My dear friend, and only blog fan Michele (who tries to cheat in 5k races), pointed out to me today that I haven't updated my blog in, like, forever. So I am here to rectify that, and keep Michele from crying over my lack of blog posts.
I tried to tell her that I have nothing interesting to say. I haven't been running with the FAST group, because it just doesn't fit well with my schedule. I haven't seriously trained for anything in months. I haven't even run any races at all since October. So what should I talk about?
*scratching head*
Well, I guess I can talk about my future running plans.
My big running news for 2013 is that Marathon Evily is on her way back. I have not seriously raced a marathon since October 2011. I took a year off due to major personal life changes, and I am just now regaining my 2011 fitness levels. I have now built my running base up to 40 miles per week, consistently, and I feel I am truly ready to begin serious marathon training again.
I am registered for the Illinois Marathon on April 27. And, as of today, I am also registered for the inaugural Naperville Marathon on November 10. That gives me two chances this year to prove my marathon prowess. I am really hoping at least one of those will be a sub-4:00 victory.
Of course, simply hoping for a sub-4:00 really isn't enough. I'm going to have to work my ass off to get there, just like I did in 2011. My training plan for Illinois is aggressive (for me, at least), and similar in total mileage to my training for Lakefront Marathon 2011. I figure I may as well start with what worked for me before.
I will peak at about 55 miles per week in this training cycle, barring injury or illness or total burnout. It's scary to think about running that much mileage after a year of barely being able to get in 30 miles per week. But I am in a better place now, mentally and physically, and I feel well-prepared to handle it.
Also, I have new shoes.
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| *squeeeeee!* |
There is nothing more motivating than shiny, pretty, colorful, cushy new shoes to run in. I mean, aside from the desire to achieve one's goals, blah blah blah.
So remember, there are three important benefits of marathon training: (1) the satisfaction of achieving one's goals (2) improving one's fitness and performance, and (3) pretty new shoes. Not necessarily in that order.
Peace. Love. Train.
