Here we are on the last day of April, and I felt like taking a moment to reflect over the first quarter of 2013. I have passed the 400 mile mark in running miles and just switched into my second pair of running shoes for the year on my Sunday run. These first shoes of 2013 ran with me through my easy base running in January, a 4 mile race in February, starting my half marathon training plan beginning in Februrary, a 5K and a 7K in March, around Walt Disney World resort during our spring break trip, and a 10K race this passed Saturday.
The 10K race on Saturday was at St. Charles Community College. They have an annual health fair, 10K, 5K, and fun run. I was pleased to score a new 10K PR (57:45). This is the same race that was my first 10K (and second race ever) just two years ago. At that first 10K, I ran a 1:09. It's so great to see that the hard work has paid off with better finish times. It was raining when my mom and I were getting ready and driving to the race. We were happy when it stopped raining for the start of the race. A cool, cloudy day is just fine for having a good race time. About halfway into the race, it started to spit rain. Then it picked up a bit and we had back and forth between a light rain and rain showers throughout the rest of the race and after the race. My mom ended up finishing with a 1:05 ( last year she ran a 1:07, so she ended up taking 2 minutes of her time for a new PR, too!). She placed 3rd in her age group! We were not initially going to do this race, as we were focused on training for our upcoming half marathon, but after the bombings that occurred in Boston I had a strong desire to compete in a race. I do enjoy this race as I have completed it now 3 years in a row. It also gives me a nice progress indicator to track my improvement, since at that first race I had only been running for 8 weeks! Now after 2 years of running it makes a difference!
I'm just under 2 weeks away from my first half marthon of 2013. Well, I actually ran my own half marathon in training a week and a half ago, but this will be the first "official" half marathon of the year. I am hopeful to get a PR based on the way my training has been going and how I have done in the races so far this year. My mom is going to run the half, also. My dad and my son are going to walk/run the half marathon, too. They plan to mostly walk, but they say they will run some, too. I chose a half marathon that said it was walker friendly (allowing up to a 4 hour time). My dad initially planned to run, but after having to take some time off due to a knee injury (not from running) he was not going to do the half at all until my son decided he would walk it with grandpa. They are training for a Boy Scout hike they will be taking at Philmont Boy Scout Ranch, so they are using this as part of their training. Since there training hikes have been on trail while carrying 40 lb plus backpacks, they should have no problems completing the half.
The two weeks before a race are always a time when I feel nervous. I'm nervous about whether my training will pay off and I will be able to perform to the level I desire. I'm nervous about getting injured and not being able to complete the race after all the effort and training. I'm excited about the trip and the whole experience of the race weekend. I start thinking about what I should wear and checking the forecast daily to see how it is changing as we get closer to the day. At the same time, I try to enjoy the final two weeks of training. There is something magical about completing each workout and checking it off the training plan, knowing I have stuck to my plans and am working toward completing a goal. I enjoy the time I get to spend with family and/or friends who are also training for their own goals. I enjoy the break from the monotony of day to day work and chores, and I aspire to do something that will make a difference in my health and wellness. Also, I begin to look to the "what's next", so I can be ready to set my next goal and start working toward the next race.
This time I'm already scheduled for a second half marathon June 1 and a third half marathon June 16. After completing 3 half marathons last spring, I felt that I had to live up to that same expectation this spring. I guess spring is about being "half crazy". Then in the fall I will go all the way crazy again as I tackle my next full marathon at the end of October. I will most likely sign up for a half Labor Day weekend as my midway through training race toward the full. Who know what else lies ahead for 2013.....I'm thinking some Hot Chocolate, again, but this time in St. Louis (Hot Chocolate 15K in December), but I haven't signed up yet for that. I have to space out my registrations, especially since Dave is not signing up for triatholons, too, and they are a bit pricier than some of the running events.
Looks like I'm beginning to ramble, so I think it's time to sign off. I'll update after my half and report on whether I've reached my goal! Happy running!!
