Monthly Archives: June 2012

June Race Recap: Head for the Cure

I’ve been putting off this June race recap because, well, I sucked it up on this one.

After the Mini I gave myself a training break that extended even longer than the initial 2 weeks I had planned when life, as always, go in the way.  The past two months have been very slow in terms of training as I work to balance out my “new normal” with a new job, new schedule and, what feels like, a new life.

The scale has been kind enough to let me know, this week, that that break is very much over.  As has the extra 5 lbs that has pleasantly situated itself in my mid-region.  I’m back in the saddle now, though, which is probably why I finally feel ready to post this misery of a “race” recap that really should be called a lazy Saturday run/walk.

The Saturday of the race, I was geared up despite lackluster (okay, straight lazy) workouts the two weeks prior to the 5k.  I showed up expecting to be slower than usual, but I was in no way prepared for my body to totally fail me in terms of endurance and speed.

The 5k turned into a half run/half walk as opposed to the full run I had anticipated.  It was hot that day, and the heat took it’s toll on me and didn’t help at all.

The race itself well pretty well run.  There was a good number of people racing, not too many, and the course was nice.  The start went off about 15 minutes later than expected and it was pretty messy, but the rest of the event was very well organized with very nice volunteers pointing the way.  The last .1 of the course was a zig-zag straight up hill and it was a nice, unique way to end the morning.

A race I would consider again, but one I would most certainly train for in the future.  Now that this month/training break is out of the way, onward to the next chapter of this year’s races.

I joined a new gym to inspire me to get back to it, I’m armed with a few groupons for cross training (2 yoga, 1 bootcamp) and I’m scheduled to start training for this fall’s 1/2 marathon this weekend.  Almost a month into my “new normal,” I feel confident that I’ll be able to gear up for the second half of the year and get back on track with fresh legs and a fresh outlook.

 June Race
3.1 Miles
13:50 pace
42:53 total time

Plan of Action: Part 2

I started the year off with a resolution: Run one race per month, each month, for one year.

So far, I’ve had great personal success pushing through new experiences and goals as moved through the first 5 months of the year’s races.  Each race was a milestone and a benchmark.

The last race was the Mini Marathon, a goal of mine since I began running in December 2010.  It was a huge accomplishment, and as soon as it was over, I immediately signed up for two more 1/2 marathons.  But, I also decided that I needed a training break.

It’s important to listen to your head and your heart while training and moving forward, and my body needed a bit of a break after the push through the mini heat, so I rested for two weeks.

The first run back was painful, but it was worth the weeks of muscle recuperation.

So, now I’m back training for the next few races and I’m very excited for the races I have coming up, especially the ones where my friends are running with me!

So, at not quite the 1/2 way point of the year, here’s the schedule so far for the remaining months. Nearly all are chosen and registered for, with just a few months still pending.

June:
Head for the Cure 5k
Carmel, IN

July:
The Color Run 5k
White River State park

August: 
Probable: Debating between my first trail run 5k or a 5-miler

September:
Probable: The Popcorn Panic 5k
Valparaiso, IN

October:
Probable: Wine at the Line 5 mile
Bargersville, IN

November:
The Monumental Half Marathon
Indianapolis, IN

December:
The Santa Hustle 5k
White River State Park

Ch-ch-ch-changes

“It’s not you, it’s me.”
“I just need to focus on me right now.”
“I just don’t feel the same way any more.”
“We want other things.”

Pick the cliche and run with it, because this is a breakup post.

Before you spit out your coffee/beer/water… this is not a breakup from my wonderful husband, but rather from my life-encompassing job of the past 4.5 years.

I gave notice about 3 weeks ago and wrapped up my work at the place that has been my second home (and sometimes, my first home) since college.  It wasn’t the first job I quit, but it was the first full-time job I left.

I know, unequivocally, that I made the absolute correct decision.  I’m excited for the future and know that I left not a moment too soon.

I know the following to be truth:
I’m going to do big things with my career.
I am smart.
I am creative.
I am a hard worker.
And, I am damn good at what I do.

I leave with the confidence of those statements, listed above, along with the excitement of getting to learn every day in my new position and new role.

I will always keep learning and growing, both personally and professionally, and I am at peace with the fact that when the learning stops, it’s time to move on.

I’ll sleep well at night knowing that as I enter my new career phase, I’ll keep learning and growing in the future with my integrity and confidence in tow.