The Return (a blog resolution)

I resolve to return to blogging....

The down cycle is almost over... hopefully. I have had a down cycle in my training the past couple of months. I refused to do a fall marathon this year because I did not want to train in the summer heat AGAIN. I have basically maintained this summer- mostly done two 4 milers and a 6 miler a week. In August I am planning on ramping up my training to the Baton Rouge half marathon in December, and the New Orleans marathon in February with a sprint distance triathlon thrown in the mix in Hattiesburg in October.

I'm coaching three run programs right now- 2 5K programs and 1 half/full program. It will be interesting to see how my training will unfold. I'm also trying to do some tennis.

I would like to do everything I can to make the New Orleans marathon the best I've done. I've had two crap marathons due to freakish heat. I am going to experiment with heart rate training (which I've never done), yoga (which I have done sporadically at best), weight training (which I always drop), and nutrition (which is just plain hard). We will see. It's alot of eggs in one basket.

Hopefully, I can get to the bottom of my Morton's neuroma before training intensifies too much and hopefully it will involve only icing, giving up a certain pair of running shoes, and not giving up my beloved heels.

The Laws of Running and Other Discoveries

I have found that running three days a week works for me. I can actually do that many times and get the cross training in too. Less than three days and I lose some running skills. More than three days - ha! - that hasn't happened in quite some time.

So, the law of running. I will have no more than one good run a week and no less than one crap run a week. Sometimes, they are all crap runs. Yesterday, my husband and I were supposed to run 8 miles in preparation for the N.O. half marathon. The heat and humidity were unbearable. I ran 5.5 with walk breaks. Then, today was supposed to be my long bike ride day. I woke up to 32 degree weather with a high of 40. Son of a $%&@! So, I rode on the trainer. My first real time to ride the trainer.

Which brings me to my discovery. I hate the trainer. How am I going to utilize the trainer for the next few months? I did discover that my portable DVD player nestles quite securely on my aero bars, so perhaps that is the answer until warmer weather.

There's Hope in 2009!

Okay, I had been feeling really down and out of shape the past few weeks. Some of it due to injuries and some due to laziness. I was telling some co-workers how I felt so out of shape after a great year of races. They said that the fitter you are the faster you lose your fitness. Sooooo, I logically concluded that because I am uber fit I lost it very quickly. I said this out loud to them They laughed - audibly.

I have been coaching beginning runners since February throughout some different running programs offered through our running store that I work at part time. I coached two beginner 5K programs and a intermediate half marathon program. My husband and I both worked on the half program. This past Saturday was the event. I was so nervous for our participants and so excited; there is nothing like that first time that you cross the finish line. Our group did so well. I was so proud because they were so proud. It was pretty incredible and inspirational to be a part of their process.

The running programs have been highlights from 2008. It is amazing how excited you can become about something you've done for years (I've run since jr. high) when you can look at it through a beginner's eyes. What a joy.

I felt better after running on Saturday with our participants. I slowed down, looked around, and smiled ALOT. I didn't feel so out of shape so maybe I am not starting at ground zero. Maybe it helped to just focus on someone else and remember why I train and do all of this. That may need to be the focus of another blog.