We are 4 days into the year and I have almost recovered from my marathon 32 days ago. I am itching to start working towards 2018 goals but I am trying as patiently as possible to respect the healing process & time that my body needs.
Yesterday Becki and I defined what I want to work towards this year and I am so excited for what we feel I am capable of right now!! That said, I do want to stay present with the work I put in each day, recognizing the day’s purpose and not getting too caught up in the goal itself… Each workout & run represents one board that will eventually build the boat I use to sail towards my dreamy sunset. If I make it there quickly -AWESOME – and if I spring a leak during the voyage, I’ll salvage what I can to get as far as possible on that journey, while using the mending process as a learning for later.
Although we are working towards a number, I understand that I could come in faster or more conservative based on the ebb and flow of how my body reacts to stress or training. This mindset has helped keep pressure off on race day, but still drives the hunger for specific results to keep me moving.
This year I will be running both trails and roads, but using the trail to build up endurance and cross training. My trail races on the calendar will be used as long runs, knowing my focus will be to speed up on the roads.
Alright, so here they are…
2018 RACE Goals:
5K: Sub 20 minute 5K
Reasoning/Plan: If I can run sub 7 minute miles at the end of a training run during a half marathon, I should be able to belt out a fast 5K either late winter/early spring… This will also help lay the groundwork for training as I build up speed for my half marathon.
TBD on the race but looking at February or early March
1/2 Marathon: Part 1) 1:33-1:35 Part 2) 1:30-1:32
Reasoning/Plan: I ran 3 solid half marathons last year, each getting faster, with the last during a marathon training block. We felt I could hit a sub 1:35 during the last 1/2 marathon but didn’t want to sacrifice the marathon as a result. Now with a two part plan, I feel armed and ready to battle it out!
Marathon: 3:15-3:19
Reasoning/Plan: CIM was AWESOME, but I truly felt ready for 3:22… Becki told me a few times to dream of a sub 3:20 and it could happen given the right day… Honestly, everything went according to plan, though the stretch goal was to negative split and move faster in the last 5K – 10K… We now have 10 months to build more speed and endurance so this can happen in 2018!! And in the process, the 5K + 1/2 marathon(s) should lay a solid foundation for making the pain cave feel like home.
Currently on the Calendar:
January Orcas 25K:
Goal: Fun Run – This will be used as a long endurance fun run, though given the vert (+4K ft of climbing), I assume the fun will be the beer and pizza at the finish line.
March 31st: Hop Hop Half
Goal: 1:33-1:35 – Hoping to execute part one of the plan.
April 29th: Tillamook Burn 20 Mile Trail Race
Goal: Training run for Ragnar ultra trail team + bonus of hanging with R.A.N (girl gang) & Territory runners.
May 11 & 12: Ragnar Ultra Trails ZION
Goal: Have all the fun & don’t get injured or dehydrated at altitude during the accumulative 28 miles.
June/July: TBD RACE
Goal: Looking for additional 1/2 marathon to nail down the 1/2 A goal of 1:30-1:32
August 3rd & 4th: Cascade Lakes Ultra Team
Goal: Enjoy running 34 miles & celebrate EM’s engagement all weekend! Use this for long run & speed work going into TC Marathon training.
October 7th: TWIN CITIES MARATHON
GOAL: Victory lap in my hometown, see my mom at the finish line, hug my dad with every ounce of joy I have, keep my eyes peeled for Tim on his bike, and run a 3:15-3:19 marathon because I am GD capable of doing so.
Other fun stuff…
- Spring Coaching GOTR – March-May w/ prep work starting in February
- Debating on June RRCA Coaching Certification
- Continue to organize Territory Run Co. community events and runs
- More travel, more running, more prehab work
- Actual meal planning each week — Budget friendly and SO MUCH easier to eat healthy when the food is already made… because as a starving runner, I do not always make the best decisions (IE Fueling with choc. pretzels before my run today…oops!!).
- More reading!!
… here we go!
stöðugleiki 