Looking back, planning forward

Last year around this time I was setting some goals for myself.  Here they are:  Goals for 2012

This is what I was able to do:

My original running goals for the coming year were:

• √Run 5k under 21:40 Ran 21:13 in March 5k
• Run the Flying Pig Half Marathon or the Cap City Half  in under 1:45 managed 1:51 (holy hills!)
• Run the Air Force 10k or Half in under 46:00/ under 1:45Ran Full marathon instead!
• Run the Columbus Half Marathon in under 1:45  wanted to run this...next year...

My realistic goals for 2012:

• √Run/Finish a 5k by March
• Run/Finish the Flying Pig 10k in May
• Run/Finish the AF 10k in a "decent" time 
• Finish Columbus Half

My more realistic goals for 2012:

• Increase flexibility in calves so they are at least 10 degrees
• √Walk a full day without any heel pain
• √Start running again
• Strength training and core
• √Spinning- don't go under 11 for resistance- bike at least 20 miles per class 

So what are my plans for 2013?

• Run 13 13.1s in 2013 
• I haven't fully committed to this since as of today, I still am working on my IT band issues.  But the year is long, and who knows? Last year I never would have imagined I would run 2 full marathons in 2012. 

• Run Cincinnati's Flying Pig 3 way- I've already signed up and this will be my "A" race for the spring.  5k and 10k on Saturday, 1/2 marathon on Sunday.  This is more of a challenge in training.  I'm looking forward to track workouts and speed training.
• Run Air Force 1/2 marathon in 1:45
• Run Columbus Full or Half in under 4:16/1:42 We'll see about the full...
• Run at least 5 ORRRC races and at least 2 with the boys.
• Try to run with Up and Running at least 2 times a month

I'm in a funk

I'm not motivated at all right now.  I haven't run more than once a week in ummm, I can't even tell you it's been so long.

 I blame my damn IT band. 

I went for a run after my last marathon and it seized up and it has been annoying as get out.  I've been following the typical remedies of rest, ice (well, a few times), foam rolling (not daily but more than before) and I had a massage as well. 

When I go for a run it feels fine for the first 2.5 miles then it starts to hurt.  If it doesn't, I get excited, then the next time I go for a run, it hurts again.  So frustrating!  It doesn't hurt unless I run.

 On top of the IT band, we had a crazy family schedule in Nov/Dec trying to squeeze in swim lessons for the boys (on different nights so we were at the rec 4 nights a week!).

Meanwhile, my running partner has been doing fine and got a treadmill, so I get daily reminders that I'm not running and she is.  She's going to be kicking my @ss this spring.  Grrr.. Not that I'm competitive or anything.

So my plan of 13 13.1s in 2013...might not happen.  :-( 

BUT- I decided on this Saturday night (yah, I know, I'm lame), to write up my training plan for the Flying Pig 3 way this spring.  I have 17 weeks before the race.  I have to get back in to shape before actually training!  

And how do you train for a 5k, 10k and a 1/2 all on the same weekend?

I decided to place my faith in good old Hal Higdon again.  I followed the intermediate 1/2 training plan before and he did a great job combining distance and speed, so I thought that would be the best plan.  Here it is:  Hal Higdon's Intermediate Half training plan.  I need to start training on Feb 10th, so I added a build up for the next few weeks.  That requires me to start running at least 3 times a week for 3 miles.  (Ugh, I hope I can!)  I'm also starting to lift now, so once the program starts I can go up to 3 sets.  Also, I want this to be my "A" race so I'm adding in the McMillan training paces to make sure I'm running my Tempos at the right speed.  Then again, maybe I'll still have IT band issues.  Grrrr. 

On top of that, my favorite spinning instructor has left, and a few others who are good are leaving for various reasons, so my go to workout is iffy.  I asked about getting certified to instruct but I'm not sure if that's a good way to go.  I don't think I'd get  a good workout and it's $295 to get certified and no guarantee I'd get the job. (although, the person in charge seemed to be enthusiastic that I wanted to do it.).  Hmm. 

What would you do?

What can I say?

My heart goes out to all the families who have lost someone precious in their lives this past Friday in Newtown, CT.  I can not imagine the pain.   RIP you sweet babies.

I did tell my boys, ages 6 and 8, since they caught me in a weak moment.  Cub was playing with his Nerf gun and I broke down and told him I didn't want to see any guns this weekend.  I'd pulled him back to his room and explained in basic terms what had happened.  I broke down and started really crying.  Then Buster popped in to the room so I had to explain to him too.  We kept the news off, and my nephew was visiting the rest of the weekend and he didn't know. I don't usually tell my kids to keep secrets, but I explained that some parents might not share the news with their children, so my boys should not bring it up. They haven't asked me any more about it and I'll address questions when/if they pop up.

Here's some information I found that might be useful to any parents out there. 

Children and Grief
Talking to children after disaster
Talking to children about death
How_to_Help_Children_Cope_with_a_Crisis


Also, Here are some places you can donate to help out the Sandy Hook community:


https://newtown.uwwesternct.org/
http://www.newtownyouthandfamilyservices.org/index.php
http://www.newtownparentconnection.org/
http://newtownmemorialfund.org/
http://www.indiegogo.com/onerepublicforsandyhook