On consistency... and the most magical place on earth

4 races, 4 days.  Also known as the Dopey Challenge.  A 5K on Thursday, a 10K on Friday, a half on Saturday, and a full on Sunday.  Disney races sell out the day they open up so I registered for this madness months ago, when I was in very good running shape.  After NYC,  I was feeling quite "over" distance running, and found myself cutting a lot of my weekend runs short.  I also continued to skip my weekday runs as well.  So as Goofy approached, I considered sitting this one out.  I knew I could do the 5K, 10K, and half.  But I imagined the full would be nothing short of terrible and decided it was ok not to run it at all.  I decided to make a game time decision.  And of course I decided to stick it out.

The irony in running like an idiot is that it's all about running smart.  I ran all of the races very conservatively, and I think that is 100% of the reason I had the most fun I've had in a long time.  It was the full I was really worried about, and so I decided to run intervals, 10 minutes of running, 1 minute of walking.  I did this for about 18 miles before I started hurting and switched to 4:45 running, 30 s walking (or something like that; math 20 miles in really helps the minutes pass by since every calculation takes 10x as long as it normally would).  I was just past mile 21 when I started to really hit a mental wall.  And then I saw my friend, Liz (we ran many races together in NYC, so it was a special reunion)!  She started in an earlier corral so I wasn't looking for her, but somehow we found each other!  A Godsend!  We ran intervals together until mile 25 and then darted to the finish!  I have never finished a race with a friend, and I must say it was such a special kind of fun, lol.  Somehow I ran this one faster than NYC (though still quite far off my PR, as expected), and I enjoyed it!  Disney races are ridiculously expensive but I will definitely do this series of crazy again.  And again.

Me and Liz after the marathon!

Speaking of doing things again, on Friday I realized I had completed my 4th week of consistent gym time.  I try to go MWF, but sometimes (usually) my running interferes or my work brain interferes, or whatever interferes, and I don't quite make it one of those days.  This semester I teach MWF, so I am usually cramming to get my lectures together those mornings and I miss the gym.  But I decided that if I miss the morning class I will go to the evening class, and that has been working really well for me.  I would venture to say that I like working out at night.  Everything about it except getting there lol.  But I've been consistent and that is my overarching goal in everything I do.  I actually hit 5 reps for 233 on my deadlift (less than a year ago I couldn't get 225 for 1 rep), and I know if I just stay consistent, the PRs will keep coming.  The challenge is to get my running consistent too, at the same time.  My run group meets at 4:30 am on T Th during the week, so I missed most of those runs last semester since those were my teaching days.  Now I really have no excuse.  Nutrition does become really important with this level of activity (and simultaneously keeping my job), so I'm working on that too.  I've definitely been binging on sugar lately, so there is a fast in my near future :'(.  Anyway, I know the weekday running will really help my times.  The interval running (and inconsistency) got me used to running slower last semester, but the weekday workouts are speedwork and it's definitely helping me pick things back up .  I also jumped up a pace group and not only do we run faster on the long runs (we ran 10 at about a 9:30 pace on Saturday!), we do not run intervals.  I think all of these things combined spell potential for some very good races.  Specifically I'm (again) aiming to break 2:00 in my half.  The difference is I'm doing something (a lot of things) toward that goal (and focusing on it; I'm not marathon training).  My first attempt will be March 26, the last day of my 20s :).  Wouldn't that be a way to say farewell!  No pressure though lol.  Happy training/lifting/running and wishing you consistency in all that you do!  And happy Valentines Day.  Love.

Oh, also I got a dog...

My future running buddy, Schwester Em

2016

Yesterday I discovered this little gem: 2016 in 2016.  It equates to about 38 miles a week (aggressive) and so I decided that no, this wasn't a very realistic goal given my new work schedule and hot hot weather always.  I went for a run in the afternoon just to start the year off right, and couldn't stop thinking about it.  What a crazy endeavor, but what if I actually did it??  I am all about realistic goals, but I also know that sometimes the impossible is actually very possible with enough determination.  I posted some of these musings online, and to my delight an old running buddy in Austin asked if I wanted to partner with her.  Heck yeah I did!  And we've already knocked out 15 miles.  I'm so so excited about this.  Tackling the goal, and having a built in buddy to do it with.

I've yet to sit down and really organize my thoughts for the new year, but I'll share some of the fitness related goals floating around in my head.  I'm beginning year two as a skirt sports ambassador (I didn't get fired!), and I want to make sure I take the time to prioritize some of the responsibilities that entails, blogging more regularly in particular (20% off code: SSJBS20).  I'd also like to get my running back on track.  I ran throughout the year but not enough mileage during the weeks once I moved to Florida.  My marathons have been slow and my PRE has been high high high on most of my runs.  Both of these goals fit into a larger one to have more order in my life.  It's hard to worry about anything else with my new job (professor- you cannot imagine how much effort goes into teaching 3 hours each week), but I am determined to find a way to balance it all a little bit better this year.  The heat and work induced exhaustion pose additional mental (and physical) challenges to getting out the door, but in the end these things are all excuses and when we want to do something we just get them done.  I'm taking some time (~5 months) from distance running.  I want to focus on running shorter distances faster.  I did PR my 10K last year (I'm not sure I even ran a 5K, and did not PR- or really do anything to ensure I PRd- my half).  So I will definitely sign up for some 5K-halfs, and a big goal is to run a sub 2:00 half.  I know it's doable with a plan and commitment.  I was fairly consistent with my Crossfitting and will continue that.  I will continue just 3x a week for now for purposes of my financial and running goals (and sanity?) but I will likely throw in a lifting class since my Saturdays will be freed up from the long runs.  What else... I'd like to knock out double unders (before the open?) and pull ups (ever).  And there we have it, 2016 goals.  I'll check in after the first third of the year (RIGHT AFTER I TURN 30 :D) to see if I'm on track.

Have a wonderful 2016 (and sign up for Run the Year lol.  The facebook group is awesome and worth it in itself! I found a guy that's on a 540 day running streak, complete with a photo and screenshot of the route from each run).