Ok. I’ve got about 15 minutes until the puppy wakes up and starts her daily reign of terror. To say she is a handful would be the understatement. She has destroyed my house, ruined my sleep, pooped in my car, run away 3 times…the list goes on. I almost got rid of her, but things seem to be getting a bit better. That is it’s own post that’s coming in the next few days. When she lets me.
You clicked on this post because you want to read about me being a pussy, right?
I’m bagging Chicago. I tried to think of blog worthy excuses while on my run the other day, but here’s the absolute truth. It’s a combination of several things.
First, I have ZERO dollars. The reason that I registered for Chicago to begin with was that I had a credit to fly to there and had to use it in a year. Now, United claims that the credit is no longer valid or some shit so I would have to BUY another ticket. I really and truly can’t afford that. I was barely going to be able to pay for hotel and spending money. Now add a flight and it’s not in my reach. I’m not claiming poverty, but I am claiming that I have other things that I need to spend my money on. Like obedience classes for Willow, or all those hospital bills I have. (Did you know they charge per tumor? Seriously. Can’t even get a 2 for 1.)
Second, and I’m sure you already know this: Florida is hot. Not like, oh I can run at 10 and just need plenty of water hot. We’re talking your ass better be done with your run by the time the sun is coming up hot. Now I’m used to the heat for the most part and I get out there and just do my thing. I can run up to about 8ish miles comfortably (not right now because I’m still out of shape) in the early morning heat and be fine. I’d say about 10 is my max. Then I have to start getting up at 4:30 and run at 5, carry tons of water, have a change of shorts because mine get so wet with sweat you need to change them half way through, etc. And you know what? It’s not fun. Not at all. I can’t even pretend that it’s fun. I hate it. There’s crying and whining and missed runs. Then you feel like shit and get upset with yourself. Then you realize…it’s only running and this is supposed to be fun. If it’s not fun, then why am I doing it?
Third, I don’t know if I WANT to do another marathon. I know in the running world, we often treat 26.2 like it’s the ultimate distance. Hell, I’m guilty of it too. But, what if I run a fast half, 10k, or even a 5k. Does that make me less of a runner? More importantly, do I care? I’m a runner for life. I love the sport and even if I’m not racing, I run.
TLDR; Version
I’m a pussy that has no desire to do the marathon. At. All. Not this year. Not through this heat.
What Do I Plan on Doing?
I want to run fast and get in sick shape. I want my body from ’10 back. I want to weigh 114 and be ripped. (Well, ripped for me. I don’t really get abs, but my stomach sure as shit is flat and I’m 100 times hotter than most other women my age. What? I’m not allowed to say that? Fuck it. This isn’t some ED blog and I have no problem admitting that I’ve got a sick figure when I take care of it.) I want to get some PR’s in some other distances. Some things I’d like to see:
- A sub 2:00 half marathon. My current half PR is 2:10:?? and that’s super soft. I had just had my embolism and got injured. I had to cut my training short and just half assed things. Oddly this was a 17 minute PR. That’s how soft my half time is.
- A sub 25:00 5k PR. This might not be doable. I’m not sure. I haven’t run that many 5ks. A matter of fact, I kind of hate the distance. I have no idea how much work this is going to take or if it’s a soft goal.
- Bitchslap Dunn’s Run. I hate this race. It’s a 5 miler and was the first race that made me realize I sucked. Now, I’d like to run it and kick it’s ass.
The Plan
To continue running as I am. I’m doing 4-5 days. Runs ranging from 3-6 miles for the time being. I’d like to get a long run of 8-10 miles in when I’m in better shape. We’ll reevaluate as I get closer to half marathon training. (I’ve got a long time. I don’t think we have any halves until November.) I’d like to throw in a couple of days of weights (I found some plans, we’ll discuss those later) and maybe some swimming just because I like it.
Thought? Comments? Questions? Concerns?
No? Then go get your run on!
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I think as you gradually build up your mileage and add some strength training you’ll be amazed at how it can build speed. I only say that because a little under a year ago I was miffed that my half marathon time was 2:25, I had some injuries (effing plantar fasciitis and ITB issues), and I wasn’t focusing much on strength. I added Stronglifts 5×5 barbell lifts, did the Hal Higdon half marathon plan almost to a T, gradually built up my mileage (no more than 10% weekly), and signed up for 5Ks, 10ks, etc along the way. My first 5K was around 29ish minutes. Just a couple months later I ran a 5K in under 25 minutes, a 10K in under 50, and a half marathon in 1:53. The best thing is to keep building your base and you’ll get there! I swear!
Running in extreme heat has to be the worst of the worst. I’m impressed that more southern runners don’t just throw in the towel and become swimmers beginning every May.
What’s your weights/strength-training situation? Gym or at home?
I think you’ll be glad you pussied out when Chicago ends up being freakishly hot again for the marathon in October.
My plan for getting faster is to lose weight. Seriously, if I dropped 15-20 pounds I could easily PR and maybe even BQ. Right now I like running short.