!  All done!  (Once I post the last few pics to my blog!)

• Average more scarf sales per month than in 2010

Fail.  Although I rarely advertised because I had so little time to crochet.

• Live and love life

One of the best years ever.  Major success!

So what did we learn here?  Anything running related, I bombed at, and anything that enhanced me as an individual I succeeded.  Hmm... ok then.  Here's to 2012!