Thursday, May 6, 2010

Update

I had to go back to work today, boo!  I had a nice three days off to recover from the Relay!  And I really needed it!  I had no idea that I would be wiped out for so many days!  I really didn't start feeling rested until yesterday, but I guess that is what happens when you stay up all weekend and party! LOL!  It was so worth it, though.  And I highly recommend to anyone who is ever considered or been offered a place on a relay team to DO IT!  It is another running experience that is worth it's weight in gold.  I have so many fun memories and so many new experiences that I am so grateful that I had the chance to participate :)

So...I know you all were wondering what my new news was, especially you Tonia!  No, I'm NOT pregnant! Not even close! Ha!  I had mentioned in my prior post about doing the San Francisco Marathon and that I was hoping to make it my BQ goal for the year in July.  Well, after talking it over with several people and really trying to wrap my head around jumping into another marathon training cycle so soon, I have decided that it is probably best for me to take a break.  I will be the first to admit, I am a bit burnt out.  Four weeks, five races and I am done!  I also want my redemption since Boston went so bad and Big Sur wasn't what I was hoping for.  But, even though I want a smooth marathon, I need to be smart about it.  26.2 miles needs to be respected, and if I want to grow, stay injury free and ENJOY running, I need to give myself some time to step back, get back to the reason I run and figure out what I need to BQ again.  The SF course is no joke either.  It's a tough course with a lot of hills.  It tears you up good and if I didn't BQ there I would be devastated again and I don't need to set myself up for failure.  So...I 've decided to stick with the half in SF and aim for my BQ at...

I am very excited about this, as there will be many friends and bloggy peeps down there to race, too!  The second I let myself off the hook for SF I felt a huge weight lifted off my shoulders.  The anxiety in the pit of my stomach was gone and I knew that I had made the right choice.  The marathon is October 17, and I want to give myself a full training cycle of about 18 weeks.  Which means I will be starting my next training cycle in June.  This gives me plenty of time to shake off the last couple of races, get some good base miles in and hit the pavement with this training ready to go.  Plus, it's a bit of a destination race which is always fun. :)

I still have Lake Tahoe Marathon September 26, but this is NOT the course to go out and kill, so I will use it for a good training run and LOVE the hills.  BTW, LB is a FLAT course, my favorite.  And I will still do SF half.  I know that it will mean training in the heat of the summer, but I am a person that needs a schedule so this shouldn't be too bad.  If I complain about the heat, you have my permission to come over and slap me since it is all self inflicted :)

That's about it in running news.  I got in a nice five miler yesterday and some great ab work.  I'm going to attempt to keep my running at 5 days a week until my training starts and then I will see how I do.  I don't do so hot on days that I don't run, I just feel off.  But I was hoping to make it a 5 day a week schedule, but if need be I can add a day just fine.  I joined the YMCA by my house this week since my sister works there.  It's convenient, has a pool and is never crowded.  And best of all, it's free :)  This should be helpful for the summer training.  And work is DEAD.  Which is good and bad.  Nothing really on my plate, but it makes it hard to come and not have really anything to do.  I should enjoy the down time but you can only sit and do so little for so long.  We shouldn't see clients start coming in until at least July so for now it's dead.

So, thank you again to all of you who continue to read and support.  I've had a little hiatus from bloggy land - I really checked out for the last couple of days from everything! (I needed it)  I'm off to catch up with all of you!
Happy Running and Happy Thursday peeps!
P.S. Go and check out Amanda's Great Giveaway at RunToTheFinish - but don't enter, I NEED to win ;)

21 comments:

Katie said...

You sound happy, so this must be a good plan!!! And I've heard LB is an awesome race, so enjoy enjoy enjoy! I think it's smart to take time to recover a bit, you've had a busy racy spring!

Got your note about pups - we would love puppy play dates, too bad you are so far! Right now my mom does puppy love with us via video chatting, she misses Graham so much. Puppy moms are weird!!! :)

Also, email me and I can tell you about bloggy template love cool-ness, if you want! :)

RunToTheFinish said...

you are a crazy racing nut! I love it though because it works for you and suits your style of running.

mmm i wish I had a few days off work...ok i sort of did like a week ago

Anonymous said...

Two day work week - woo hoo!

LAPT said...

Hey, girl! Sounds like a great plan...
My next marathon is also October 17! I'm so excited to be "training along with you!" Even better...maybe you will encourage me to do some actual speedwork, since I need motivation to get that done. :-)

Jo Lynn said...

You have a good plan in the works.
Hope to see you soon! ;)

Tara said...

I've been checked out of bloggy land too, sometimes you need it!

Congrats on your relay and your new marathon. Girl, are you ever going to take a break? You wear me out!!! :) Come see us Colorado folks!

Teamarcia said...

I think you are very wise to give yourself a bit of a breather...you've been a machine for too long!

L.B. said...

With all that talk of LB, my ears were ringing.

I'm happy that you are easing up on the reins. Very smart. I might do the Long Beach half to get CA medal :) so the roles will be reversed from SF.

And what's this madness about SF being a tough course?? Why didn't you tell me before I signed up???

:p

You doing the first or second half?

TMB @ RACING WITH BABES said...

I have been waiting all day for this news! I'll be honest, I was really hoping that you and Ari were getting it going with the whole baby thing! But this works too! I actually saw an ad for that race yesterday and was thinking that I would love to do it. Maybe next year ...

Jess said...

You're a racing fool! Great plan.

Tricia said...

great plan!

Ewa said...

Heard some good things about Long Beach Marathon. People love the organization and the course (FLAT!) - good place to BQ. Another one people love to run for BQ is Sacramento in Dec.
Have fun training.

Heather said...

Exciting fall marathon plans! Sounds like the sense of relief you felt means you made the right choice. :)

ajh said...

Sounds like you have some good plans!

Julianne Chai said...

I was checked out for more than 6 months!! But happy to be back. Oh and I'm going to Boise to visit an old hs friend. Very excited! I think you need to pace me to a BQ later this year!!

Shellyrm ~ just a country runner said...

You are a racing crazy girl! Wow! I am impressed! I think you really do have a good plan in place to be successful.

Sweet on the FREE membership!

MCM Mama said...

Sounds like a great plan, except for that whole training in the summer thing. I'm about to go into my "summer hybernation" here. LOL

X-Country2 said...

You go get 'em! Race machine. :o)

Denise said...

you made such a smart decision. you have been running so much and listening to yourself and not setting yourself up for something that would upset you is the best choice. from now on i might have you make my decisions for me.

Aron said...

this is definitely a smart decision girlie - good job. i think it will totally pay off come october and you will be (and already are) finding that training spark again. cant wait for LB!!

Jill said...

Not sure how I missed this blog, Chica, so sorry. I'm glad you're taking a break, though I will miss you in SF dragging my sorry ass along the last 3 miles, as usual. I have no intentions to run it for more than a harder training run (If I get to run it) but no matter what, it'll be fun that you're there somewhere along the course! And, of course I hope you'll use that little half in CO as prep for Long Beach. Just sayin.... :)
Love ya, girl!!
xo