2014 Review and 2015 Goals

I am very thankful for another pretty successful running year.  Most importantly, I knocked off a couple goals, stayed healthy and enjoyed every minute of it.  Here are a few specific highlights:

• Set a PR in the mile with a 5:17
• Set a PR in the 5k with a 17:35 on my 53rd birthday
• Set a PR in the HM with a 1:21:22
• Set a PR in the FM with a 2:53:58
• Set a total mileage PR, ending up just short of 3,300 miles
• Came in 5th in the Minnesota ROY standing

I also was able to coach my daughter to a successful first-time marathon.  It was my favorite highlight of the year.  Seeing her cross the finish line at Twin Cities with a big smile on her face and knowing that I had a small part in her success was great.

2015 will be a tough year to set goals.  I think I am pretty maxed out at most distances.  I am fairly certain I don't want to add miles and also pretty sure my body would rebel.  So, what's next?  I think I have one more marathon PR left in me, so the Moose Mug (running 2 hours plus your age) is still compelling, but I may sacrifice the mug and risk a blow up by really going for it and trying to break 2:50 this fall.  If I can stay healthy and get the miles in, I think I have a shot.

As far as the mile training goes, because of the most recent circumstances, the holidays and the track being closed, I haven't done the quality or quantity of running to maintain, let alone build on any fitness.  I think I can still run a decent mile, but a PR is not likely and anything even close to sub 5 is out of the question.

Happy Running,

Rick

The True Meaning of Perseverance

We lost a tough lady today.  Long distance runners often talk about running tough, working through the pain, persevering.  The toughest runner on the planet ain't got nothing on my Mom.  I'm not just talking about the past few years, when she faced some extremely difficult physical pain.  I'm talking about a Mom who lost a son in 1977, a wife who lost her husband way too soon in 1991, then to lose another child, a daughter to cancer in 2007.  Then she faced her own health problems.  Beating breast cancer, twice, then being diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma about 6 years ago, which along with its unique health issues was the cause of her needing major reconstructive hip surgery.  Through all this heartache and pain she persevered, never complaining, never feeling sorry for herself and always positive.  The way she handled adversity was a great influence on me.  I can't fathom what she has gone through, but when things get rough for me, all I need to do is remember my Mom's attitude.  She never cared to talk about herself, but she could have written a book on toughness and facing adversity.  We will miss you.  Love you Mom.

This Ain't Easy

After about a month of training for the mile, my mind and body revolted. I blame Thanksgiving.  Both mind and body enjoyed the holiday week and when I tried to get back into another week of intervals from hell and laborious strengthening sessions, they said not now.  It took taking 3 days off for my body and mind to finally give in.  Tuesday night was the worse.  Normally my track work out.  I got a good night's sleep the night before and didn't do a MLR on Sunday, so was thinking I could get my 800x2 at 2:30 in the books.  I didn't even make it to the track.  I got dressed and kept telling myself that I was going to do this, but just before I was about to leave, I said "screw this", ate dinner and went to bed!  I slept 9 hours that night and have felt pretty good since.  I even managed a time trial on Friday night, where I ran a 5:28 mile as part of 6 mile run.  A far cry from 5, but somewhat encouraging.  

Less than a month to go until race day, so I can still regroup and salvage a decent time.  I've decided not to force the issue, this is supposed to be a fun hobby and I had certainly drained all the enjoyment out of a good run.  I will still try to get my intervals done, but heck, if I want to run 7 with my daughter, or an easy 8 with a friend that's what I will do.

One good by-product of this mile experiment is my attitude towards gym work outs.  It is certainly changing the way I run and I have found that committing 60 minutes per week is no big deal. Running fast feels more natural than ever and hopefully I won't have to worry about lower back issues once I start ramping up the miles.

I am looking ahead to 2015 and starting to plan out some of my running and racing goals, always one of my favorite things to do.  Should have the list done by next week.

Happy Running!

Rck