One of my favorite things about running is planning my season and creating a training plan. I love the possibilities, the creativity, the progression of workouts and the unknowns. Tomorrow I start my 12 week training plan for the Hampton Half marathon in New Hampshire. My A race will come 3 weeks after, at Quincy Half Marathon. I worked on my training plan yesterday and made same decisions with regard to mileage, long runs, and races along the way. My 19:00 5K predicts a 1:27:XX which seems like a lofty goal now. However, I might be aiming for a bit faster (ha!), because I think that I am in better shape than a 19:00 5K right now, and will get even faster in 12 weeks, assuming all will go well. Will see.
I have been thinking a lot about running goals. I confess that I am a not in the "believe it and it will happen camp". I am more in the "work for it and it may happen camp". However, I do believe in setting lofty goals. I mean, why not? There is no prize to be paid for not meeting a running goal, as long as one is having fun. And I love running and training. So, I decided to work toward running goals without taking myself too seriously and without putting unnecessary expectations on myself. I do what I love to do, how I like to do it, try my best and not stress over the process or results. I am approaching this training cycle with curiosity and excitement to see what this 39 year old body can do. I am seriously considering racing track for a club once I turn 40, so this may be my last HM training cycle for a while.
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10 comments:
I'm in your camp. "Train for it, and it may happen." And lofty goals are good too. I actually don't think a 1:27 is a lofty goal for you though...If I were your coach I'd be training you for a 1:25. Of course, I'm not a coach, so there's that. Anyway, I'm excited to start training again too. :)
Katie, that's what I am going for, 1:25:) Why not?
I usually do the Hampton Half but they have changed the weekend. Good luck with your training!
I am in the "work for it and it may happen but better damn believe it could happen PROVIDED you did the work camp"-ha ha!
I don't think 1:27 is lofty for you at all! It's tough but not lofty. I agree with Katie;) Looking forward to my holy shits in church:)
Love your attitude...such a good place to be. I don't know what camp I'm in...ha ha. Suppose that depends on the day for me. Sometimes I'm in the "meditate on rainbows and butterflies" camp and sometimes I'm in the "work hard AND believe and it might happen" and sometimes I'm just in the "just run because I need endorphins to keep me happy and who cares about anything happening except the running" camp...that's me now. Laughing at Jenn's comment...I'm excited for the holy shits in church too. ha ha. I don't think 1:27 is lofty for you at all. Funny, I already think of you as a 1:25er...I don't even know your PR...I just put you in the "fast friends" category. Go for it!
Fresh starts are good! Just ask me in 3 days and 9 hours.
So... YAY for a half marathon training cycle with 2 half marathons! This will be fun!! While I am excited to see you PR yet again at this distance, I almost look more forward to seeing you do the track club. Which one?? This sounds fun!!
See you are reading the hanson's book. Good read???
Raina - the Hanson's book is good. Makes a lot of sense to me.
The track club is called "Liberty" and it is an all women club. Some of the older women in their 60-70s hold records. Cool stuff.
First off - that track club sounds amazing! Secondly - I struggle to join the believe it and it will happen club - I'm more like you - train and it will happen - but having said that you are building up more confidence in your speed at the moment and I think you are actually more confident about your HM than you are prepared to admit. Which is good - I do that totally - and my lord lady you are fast. Your 39 year old body is awesome and has got plenty more awesome up the road for you - go for it!
I firmly believe in the "train for it and it may happen"....but I like Jenn's philosophy too :). I don't think the reward is as high if you don't put in the work, and if there's one I know who will - it will be you :).
I love the track idea you have, this would be an excellent fit for you!!
Thanks for all your sweet words on my blog and the invaluable email exchanges. I hope this is the right decision...I'm not as tough as I once was so we'll see how this all works out.
Looking forward to following your 12 week journey - will be very exciting :)!
I bet you are in 1:27 shape or better. Once you figure out how to run a 1:25 half, tell me how!
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