I've been training for a half marathon on 4/24 but I'm questioning why. I'm doing the training plan to a "T" but for some reason I wish I wasn't doing it. I think I'm scared. I also think I'm out of my comfort zone a bit. I like to run long but I'm not good at it.....I'm horribly slow. I hate finishing in the lower 1/2 at a race and I checked last years results for the race I was planning on running on the 24th and 75% of the finishers finished in under 2 hours. That is intimidating. It would be different if there were thousands of entrants but there are less than 1,000. I don't think I can do it. So now I have to adjust my training. I'm shooting for a 20K on 6/5 now. This race has thousands of entrants normally and a lot of first time runners. I can handle this.
After that, I'm planning on a sprint tri in July, another sprint in August, and maybe an Olympic after that. Then it is time for my first full Marathon in October.
I'm starting to think I'm meant to be a triathlete & 5K runner. I usually finish in the top 20% of my age group in these and sometimes I break into the top ten. After I get through the Disney World Goofy next January, I'm going to focus on tri's and really try to get better. I love the environment at tri's. The people are amazing. So encouraging. Hanging out after the race is awesome. I love everything about it. I even secretly like the swim even though always scares the crap out of me and makes me hyperventilate!
This week of training has been pretty good. We did an 11 mile run last Friday night, an hour long bike ride on Saturday, an hour long hike on Sunday, 3 miles easy on Monday, an hour on the indoor trainer yesterday and an 8 mile run today (with 6 at 1/2 marathon goal race pace). The long run was pretty good and the weather was awesome. Today's 8 mile effort was pretty difficult. I ran it on the treadmill and had to stop and take a break 3 times. Once for a bathroom break and the other two because I just wasn't there mentally. I've been eating a Pop Tart prior to my Wednesday run because I did it a few weeks ago and had an amazing run. I haven't been able to replicate that again though & Pop Tarts really aren't very good for you so I think that is going to come to an end.
Tomorrow is supposed to be a rest night and then Friday we will run long because we are headed out of town this weekend.
Made banana bars out of some over ripe bananas tonight. I'm taking them to the ladies at day care - those women are amazing and feeding them a few sweets is the least I can do. The pic below is from Tasteofhome.com. Don't they look good?
Goodnight all....I've attached a few pictures from hiking and such this last week. Take care & keep training!
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Hey BTB!
ReplyDeleteYour little peanut just gets cuter and cuter!
Wow, congrats for really knowing yourself. I think it's a life long process, but it seems like you really know who you are and your limitations. (Personally, I think you'd be just fine in the half that you are on the fence for, but that's my opinion.) You have to do things that are in your comfort zone. I know there are moments when we should step out of them from time to time, but I think you owe yourself a break and you should do what you enjoy doing -- which seems like the tri-scene.
I also loved doing them too, but I don't have a good bike and can't afford one right now, but in the future, when I do have more cash, perhaps I'll do it again. For me, at this moment, marathoning is simply not in my cards right now. I'm just not comfortable trying to squeeze training runs in when I'm still nursing. It was a tough decision, but for now, I'm focusing on shorter distances, particularly the half marathon. I too feel your fear----sometimes even the long run distances for training scare me a little!
As for swimming---yes, I love the swim part of the tri too, but like you, open water swimming makes me hyperventilate!!! hahahahah.
I'm so inspired by your dedication to the sport. Keep it up. And by the way, love your banana cakes. I made banana loaf from my ripe bananas this past Sunday. Martha Stewart's Banana Loaf recipe is great!
Happy trails.