Weekly Report: December 31 - January 6

Only three runs and almost 18 miles? That tells you a little bit about distance, I guess! While this wasn't a great week, I was very pleased with my long run this weekend. It wasn't my fastest or strongest, but it was the first long run I've ever had where I experienced zero knee pain (and I didn't even wear my brace!), ran it pretty much solo (K and I did the first mile together and she waited for me at the end), and was able to complete the run despite forgetting to take my asthma medicine before I went. Plus, I had no residual muscle stiffness/soreness after, even though I had some (normal) quad soreness toward the end of the run.

I loved every moment of the cool, drippy fog and overcast skies. I had a brief rendezvous with a lamppost to stretch my hips at mile 7.5, but otherwise ran the entire thing keeping my posture in check. (I really wanted to try Chi Running but have no clue what it really is yet, so I was just kind of trying to lean forward from my hip joints instead of my waist, while keeping my torso straight.)

Anyway, fair week. Today was our first day back to work from winter break. The NDN Half is in 13 days. Yikes! Only one long run to go!

I think I'm finally feeling motivated again :o)

ABK

2013 Resolutions...Finally

Nice to get in a good run after I struggled so much earlier this week. Once again I see how much the sun affects me, both mentally and physically. I had a great nighttime tempo run with M, and am officially feeling back on track and ready for 2013. So, without further ado...

I have a very good reason for posting my 2013 new year's resolutions approximately a week late. Studies have shown that you are more likely to keep a resolution if you put time and thought into crafting it. No drunken "I'M GOING TO TRAVEL THE WORLD!" proclamations will do. As such, I usually begin thinking about my resolutions post-Christmas but don't finalize them until the new year has had a chance to set in. That way, I feel ready to let go of the old and welcome the new.

In my goodbye-2012 post, I looked back at my resolutions and summed up how far I'd gotten. I'm mostly pleased with this year's accomplishments, but for some reason I feel let down. Maybe because my last big hurrah of the year was so late in the year - my major goal was set for November, and when I met it, all the wind went out of my sails. That leaves an almost anti-climatic feeling in regard to the final month of 2012, and it's time to shake that. How? Why, by setting in stone (or at least, computer background) the next batch of resolutions!

My 2013 resolutions are detailed this year. I try to steer clear of that because the more detailed I am, the higher my chance of falling short. I like to meet my resolutions…so, the actual goals are numbered; the lettered detail(s) beneath those are my “go the extra mile” goals that I’d like to reach, but I've decided in advance to go easy on myself if I miss them. Seems like I maybe went too in-depth here, but I'm planning to have a really great year to look forward to.

2013 computer background...best way to keep my eye on the prize!

1. This one will be, I think, the hardest. I'm not really in running for speed, and lately I've gotten a lot more out of my relaxed runs than the ones where I'm trying to improve on something. Still, I've been in the 29s for two years now. I'd like to see the 28s.

2. I already have two or three lined up this year, so barring any unforeseen circumstances, this one should be easy. I'm aiming for 2:10, but if I can break 2:10 this year I'd be really pleased. It's much faster than I'm comfortable with, but a fair goal to try for.

3. Same as last year...summer races not included because, of course, when race season ends, it's hard to find actual races. If I can find races in June/July/August, I'll plan to sign up.

4. I think this one is self-explanatory. I'm playing with the idea of running a full marathon either in November 2013 or sometime in 2014, and a super-long-run will help me figure out if I'm feeling ready.

5. This may be the hardest goal to keep. I want to avoid getting bogged down. I love training for races - it keeps me motivated and having fun. Still, I need to focus on where I personally want to see growth and on what makes me a happy runner. And yes, of course I'm not going to give up the blog just because 2012 is over!

(I now realize #5 is the only one I ended with a period. Because this annoys me, I had to share the grammatical error so that I'm not alone in my annoyance. You're welcome.)

So far my 2013 race season looks like this: 

January: Naples Half Marathon
February: FGCU 10k and Edison Festival of Light 5k
March: Hooters Half Marathon, Race for the Cure 5k, and the Fast and the Furriest 5k
April: 10k Run for the Music (Naples)
May: Turtle Trot 5k (Lover's Key)
November: Fort Myers Beach Half (or full) Marathon

(List compiled by K at her resolutions post and stolen by yours truly.)

...Obviously I'm still getting the details worked out. Hey, I can only commit to races that have been set up at this point!

Okay, so that's that. My new year starts...NOW.

ABK

Weekly Report: Dec. 24 - 30

I only got two runs in, which makes sense since this was Christmas-week. Not bad mileage for two measly runs, and this week included my beautiful and calming Christmas morning run.

I was visiting my sister early this week, and needed some time off because of the terrible run I had the other day. A packet of antibiotics later and some time to heal some emotional wounds, and I'm feeling ready for some good running for the remainder of the week. Less than 18 days until my next Half, and I still need to really plan out my resolutions for 2013. Post upcoming on that. Promise!

ABK