2015 Goals- Update March

2015 Goals: 

1. Run and/or walk 1702 miles- as of 3/31/15 I am at a total of 429.87 miles, which is 25.23% of my goal.

2. Bike 5000 minutes on the stationary bike- as of 3/31/15 I am at a total of 1,305 miles, which is 26.10% of my goal.

3. Half Marathon PR- I ran the Chesebro Half Marathon on March 28th. I went out with zero intentions to PR, as the race was 2 weeks after the LA Marathon as well as the fact that the race was mostly on trails and I am not a trail runner. In order to reach this goal I am going to have to put in some serious effort on speed training. My current PR is around 2 hours 33 minutes, so my goal time is 2:30. In order to reach that I will have to maintain a 11:30 or less mile for all 13 miles. My current fastest is around 12:30 and I can't maintain that. Time to train!!

4. Full Marathon PR- Done!!!

5. Complete Tracy's Dose of Dopey- Done!!!

6. Complete Body Revolution- still scheduled to begin July 6th. 

7. Work on getting out of credit card debt- Patrick and I were eligible for bonuses and received them the middle of this month. We decided to put a little away for some house projects we want to get started on and the rest went towards debt.

8. Volunteer at a nearby race- my request to volunteer in August has been emailed! I am hoping to volunteer at a water station. 

9. Read at least 24 books- as of  3/31/15 I have completed 7 books and am 29% towards my goal. I am also 3% done with book #8. 

10. Weigh less on 12/31/15 than I did on 12/31/14, have less body fat- my March weigh in definitely made this goal just slightly more difficult to reach, but I know that if I put my mind to it then I can make it happen!

LA Marathon 2015- Race Recap

I have been trying to think of the "right" words to describe the race yesterday, but there are no right words. The words that come to mind are hot, humid and amazing..

I have never been very good at recapping a race because by the time I get home I'm too exhausted to do anything and by the next day I've forgotten everything I thought about along the course. I need to remember to start recording my thoughts during the race..

I won't bore you with the details, not just because I can't remember what happened at what mile, but because it really wasn't that eventful of a race, other than the fact that it was the best marathon I have run to date. And not just because I (SPOILER ALERT) PR'd, but because it seemed to go by really fast.

So, instead of trying to rack my exhausted post marathon brain more than I already have today while at work, I will instead highlight what I remember from the course.

1. I forgot to put on sunscreen before I left the house. We got up early and left at 4:30 to drive to Dodger Stadium. On the way there I remembered the one thing I forgot to do that morning. With high temperatures in the near future I panicked a little because I did not want or need a sunburn. Thankfully, while sitting at the start I saw someone putting on sunscreen and asked for some. He explained that last year he forgot to bring sunscreen and someone helped him out, so he was paying it forward by bringing a bottle to the start, which he would then leave at the start, but he wanted to share with other runners if needed. It is now my turn to pay it forward..

2. It never fails to see a group of men standing on the hill as you exit Dodger Stadium using said hill as their personal restroom. Because, apparently, the hundreds of porto-potties are not enough. It's hilarious and frustrating at the same time, mostly because it also never fails that I have that urge around mile one and can't simply go to the hill.

3. My mom text me around mile 4. It was already warm out, but not nearly as bad as I was anticipating. She asked me to text her at every mile, and for whatever reason the miles were flying by and it felt like I was texting her a lot. She kept telling me that I was rocking it and to be careful. I love how much she cares.

4. I also consistently text Patrick, my sister and my best friend along the way.

5. My sister text me around 9:30 asking how I was doing. I told her I was at mile 11 and she asked if I could see the El Capitan theater. I didn't think anything of it and told her I was approaching Highland. Little did I know that she and my niece had come out to cheer me on. I passed by as she recorded me. I yelled out "What are you doing here??", grabbed the bag of pretzels she brought for me and went on my way. I later text her how much it meant to me that she had shown up to support me, but I regret not saying it to them when I was there. I guess the finish line was calling my name at that point and I wasn't all there mentally. However, it meant more to me than words can ever express. Seeing her there to support me and the hobby that she introduced me to really gave me an extra push and I am forever grateful for her.

6. Spectators and volunteers are amazing. High fives from random strangers and people cheering for you that you have never met before can help when you aren't physically or mentally there to keep pushing forward. Little acts such as calling out what was on my running shirt (Run Free) or giving out handfuls of ice were amazing acts of kindness that will not be forgotten. At some point I need to be a spectator and will hopefully be volunteering soon!

7. Running by the Veterans Hospital is a very special experience because of how important it is. This is not forgotten as I complain about the heat during this very unshaded part of the course that had me doubting myself and my ability to finish.

8. I really thought I would hit my wall at mile 17, like I did last year. Instead I feel as though I didn't quite hit a wall, but had some mental toughness to break through between miles 20-23 with the heat. The people spraying us with hoses and providing ice helped cool me down and I continued to stay as hydrated as I could through each water station.

9. Turning onto Ocean Avenue is quite an experience. You're almost to mile 26, but you can't quite see the finish line yet. There are a ton of spectators as you approach the finish and they are all cheering. It's such an incredible feeling to know you are so close to being done and to think back to what you just did.

10. Walking another half mile or more after finishing 26.2 (or 26.57 per my watch) miles is NOT enjoyable. I understand your body needs to keep moving, but it's so ready to stop that at some point you are sure you're just going to forget how to walk.

I knew that in order to PR I would need to maintain 13:20 minute miles consistently throughout the entire race. I had told myself last week to back off the idea of a PR and to just run the race at a comfortable pace, but Saturday night I decided that if that comfortable pace happened to be at or under 13:20 then I wouldn't be holding back and I would attempt for the PR. I knew pretty early on that if I was able to continue the way I was going then I would definitely achieve the PR and reach the goal of a finishing time of 5:50 or earlier. Either I was wearing lucky clothes or the stars were aligned, or the 45:1 pace pushed me, or something...

M1- 13:01

M2- 12:46

M3- 13:07

M4- 12:46

M5- 13:17

M6- 13:07

M7- 12:50

M8- 12:39

M9- 12:47

M10- 12:53

M11- 12:45

M12- 13:07

M13- 13:00

M14- 12:48

M15- 12:58

M16- 12:54

M17- 13:06

M18- 12:59

M19- 13:05

M20- 13:20

M21- 13:08

M22- 13:27

M23- 13:44

M24- 13:47

M25- 13:28

M26- 13:11

Total distance- 26.57

Total time- 5:47:19

Avg pace- 13:04

I finished my watch and text my family that I had finished when my sister text me back with the following: 

I didn't know before the race that she had been tracking me, but she had text me at the 30K point with my estimated finish time and average pace. It was a good push to see what I could do. At the 30K point my estimated finish time was 5:44:15 and my pace was 13:08. I'm pretty impressed that I was pretty darn close to that estimation, considering I slowed down a bit between miles 22-25.

Overall, I have to say that I'm really glad I chose to complete this marathon even though my motivation wavered for a bit. I had told myself that if I PR'd at the LA Marathon then I wouldn't have to do either of the upcoming marathons I had signed up for if the training proved to suck the fun out of running again.

Training for this race really made me realize that my distance is a half marathon. It's a lot less of a commitment when it comes to training and a lot less time away from my family. It's also a lot easier on my body.

I am still riding the runners high from yesterday, so no decisions will be made in the near future regarding the Mountains 2 Beach Marathon in May or the Santa Barbara Veterans Day Marathon in November. I have made no decisions on either of them and do not plan to make any decisions until much closer to race day. Just knowing the pressure is off regarding speed/pace and the fact that I am not committing to them 100% makes it easier to imagine myself completing them, just on my own standards. It feels doable and enjoyable.

I'm looking forward to seeing pictures from the race and I really hope that they got a good shot at the finish line. I know they have photographers at the finish line, but with 22,333 finishers it's difficult to get everyone. Here's hoping there's at least one good shot from some point in the race.

Today will be a "rest" day. No planned workouts, however I do want to spend a short amount of time working my muscles on the treadmill at a SLOW pace as well as a short amount of time on an easy setting on the stationary bike. Just to keep moving and not allow my legs to stiffen up as they tend to do when I sit all day at work.

And in 12 short days I will be participating in the Chesebro Half Marathon. I promise to not attempt a PR on this one..

My Game Plan for Sunday

I had originally planned to go out Sunday with the hopes of a PR. 5 hours 50 minutes was my goal. 13:20 pace. It would be a push to attempt for 26.2 miles, but felt doable. I at least wanted to try.

Then I checked the weather forecast and it showed a high of 91* for Sunday.. 

It has since gone down to 86*, but the weather advisory is still in place:

Record breaking heat.. Not ideal running weather. 

Thankfully the marathon committee is making some changes- including an earlier start time, cooling buses along the course and additional supplies along the course- to name a few. There will be medics at every even mile starting at mile 6 and ice will be provided along the course to help cool off. 

Their email suggests not going out fast, but instead to enjoy the course and take your time. Not what I had originally planned, but a much better idea considering the heat. 

New goal? Finish. 

Game plan? Attempt the 45:1 intervals at a slow and steady pace. Use this race as a training run for my marathon in May. Walk every single water station, no matter what. Stay fueled and hydrated. Do not be stubborn if I feel overheated or dizzy, there is no shame in a DNF. Be proud of myself for showing up to the start line.

I had wanted to PR at this race so that I didn't feel obligated to run the next two marathons if I wasn't feeling up to it. But clearly I am meant to run at least one of them. 

PR or not, I'm proud of myself.

One Week

And with that, I am officially in self doubt/freak out mode.. 

I do this before every race. I psyche myself out and think of all the things I should have done during training. I think of all the strength training workouts I skipped, I think of all the cross training I should have done, I think of all the miles I didn't walk or run. 

But that's not a productive use of my time. So, although I am in the mind set that race day will be here before I know it and freaking out seems like the best solution I am instead going to focus all of that energy on something else.. 

I am in taper mode, so going out and doing all the workouts won't help anything even though that's all I want to do right now (go figure). I took Monday-Thursday off from all workouts completely. Not smart and not something I'm proud of. 

But that changed Friday when I decided to drop Isabel off at school and then run home. 7.06 miles. Then Isabel had a hike yesterday from 10-3 and after running some errands I got back early and went for a walk. 5.22 miles. And finally today. I started with a 4.44 mile walk with my sister and plan on going on both the treadmill and the stationary bike later today. Nothing crazy or too intense, but a way to work on getting those jitters out. 

The countdown has begun and there's nothing I can change or do to slow it down in order to feel more prepared. No matter what happens on race day, it's going to be amazing. I know that much..

Even if the weather report is not helping with the mental side of it all.

Hydrate. Hydrate. Hydrate.

That's all I can do at this point. 

Help!

Stepping Out of my Comfort Zone

I went to Target yesterday to pick something up for my mom. While I was there I saw a girl who was probably around my age, maybe a little younger. 

She was wearing workout clothing- bright shoes, a tank top and running shorts. She looked fantastic and I immediately wished that I could have the confidence to wear running shorts.

First of all, I would like to point out how much my thoughts have changed. In the past, my first thought would have been how much I wish I had her body.. Now, my thoughts are less body related and more confidence based. You see, I love when someone has the confidence to do what they want without answering to anyone else. I may not always agree, but it's not up to me, so you do you!

I've never had that confidence. I've always been too afraid of what people would think or say. Never realizing that their comments were probably not as bad as the ones I was saying to myself. I was always so critical of myself and every single decision I made. 

Back to the shorts.. 

I went to get what I was sent to get and then took the long way back to the registers, the way that brought me by the workout section. Wouldn't you know it? The running shorts were right up front, taunting me, begging me to buy them.

I had a pair of running shorts once upon a time. A pair that I wore once, were too tight in the large size and I came home and cried after my awkward and very uncomfortable run. I swore off shorts, embarrassed by the size of my thighs and butt and filled my drawer with running capris and haven't thought of shorts since. 

Until yesterday. 

I thought to myself, what would be the worst thing? I take them home, they don't fit and I return them? That doesn't seem so bad.. 

It's been a secret dream of mine to have runners legs. Those tight, toned looking legs that you can just tell by looking at them that that person is a runner. I don't, and it's going to take a lot of work to get there, but I will one day. And now I have the shorts to wear when that day comes..

I decided to by the XL shorts with no shame. I'm blessed in that area and I embrace it at this point in my life. 

After having no motivation to workout or run the past four days I made a decision to test out my new shorts after dropping Isabel off at school. I would run the 7 miles from her school back home, wearing the shorts. A small test run to see if I would be able to wear the shorts on race day since it's supposed to be warm out. 

Not once did I think about my thighs and the jiggle in my wiggle. I was too busy pulling the shorts down after each interval. Not the best thing to think about doing for 26.2 miles, so they may not be race day attire, but they were good enough for a shorter run and will be great for walking or biking at home and even for strength training. 

In the past, I would look at a picture of myself from any angle and be able to point out 146 different problems with my body and my appearance.. You know what I see in that picture? Well, besides the photo bombing cat... I see muscles in my legs. It's a start!! 

My goal for the LA Marathon next weekend is to PR. If it happens, great! If not, there's always the next one in May. In order to PR, I would like to finish in 5 hours 50 minutes, meaning I would need to maintain around a 13:20 pace. 

Today I ran 7.06 miles after doing absolutely nothing for 4 days. Add on top of that a constant head wind and I was hurting for the majority of the time. But my pace was pretty close to where it needs to be come race day, so there is hope. 

M1- 13:19

M2- 13:34

M3- 13:27

M4- 13:32

M5- 13:29

M6- 13:19

M7- 13:25

Total distance- 7.06

Total time- 1:34:53

Avg pace- 13:27

Here's to making the next 10 days the best they can be. Healthy eating, a strength workout or two, lots of walking and a short run or two or three.. I suck at tapering! I'm either one extreme (doing nothing for 4 days) or the other (wanting to do it all). It's probably just the endorphins talking, but I'm ready to do this!!

Month to Month Comparison

I decided to take a look back and compare the last two months to see where I improved and where I still need some additional work. These are the results:

Miles

January: 142.19

February: 145.71

Bike Minutes

January: 435

February: 445

Strength Workouts

January: 4

February: 5

Total Steps

January: 435,563

February: 480,718

Longest Run Streak

January: 4 days

February: 2 days

Longest Workout Streak

January: 12 days

February: 13 days

I improved in every area except a running streak (which I'm not working towards, just tracking) and I'm really excited to see the progress. I love seeing the comparison and I hope to get a head start in March so I'm not working on playing catch up all month like I did in February.

I want to improve on strength training. I feel so much better when I am able to strength train at least two days a week, but running trumps strength right now, so strength workouts are usually the first to stop when I get tired or busy. March is going to be difficult, but I can easily get in more than 5 strength training workouts. I'm not looking for a lot more, just more.

2015 Goals- Update February

2015 Goals: 

1. Run and/or walk 1702 miles- as of 2/28/15 I am at a total of 287.90 miles, which is 16.92% of my goal.

2. Bike 5000 minutes on the stationary bike- as of 2/28/15 I am at a total of 880 miles, which is 17.60% of my goal.

3. Half Marathon PR- I have not completed a half marathon race this year other than Dopey and I did not PR, however I am only using actual races towards this goal. My first half this year will be on the 28th and I am not going out to PR since it will be two weeks after the LA Marathon. 

4. Full Marathon PR- I have not completed a full marathon race this year other than Dopey and I did PR by exactly 2 minutes, however I am only using actual races towards this goal. My first marathon will be the 15th of this month and I will be attempting 45:1 intervals. I printed out a pace bracelet, showing exactly what time I need to hit each mile to hit a finishing time of 5 hours 50 minutes, giving me a PR. I will need to maintain a 13:20 pace for the full 26.2 miles. Here's to attempt #1!

5. Complete Tracy's Dose of Dopey- Done!!!

6. Complete Body Revolution- still scheduled to begin July 6th. I am enjoying my strength training three days a week for now and believe it will help me feel strong when I start the 90 day program.

7. Work on getting out of credit card debt- Patrick and I were very fortunate with our tax return this year thanks to our big purchase of 2014. 

We chose to take a small portion (5%) and we each got a little spending money and the remaining amount went towards debt. I'm really proud of us and our choice. This next month we are both eligible and receiving bonuses at work. We're not 100% sure on the total, so we can't plan too much, but we are going to focus a large amount on our debts. I'm in full debt pay off mode and there is no stopping me!! Now if only I could think of some ways to make some extra money without spending time away from Isabel..

8. Volunteer at a nearby race- my request to volunteer in August has been emailed! I am hoping to volunteer at a water station. 

9. Read at least 24 books- as of  2/28/15 I have completed 4 books and am 16.67% towards my goal. I am also  72% done with book #5. 

10. Reach a healthy weight and BMI, have less body fat- this is changing officially to simply weigh less on 12/31/15 than I did on 12/31/14. Progress, no matter the number, will be celebrated. And to be honest, the focus may change even more to be less weight based and more measurement based. Who knows at this point

I spent a good portion of this past month stressing about whether or not I would reach my goal. Stressing to the point that I regretted setting goals at all. But when I gave myself a chance to breathe and focus on how I could reach my goals it became less of a chore and I started to enjoy it again.. A reminder for March to stay focused.