Friday, April 15, 2011

It's been a while, but I'm still around!

In recent weeks, I've been doing some soul searching. I had to change my 2011 goals because I thought I was injured again. It turns out I wasn't, but the concept of being injured yet again prompted me to put on the brakes. Do I really need to run 8 half marathons in one year?? No. Do I really need to earn Half Fanatics AND Marathon Maniacs status in one year?  No. Do I need to remain healthy and able to continue running? Yes. 

So, (I believe I might have posted this already) I took the 8 half marathons and 3 marathons down to 5 half marathons spread out over the year with the little 5k's, 10k's and 15k-20k's tossed in the mix just for fun. 

In addition to reducing my mileage to produce a better runner, I'm trying to become a STRONGER runner by implementing some strength training. My good friend Carolyn (from Fabulous Fitness - link to the right) explained to me that if all I do is run, I'll develop muscle imbalances that will just produce even more injuries. Certainly don't want any of THOSE, so introducing ST back into my fitness routine. Right now I'm only doing one ST workout a week - upper body.  I'm trying to figure out what lower body stuff I can do without taxing my muscles too much and making it even more difficult to run.

I'm also adopting a cleaner diet. Fitness is 90% diet according to The Eat Clean Diet Recharged by Tosca Reno.  I'll believe it. Certainly just being diligent about my workouts isn't enough b/c I'm still way heavier than I want to be. And you can't convince me that eating a McDonald's burger will make me a stronger runner. So, cleaning up the eats.

This weekend I have 10 miles on the schedule. It's looking like Sunday afternoon will be the time to run. The temperature will be higher and the wind slower than Saturday. I'm hoping I can work out the logistics to FINALLY meet my friend Laurie Eash and finally run with an ultramarathoner who's 20 years my senior! How cool and inspiring!!

I hope everyone is doing well.