Skip to main content

Rethinking Racing and Training in 2015

If you had asked me what my running and racing plans were for 2015 right after my full marathon at the end of December, I would have told you about races that I had planned.

Funny thing is that I really don't love to race. It makes me a nervous mess, but I keep finding myself going back for more. I tend to want to race the same ones I have done previously as well. Perhaps it's because I've been there, done that and have the t-shirt to prove it.

Last year, my first 2014 race was the River Trail 15K. So, it made sense that it'd be my first race for 2015 as well. The race is this Saturday, however. And I am still in a walking boot. Last year I ended up with an age group placement and a nifty cup. This year, well, I can use the cup at least right?


The 15K was used as more of a training run for me for the Little Rock Half Marathon. I thought it would help me get into the racing mindset, plus I needed the miles of course. The Little Rock Half Marathon was my very first half 5 years ago.


While I have grown to dislike the course, it's become my nemesis race quite frankly, they changed the route this year and I was kind of excited to race it again. The race is March 1. As optimistic as I've tried to be, I imagine I'll be sitting on my porch cheering on runners this year rather than running it myself.

After Little Rock last year, I was banged up and missed the Capital City Classic 10K. That had been my first 10K distance done in 2013. It's a very flat course. Not exactly exciting and not spectator friendly, but a good route nonetheless.

Since I missed out on that 10K last year, I was certain I'd be signed up for that one this year along with the 10K I did actually do last year. It was the inaugural Downtown Dash. I had done very well, setting a nice 10K PR for myself and taking 1st in my age group.


After those races, I wasn't exactly sure of my plans. Because of the full, I was thinking ahead that I may try to find another full to do. Maybe take on the dreaded 5K even. Gasp, did I really say a 5K?

Because of this injury, I'm going to have to really rethink my racing plans and even my training plans. I know that I can't focus on PRs this time around. It'll be changing up my mindset and shooting for a comeback at least. Learning from previous training, figuring out how to regain lost endurance and distance, and doing so smartly.

How have you had to rethink racing and training plans? Did you find that you came back stronger, smarter? 

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

I Run to Feel Alive

Today is National Running Day . Guess what I did this morning? Cycling? Nope. Lifting? Nope. I bet you thought kickboxing right? Nope. Running? But of course! I actually sort of planned my running days this week just so I could participate this year. I didn't get to run last year and didn't even know about it the year before. But running has become such an integral part of my life and who I am, that I couldn't miss this year. Basically, I run to feel alive . It calms me, it helps me work through life, it's often a reason to get out of bed. No matter how tough a run is, it makes you feel ... period. My plan was to get in 5 miles (got in 5.5 actually). It was about 10 degrees warmer this morning and definitely more humid. That always makes for a tougher run. We decided to take a different route today. Well, it was really only a few streets over different, but still. The point is we took a different street. Sometimes that's good, sometimes not. I did realize th...

Love in Photos

In honor of Valentine's Day - Love in Photos Husband Family and Furbabies Friends Even if you're not a fan of Valentine's Day - I hope you have a wonderful day and remember the loves in your life.

Weights, Run, & Road Trip Details

Two on Tuesday This morning my eyes opened wide at 4:55 am. I tried to go back to sleep, but quickly realized I was only fooling myself. So I got up and got my workouts done. Today was leg day with quad focus. Wide-stance squats - 3x8 Rear leg elevated lunges - 3x10 Firewalkers - 8 total Narrow-stance squats - 3x10 Static lunges - 3x10 Squats with low-end pulse - 3x8 Wall squats with ball - 6 reps of squat with 10 sec hold Outer thigh raises with ankle weights on ball - 2x24 We had storms roll through last night, so the temperatures dropped finally. It was 74 this morning, so I decided to take advantage of that and get in a short 20-minute run. When I first started out, I seriously didn't think I was going to get very far. My legs were already yelling at me. But, about half a mile into the run, they loosened up and it felt good. What's the Deal With the Road Trip? I am really glad I got the workouts done early. I feel like I still have so much to do to get ready ...