what 2012 holds

I got into the shower last night after a 5 mile treadmill run and this blog started to write itself.  The main idea behind writing a blog is last year I wanted to documented the final 33 days of my marathon training and this year I want to document my entire 18 week training cycle...which starts next week. I almost didn’t want to write this because I am admitting to myself very early on that this is what I am actually going to do and that this is my goal for the first part of the year.  The tough part is I know what I am in for (and I still want to do it)!

Here is my intention (which keeps me honest): I want to write one blog a week for the duration of my training. Maybe someone reads it, maybe not - but it is out there.   I think that figuring out why running a second 26.2 is important to me will help.  Here are my big 4 reasons:

1. I want to be a healthier and fitter person. Running and eating go hand in hand.  Much of my focus during training is on eating healthy and clean so that I feel good and I can run with energy and clarity.  Less sugar here I come!

2. The sense of accomplishment that I felt crossing the finish line was the most amazing feeling that I have ever experienced. I want to feel that proud again.  What I felt wasn’t just the race day but the fact that I made the training journey to the starting line and that I did it day after day after day…

3. I want to see myself as a strong, beautiful and creative person who strives for my best each day. This isn’t just about running but about being myself – about making time for my artwork; for my family and friends all while living my life to the fullest. 

4. Believing that anything is possible is great way to live your life.  I want this to be always be part of my thinking - pretty simple.

Over the last few months I have worked hard when I have been tired (and it is totally dark out) to keep myself at 4 workouts a week (3 runs | 1 spinning class and two strength training days). I kept thinking “either I can make this hard for myself or I can make it easier” so I try to make it easier.  Right now I weigh about 10 lbs more then my normal weight - that I’m not super happy about, but I can’t really focus on that because it won’t get me anywhere I need to go.  I think that just being more conscious about what I am doing will help me (along with some longer runs coming up). 

I ran a 15K this past Saturday in Staatsburg at part of the Recover from the Holidays 50K.  You could just show up and run whatever you wanted.  I haven’t run more then 6.5 miles in probably two months so I was really psyched that the run went so well and I had more left when we hit our 15K goal.  I wanted to do the 15K just to see where I was at.  This weekend I will do a shorter long run somewhere between 5-7 miles and then next weekend I will shoot for 8 miles.  I have found that only looking at four weeks of training at a time is helpful so I never get overwhelmed with what is to come.  This helps me keep focused on where I am now. 

Here is my plan: March 11^th Celebrate Life Half Marathon, March 24^th Wurtsboro Mountain 30K, May 27^th KeyBank Vermont City Marathon. I need something for April but I am sure something will come up. 

“Most runners run not because they want to live longer, but because they want to live life to the fullest. If you're going to while away the years, it's far better to live them with clear goals and fully alive then in a fog, and I believe running helps you to do that. Exerting yourself to the fullest within your individual limits: that's the essence of running, and a metaphor for life…”
― Haruki Murakami