Friday, February 20, 2015

Racing Plans

It's winter here and will likely be winter-like for the next 6+ weeks (it doesn't matter if Puxatawny Phil sees his shadow or not, winter is always long here).  Winter is by far my LEAST favorite time of year to run as I am just a cold weather wimp.  Plus I honestly feel like I am more sensitive to the cold than the average person - and Phil will back me up on this.  The blustering winds, icy sidewalks/running paths and cold temps just make it so hard to get out there and run but I have been trying to do my long run outside on the weekends.

But instead of dwelling on the less than favorite running conditions outside, I'm trying to do what I can to stay in shape and I'm starting to set my sights on my race plans for the spring, summer and fall! Race registration fees really add up fast so I am very selective about the races I do because I do not give myself a big budget for racing.  I'm excited about the races I selected for this year, though!  Here's what I've got planned for the year:

Hot Dash 10 Mile - I'll kick off my racing with a 10 mile race in my neighborhood on Saturday, March 7th.  This race is being put on by the same organization that puts on the Twin Cities Marathon so I think it will be a great race.  I signed up for this race for two reasons - 1)  I thought it would motivate me to increase my long run distance in January/February so I would have a strong base going into the summer.  2)  The race starts and finishes close to my neighborhood so I can walk to/from the start which is awesome!  Registering for this race in the hopes that it would motivate me to do longer runs earlier in the year sort of back-fired because I am just such a wimp when it comes to cold weather running, so I might be a little under trained for this.  I'll get through it but it certainly won't be a PR.

Get in Gear Half Marathon - I'll run my only half marathon race of the year on April 25th.  The course for this race is awesome as it's along the Mississippi and it follows about 7 miles of the Twin Cities marathon course so it's a good preview for people that plan to run that race.  And - I can take the light rail to the race which means I won't have to fight traffic or deal with the headache of parking which is always a bonus!  I will not be trying to PR at this - I mostly want to have fun and enjoy the beautiful course!

YWCA Women's Triathlon - My friend Courtney inspired me to sign up for this race on August 16th.  It will be my first tri so I am going into it with pretty low expectations for my time (I honestly don't even know what a "good" time would be).  I mostly want to finish with a smile on my face.  I'm a little nervous about training for this on top of training for my fall race (see below - I've got a big summer/fall ahead of me) but I will figure it out.  I figure I can bike to/from run club 2 nights a week to get some extra miles in on the bike and I will do a longer bike ride on Sundays, and I am considering doing a 6 week tri swim course at the Y (on top of open water swims, of course).  I am sure it will all come together and I'll have a great race day!

Twin Cities Marathon - Gulp.  You read that right.  On October 4th, I'll be running my 4th marathon.  When I was diagnosed with RA, I thought I'd never run another marathon.  But last year I did most of the marathon workouts and ran as far as 16 miles without any trouble so after talking it over with my Rheumatologist, I've decided to sign up for the TC marathon!  I did promise my doctor that I would stop training if my joint pain returned so I will be careful and listen to my body.  I don't know if I will run anymore marathons after this one, but I just want one last shot at this distance and when I decide to stop running marathons, I want to be the one making that choice versus having the choice made for me.  John is flying in to run this marathon so I am excited to run it with him and show him my city!  The Twin Cities marathon was the first marathon that I did way back in 2006 so I am excited to race it again.

So there you have it - 4 races that I am excited about!  For the most part, I don't really have goals for any of them, aside from staying healthy and having fun.  Of course I have a back of the mind goal for the marathon but I need to wait and see how my body handles training before I really set my heart on a particular time.

Do you have any racing plans for the year?  If you aren't a runner, are you working towards any fitness goals this year?

24 comments:

Becky said...

Woah race schedule! I think it's great you're starting off slowly and building up to the marathon, but I do not envy all the training you have to do! (Although I'm not a runner so really any running training seems hard to me - ha!)

My fitness goal this year I think will be losing baby weight and getting back into yoga after I have Lemon. I seriously haven't done yoga since we moved last JULY because I felt so horrible for so long and then I was paranoid about what poses you can do in what trimester.

Kyria @ Travel Spot said...

It makes me so happy to see this list! You are going to have a great time running this year! I am glad that you are being realistic and are not worrying too much about the shorter races. They will be a great way to stay motivated, but the main focus will be on your A race! I sometimes throw races into my training schedule, and it's hard to just use them for training and not try to race them. However, lately, I have been down for the count and so I need to listen to my body and take the races slow and easy, rather than messing things up for the future. I know you are already on top of this though!

Caroline said...

Woo! So awesome you feel strong enough to take on all those races, especially the marathon in October! That's huge!

Kelly (She Wears a Red Sox Cap) said...

Yay! So excited you are going to do a tri!

Marisa A. said...

OMG I signed up for the marathon too!!!! I'm so excited! Even with RA you will still kick my butt, but if you want to get together for a training run this summer let me know!!!

Nora said...

Your races sound fun! My fitness goals this year are to continue to workout for five days a week beyond September. I do so well until then, then I get burnt out and my workouts aren't as consistent. On a more serious note, I would like to lose 10-15 pounds total. I'm down about three, so if I can keep it up I think I'll be on track.

Marlys said...

Whoa! That's a lot of running! Hope your body stays happy and you accomplish your goals!
Now we need the weather to warm up so you can get outside and train!

Jeanie said...

Good for you, Lisa. When I remember how frightening it was after you got the RA diagnosis and what you are doing now, I find it truly inspirational!

Amber said...

You have a great line-up of racing plans! I think training for the tri will make you even stronger for your marathon. I trained for my first (and only so far) tri when I was also training to run the sub 2-hour half in Victoria and I really think all the cross training just made me stronger!

I don't really have a ton of racing plans this year. I think I will mostly just stick to local trail races and a few local road races this year. I'm excited because Eric has agreed to do a few of them with me!

Leigh said...

You have some awesome races planned for this year! I have none planned at all so far. I think I might wait until I'm cleared to run and see how it's going before I register for any. Looking forward, but also dreading getting back into it!

missris said...

Yay another marathon! I'm so excited for you!

Anonymous said...

So many races to look forward to! I finally bit the bullet and registered to run the half-marathon in the D at the end of October. After skipping last year because of my knee injury, I'm cautiously excited about this one. You should come and run the full or the half one year. Across the bridge and over to Canada! You know you want to! :)

Unknown said...

I haven't quite decided which races I'm going to do this year. I was thinking Get in Gear as well, but I entered the lottery for the Gary Bjorklund Half, so I might do that one. I haven't really been running enough this winter too to make an April 25 half make sense, so I might do one of the May half if I don't get in.

And I'm still debating about the TC Marathon. I want to do it, but I'm still like ahhhhh a marathon!

Amanda said...

I am so, so happy that you are back to running so much! I remember how upsetting it was when you didn't think you'd be able to. I fell off the wagon about a year and a half ago and haven't hooped back on. I'm hoping to start light running again this spring!

Kim said...

What a big year! Your first tri! And TCM!!!! I am actually running the Hot Dash this year. It will be my first MN race. The person I am doing it with is doing the marathon, too! :)

Cherry Blossoms said...

Sounds like some great races. I am so excited to see you being able to enjoy running again.

Stephany said...

I am so happy to see this list because it means you are able to RUN and RACE and YAY! I know how much running means to you and losing that piece of yourself for a while was really difficult. And now you feel good enough to train for a tri and a marathon!!! Woo!

Lauren @ Sassy Molassy said...

Those sound like some good races ahead! Having races always motivates me to run more and train a bit harder. I'm already wondering if I should sign up for a half or something in late summer/early fall. But one thing's for sure, I want to have something to look forward to that motivates me and not something that feels like too much too soon,

O-town Ramblings said...

Hi Lisa. I found your blog from the Marmalade Gypsy. This is my first visit so I need to catch up on reading some of your past posts.

This year I'll be trying to get back to running after a year of little to no strenuous physical activity due to a herniated disc. Since having back surgery in early December, my goal now is to run a 5k in my hometown in mid-May. Now I just need to officially register as I find that's always the biggest and best motivator for me to train. I look forward to following you and reading more about your training and races.

The Many Thoughts of a Reader said...

I'm glad that you are doing a marathon. TAKE THAT RA! I am hoping to do some 5ks this year but nothing planned. There are always a ton in our area for charities. I usually walk them with my friend but I kind of want to try to run one this year. I do know that I will be in far better shape to walk one than ever before. ;) My fitness goals are to get stronger, healthier and incorporate working out into my daily routine. So far, so good. I have slid a bit in February as it was busier work/commitment wise but I am still going strong.

Nilsa @ SoMi Speaks said...

I am so excited for you to train for and run another marathon. I know this is a huge milestone making it to this point of even thinking about it, let alone completing it. Hooray!

I was going to run a 1/2 marathon in early April for the same reasons you signed up for the 10-mile race, but I may wind up bailing. We'll see. Other races, the Shamrock Shuffle (a 6-mile race that commences running season in Chicago), a half marathon over Memorial Day weekend and maybe 1-2 other half marathons between summer and fall, all local to the Chicago area.

Abby said...

Sounds like a great race schedule!! I think you are going to fall in love with the tri! They are SO much fun!!!

I am so happy that you get to do another marathon! My prayers will be with you as you train!

I don't have a whole lot on my race calendar coming up, except possibly the Yosemite half marathon in October and the Oro Valley Half Marathon (which is right in my "backyard")

Carolina John said...

Yay! the cat is out of the bag, and it's blog-official. Let's see if we can get you under 4 hours. I can't wait to see the twin cities!

Jolene - EverydayFoodie said...

I am not a runner, but I am going to try and get into better shape this year.