Monday, November 8, 2010

ready. set. RUN!

This is it. 10 weeks to go and we are set to begin the RunnersWorld Break 2:00 or Bust plan.

Monday's are typically rest or cross training days so this morning I did some abdominal work and a couple of sets with hand weights, concentrating on arms and shoulders.

It is always quite sobering to pick weights up after a protracted absence. Not to mention the fact that my abs were sliced through so as to surgically remove a baby 4 months ago...

Sobering, yes, but motivating also.

Tomorrow the first run is on the schedule, and the goal is to run 4 miles all at a 10:30 pace. I think with a concentrated effort this is totally within reason. I am currently hanging around in the 10:40-11:00 minute a mile pace, and that is usually with friends while chatting. I think if I can shut my big mouth, I can do 10:30. I guess we will find out in the morning.

Another big focus these next 10 weeks is nutrition. Time to get back on the wagon I suppose and cut out the junk. Again. In some weird way I think this plan will make it easier to do so because it is MUCH more involved. I will not have nearly as many rest/off days in which to feel like I can indulge.

I'm also shifting my focus in another, related area. So let me be perfectly honest for a second. I want/need to lose some weight and tone up. Big. Time. And, although my overall goal has been to finish the half and "don't die" I have also been fairly wrapped up in the "run to lose weight" idea. Yes, I do hope to lose weight while I run, but now I REALLY want to break 2 hours. So that is what I am trying to focus my workouts on.

Get faster. Get more fit. Break 2. Just Do it. (Thanks for that last one Phil Knight. :) )

I am also taking a more serious approach to the training in general. A couple of people close to me have noted that I am perhaps having a "little" too much fun running with friends and if I really am serious about doing this then I need to do less talking and more running. Like one of these people told me, "if you can talk, then you aren't running hard enough." Of course, she's a little hard core, but I think she's got a point too. I still enjoy the company of my Rez Running Buddies, that hasn't changed. Hopefully most of our runs will still be together, but maybe I will do more listening and less yapping!

I guess that means I can just do more talking here and less on the road.

Happy Running.

3 comments:

  1. I am right along with you. It is time to buckle down and do this thing. I don't want to spend all of this time/energy on running only to blow it all with the things I eat.
    I found a simple eating plan to follow & Glenn is going to do it w/me (he just doesn't know it yet:>)
    I ran in shorts and a t-shirt and thought of you this afternoon.....just think next year maybe we can go for a run together....or we could get a whole group of Discovery peeps.

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  2. Hey - instead of having a whole cheat day (or weekend!) I've started having one or two cheat meals a week. It works SO MUCH better and I don't feel like I'm playing catch up for three days afterward.

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  3. Oh man, I don't know how you do it. I can't run down the street for a block without losing my breath! I love to exercise and consider myself a fit person, but geez, I can't run to save my life! You go, girl! ;)

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