Goals for 2011...

When I look back over the past year I'm really happy at how I've done:). My running goals for 2010 were...

* Finish a 5K in under 30 mins
* Do a 10K
* Exercise at least three times a week and add some variety

I did manage a couple of 5Ks in under 30 minutes but only on the treadmill and I never managed to pull it off under race conditions. That will be my goal for this year. I'm most proud of my first 10K which I did on December 17th! This was the very last race of the year so I'm going to try and get this year's goals done a bit sooner so that I don't feel quite so much pressure:). My last goal to establish a regular workout regimen went very well. I'm now safely in 'the groove' and have changed my lifestyle accordingly. I ran about 300 miles this year in total and participated in 10 races for some amazing charities. I have also connected with some of the nicest people that I am really happy to have as my 'running buddies.' I definitely have better energy levels and feel much stronger than ever before. I also have a deeper appreciation for people with disabilities or injuries and recognize that running in particular is such a privilege. I feel so lucky that I can (albeit slowly :)).

So for 2011, here are my new goals:

* Run over 350 miles
* Do at least 6 fitness events
* Complete a 15K or a Sprint Triathlon
* Finish a 5K race in under 30 mins

Yikes! These feel very ambitious...gulp...

Our first 10K!

I can't quite believe that I actually managed to complete a 10K!!! I was really nervous the night before and only got about 3 hours of sleep but on the plus side it was a nice cool, rainy morning :). We went over to Clearwater with the lovely Catherine at the crack of dawn and met up with Kathleen, Emily, Darren, Nikisha and Joe over there. Everyone was in really good spirits and I felt encouraged and motivated. The bridge was tough on the way back but apart from the couple of hills, I just kept running and stayed at a really slow and steady pace. Mike was a complete treasure and stayed with me the whole time and it was really special coming over the line holding hands!

The results came in later and I was just under 71 minutes which I was thrilled with until I realized that I was 39th out of 46 in my age category! I can't believe how fast 30-something chicks can run! The good news is that next year I will be in the next age category so it's not that I have to run faster, just get older...that I can do :).

Me, Mike and Catherine just after we arrived...

We ran over that bridge!!

This race is notorious for the fabulous after-run pancakes!

We're home and it's time for some relaxation!

Training for the 10K

OK so it's the first week in November and I'm planning on doing a 10K on December 18th and frankly I'm terrified. So scared in fact that I don't plan on publishing this post until I can be sure that I'll actually be able to do it. The plan to get "10K ready" in 6 weeks is very simple: run 3 times per week: one long run (adding a half mile each time), one maintenance run (3-4 miles) and once short 1.5-2 mile run with 4/2 minute splits to build speed. Wish me luck...!

Week 1: Managed to do the dreaded long run (4.5 miles without stopping !) and a 4.2 mile maintenance run this week. The long run was incredibly tough and my legs hurt a fair bit afterwards but basically I'm fine and there's no reason why I can't do this if I can keep my head together...

Inspiration... 

Oprah Winfrey ran a marathon in four and a half hours...that's under a 32 minute 5K pace and over 8 times further!

Week 2: I never did get that last run in last week. Good week with a Monday splits run, 5.1 mile long run in 56:30 and 3.5 miles with Sharon on Friday.

Inspiration... 

The average distance that women in developing countries walk to collect water per day is four miles and the average weight that women carry on their heads is approximately 44 pounds. (WSSCC, 2004)

Week 3: Good week last week and the legs aren't too sore and the world's biggest blister seems to have calmed down a bit. Did a PR at the Turkey Trot 5K on Thursday morning and a 5.5 mile long run in 1:02:45, slow but actually really enjoyable. I felt like I could even have gone further but didn't want to push it! I'm really starting to feel like I may have had a break through and this may be possible. I'm even starting to fantasize about doing a 15K for Gasparilla at this rate! Good stuff...

Inspiration...
Not only can Oprah do it but so can I. I ran a 10K distance twice in January of this year on the treadmill (which I had conveniently forgotton about).

Week 5: So now it's two weeks later and I haven't blogged or kept up with the program:(. Bloody rubbish and fairly typical of what seems to happen each time I try and push myself. After the success of the longest run ever and my fastest 5K to date I have barely managed two runs a week for the past two weeks and not had a successful long run since. The 10K is next Saturday and I haven't even registered since I don't have the confidence that I can do it. There's only one way to turn this sucker around and that's to get my arse in gear and run a 10K tomorrow to prove to myself it can be done. Then I need to show up on Saturday and walk (or crawl if need be) to get this thing done.

Inspiration... 
You are not a wimp. You are quite capable of setting a goal and doing it. Like quitting smoking for example which you managed to take care of over 3 years ago. Get a grip and stop doubting yourself - it's a 10K not a freakin' marathon!

The next morning...woke up feeling determined to do a 10K to prove to myself that I can. Mike ran all the way with me and Maddy rode her bike alongside me to show their support. How cool is that?!

Anyway, 66 and a half minutes later and we were all done. No stopping and I didn't feel too bad at all. So now I'm registered...OMG...