Happy Monday! This is going to be quite the week when it comes to running for me. The highest mileage week to date of 61 miles! Whew! I am tired just sitting here thinking about it. Just taking it one day at a time!
Sunday started off with a 10 mile run. Wes was on call again and got up super early, but I opted to sleep in though my body didn’t end up sleeping past 7:50 am. Not sure actually if it was my body or my herd of animals that wanted to be fed, either way I got up a little before 8 to get ready to run!
I had 10 miles on the schedule for Sunday. I ended up running the same exact pace as my Saturday run. Not sure how that happened!
The run went pretty well. My goal was simple: stay relaxed. I think I succeeded at this pretty well and enjoyed relaxing. The weather had a cool breeze which also helped! Anytime I choose to delay my run it makes me a bit nervous.
Afterwards once Wes had a break we headed over to the new YMCA that just opened up to check it out. He decided to get in a few extra miles and meet me over there.
The YMCA is right on the river and all the cardio equipment overlooks it. In fact, a local trail runs right past the YMCA. Great if you want to get in a run outdoors and then go instead for strength, core and stretching work!
This is Wes trying to figure out how to get the treadmills to set on “marathon mode” so that they don’t cut off at 60 minutes. It is usually one of the first things we always look up when we try a new treadmill.
It really is so beautiful and new! I don’t think I have seen a gym that new and just opened in a long time. A few things were still in the plastic wrap! It got me really excited about belonging to a gym again.
Running outdoors will always be my favorite, but I always prefer running on a treadmill and strength work at a gym when I have the option. I am sure there will be many awesome hours spent here in the future!
We came back home and I caught up on work while these two took a little nap.
He’s had a really busy week and needed his rest!
I’ve gotten several questions over the past several months about my goals and how I choose the goals I set. I realize that to many my goals my seem a little over the top. I am going from a 4:28 marathon and wanting to run a 3:35 – that’s a HUGE jump.
Going into my marathon my primary goal is NOT to BQ. I sure would love to, but my primary goal (outside of just finishing healthy) is to PR. If I were to go into the marathon, PR but not BQ I would be perfectly happy.
Coming from my past with injuries and such staying healthy is always number one. I realize that a BQ may take me several attempts to finally get, and I am OK with that. It’s a big goal and the only way I will go after it is if I make sure I am staying healthy.
That being said, I am always one who is going to set big goals for myself. I could go through and just run the marathons without a goal, I have done that twice in the past, but this time around I wanted to give myself a push. I wanted to train myself to go after a dream that at one point I never thought I would even attempt.
I’ve always held myself back because I didn’t believe I could achieve certain things. I am done with that. Sure, I may not BQ this time around, but I am still training to run the strongest best race I can to put me in the best case scenario if I am ready for it that day.
Come marathon day if I run a PR I will be ecstatic. If I run a BQ I will be even more ecstatic but I do realize that I am a work in progress, as we all are, and I look forward to continuing my quest for as long as it may or may not take!
I hope everyone has a fabulous start to your week!
What is a huge goal you have for yourself?
Do you belong to a gym currently? How often do you use it?
I am sometimes torn on the subject of big goals! I do set them for myself and I think it’s great for people to do the same, but there has to be some basis in reality! And I think the biggest thing is that you set your goals based on YOU and not what anyone else thinks of them! That being said if you feel like something was overzealous it’s not a good idea to stubbornly stick to it if it will cause more harm than good.
Agreed! I think no matter what your goal you need to be realistic. I know I am changing up some of mine recently. I never give up on a goal, sometimes it just make take longer to achieve!
Your new gym is beautiful! Piper looks to be in heaven 😉
I agree with your goal setting ideas. Set a couple that you feel that you can obtain in your next race along with a stretch goal. My first marathon was last March and I had 3 different goals – 1) Finish, 2) 4:20 (10 min pace), 3) 4:00 (stretch goal). I finished… in 4:36. Stuff happens in a long race…
Going into my 2nd marathon my goals are 1) PR (sub-4:36), 2) 4:00, 3) sub 3:45 (stretch goal).
My long term goal of all this is to eventually BQ (sub 3:30). I will get there some day, but I feel that I need to do a few more iterations of 18 week marathon prep and racing to get fast enough at that distance to BQ.
-Run with joy!
Oh Piper was in heaven but I think this was the first time I had actually seen her asleep since we got her!
Yes, I am definitely a fan of stretch goals because they give you different options! You really never know how a marathon is going to go.
Good luck on your goals! Keep me posted on how you do. I too want to BQ, but if it doesn’t happen this time around I am OK with that. A PR is really my primary goal…we will wait and see what happens!!
I think its so important to have a range of goals for the marathon. Its such a long distance and anything can happen!
So very true Lisa! There are so many unknowns!
What a lovely gym! I totally agree in the beauty of big goals too! Best of luck!
Thank you Julie!
Awesome gym!
What a nice YMCA! I do belong to the gym and I feel as long as you use it there is huge value in it. For me, I could only get by working out at home and the weather is unpredictable a lot of times to schedule runs outside or go to the track.