Running Plans

I didn't make New Year's resolutions this year, really. I mean, there are things I am working on, I feel like we can ALWAYS better ourselves and strive to be more like God's image in every aspect of our lives. But that's an ongoing thing, not a new year's thing. What I DID think about as the new year approached was my plans for running this year. Here's what I came up with:

1. Run at least 15 miles each week, unless I am sick, injured, or following a training plan that calls for a lighter rest/taper week.

2. Run 1,000 miles this year.

3. Run another 5K and beat my best 5K time of 26:57.

4. Run a 10K and beat my best 10K time of 58:45.

5. Run another half marathon and beat my previous half marathon time of 2:17:37.

6. Run a full marathon.

Whew. Sounds like a lot, huh? Well, the 15 miles a week is actually pretty easy for me. I have been running that mileage consistently for the past few months and am very comfortable with it. I actually put in 21 miles this past week and didn't feel like it was too much. As I get more serious about training for a half, and then full, marathon, my mileage will increase even more, allowing me to reach 1,000 miles for the year.

I have already added some races to my schedule. First up is a "virtual" 10K the week of February 14. Organized by one of the women on an online forum I visit, you basically run a 5k or 10k over the course of the week and report back telling the others how you did. It's for anyone -- even just to complete it by walking is great -- just to get active. I look forward to approaching this as a real race and improving my time.

Next up, on April 9 I will be running in my second half marathon, the Garden Spot Village Half Marathon. Now that I already have one half under my belt and know I can do it, I look forward to seeing improvement on my time on this race as well.

Somewhere between April and September I would like to run another race -- maybe another 5K with my brothers in law, if they want to, or another 10K. We will see.

Finally, I haven't signed up just yet, but I am seriously thinking about the Wineglass Marathon in NY on Sunday, October 2. I think once I run the half and see how that goes, I'll make the decision. I would REALLY like to do it, though.

A special thanks to my mom and Doug for sponsoring my half marathon (these things aren't free, unfortunately, do you know that people actually PAY $65 to go run 13.1 miles?) and to my wonderful inlaws for paying for my new running shoes (which, at this rate, will need replacing every 6 months, another thing that is not cheap!) I appreciate the help and support!

My cousin Casey invited everyone on my mom's side of the family to be part of a "5k challenge" this year. I want to extend that to everyone reading this blog. Make it your mission this year to run or walk a 5K (3.1 miles) this year. You don't have to be a runner, and I know that EVERYONE reading this has the ability to walk that distance, or even do a run/walk combo. So start thinking about it. What a great gift to give yourself in the new year!

And that's it from Boomerang Drive!

-- Holly