setbacks.

This week has been a frustrating running week. I graciously accepted the baby's cold and have been fighting it all week, hoping it doesn't turn into my annual sinus infection.

Tuesday's run went relatively well but on Thursday I had to cut my five miler short (ran 3.77) and didn't come anywhere close to the needed splits. Then on Friday I didn't even make it out to run because I felt so lousy.

Today (Saturday) is an off day and then tomorrow is the long run for the week.

8 miles. Eeek.

I am beginning to feel better during the days, but am still super congested and wake up with a sore throat every morning. I am going to run 8 miles tomorrow. Period. No matter how slow, no matter how many goal splits I miss.

I am so disappointed that I couldn't finish that five miler earlier this week. I've decided that's it. No more quitting. Stubborn is my strategy. Genius, I know.

(And for the record, yes I know. 'You've been sick! Rest is what you need. It's okay.' Blah, Blah Blah. I know I did the right thing my cutting one run short and skipping the other. I did need the rest. That makes it no less frustrating.)

Setbacks.

How do you handle them? What are your strategies for getting around/thru those inevitable setbacks in life? Are they frustrating or a welcome break? Are they a necessary evil for later improvement? 

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.