May Gosls

A new beginning. A fresh start. A clean slate.

Love.

I am absolutely taking the rush April has left me with and setting my sights highs for this month.

Here goes:

.Between 4/30 and 6/2 I'd like to put in a minimum of 75 miles (15 per week). My current plan would actually put me at 80.

.Add at least one strength training workouts to my schedule.

.Also contemplating setting a goal of biking at least one off-running day each week.

Lose 5-10 pounds. Another new "decade" of weight would be awesome.

.track at least one week of calories in. Just to double check and hold myself accountable. It really doesn't take much since I am a repetitive eater.

.map out new routes for when we move at the end of the month. Don't want that to be a hang io once we start talking June.


Time to get started!

April Wrap-Up

I had 5 goals set for the month of April; I will say up front I did not reach all of them. I will also say that I still feel great about this month. It was one of the best I've had in a while.

Goal 1: get back to a stricter diet. It is hard to say if I reached this or not. I did not do any counting of calories like I had planned on. I also don't feel like I did much excess picking ...

Goal 2: strenghth train. I did not follow through with developing a strenghth training plan.

Goal 3: put in 10-15 miles per week. Done! I did 11.6 (+ two swimming workouts) 16.1, 10.4, and 11.8 for a total of 49.9 miles! A great consistency building month for me.

Goal 4: finish the 5k in 36 minutes or less. I already posted about that. I will take my 36:25 and say goal reached!

Goal 5: lose 5 pounds. I yo-yo'd a bit at the end here, and finished with a net loss of just -2. Still down 11 since January. I am happy with the forward progress, but cant help being a bit disappointed.



April, its been fun.

Ready for May.

Earth Day 5k: Review

I figured I had better work on this review before the details of the race become a distant memory.

Lets start with that morning. I left the house for St. Cloud in somewhat of a huff. I had been reminding myself all morning that there were things I needed to grab from the kitchen on my way out the door ....

Fast forward a few hours. I have checked in for the race. We are running a few errands to pass time, and suddenly I realize I don't think I carried my RUNNING. Shoes out the door with me!! Yikes. Needless to say, our next stop was to Kohl's. I debated shopping around for a pair of Nikes I liked, but settled for a pair of Asics (great shoe!).

I was so worried at this point that they weren't going to fit right and I would be in pain with blusters. I mean who switches running shoes the day of a race???

I went into the race with 3 goals: finish, finish around a 12 minute mile, and PR.

Proud to say I landed right in the middle and finished in 36 minutes and 25 seconds, a 11:43 average pace.

I finished 1061/1621 overall; 637/1107 for females; and 145/247 in my division (F30-34).

Spectacular? No.

But better than last years time, and still feeling the runners high!

I am satisfied and looking forward go my next race.

Planning: 4/16 - 4/22

Monday: may or may not go for an easy 2.5 miles

Tuesday: either 3.5 or 4.3 mile loop

Wednesday: 2-3 miles depending on route

Thursday: Rest

Friday: Earth Day 5k

Saturday: probably just a recovery walk

Sunday: Rest


Really just keeping the week sketchy so I can adjust based on how I feel. I want to go into Fridays 5k feeling energized and ready to go, not sore and tired.

Ready, GO!

Wrap-Up

Wrapping up another week.

I did my weekend run on Sunday instead of Saturday as planned. Saturday just got away from me, and when the day slowed into evening it looked like rain.

This morning I got out for a great 5.5 mile loop around the lake; so going to miss this lake when we move. It sure was windy but the breeze felt amazing. In spots it was nasty going into the wind and in others it gave me the push I needed. And the fresh air gave A a great nap! I finished in 74.5 minutes; ended with a satisfied feeling.

Total for the week is 16.1 miles. And the best part is I am not fighting off any nagging injuries or dreading getting out there. On a total runners high right now!

Consistency

I love consistency.

And I have it this week.

Both in routine of getting out there and in pace. Also in just feeling great when I'm out running.

Which is probably one of the best feelings for a runner!


Wednesday I did a 2.8 mile route that has been a favorite quick route to fall back on. It went off withlut a hitch and I met my goals.

Tonight I did a 4.35 miler; I beat my time from last week by 4 minutes. Like my other runs this week I just fell into a nice easy pace and kept going. The best thing about tonight was running through a side ache and that "its time for a walk break" mentality. So great to prove to yourself you CAN surpass expectations.


10.35 miles on the week and going strong.

Yes!

Had an awesome run tonight!

When I got home from work, I had a quick snack. Then changed my clothes and headed out. It was the first run without pushing the stroller in quite awhile, so I went with the mind set of really wanting to get a feel for where I'll be for the 5k next week. I started running sooner into the route than normal, before slowing it back down. I did another cycle of run - walk. Through these two intervals I was thinking to myself I wanted my intervals at the end to be just as strong.

I started running the third time, and just kept going!! I ended up running the longest continual run I've had in quite some time. It ended up being 22 minutes. The hardest part was actually convincing myself not to push faster. I wanted to just go at a nice steady pace for as long as I could. My right hamstring felt a little tight, but all in all I felt amazing! I took a short walk break, maybe three minutes, before I ran back to where I started running originally. Then did a brisk cool down walk home. Total mileage was approximately 3.5, and time was 49 minutes. Averages out to 14 minute miles. I like to be closer to 12 minute miles, but I am not complaining!

Plan fornthe rest of this week?

Wednesday: either 2.5 or 2.8 miles, depending on the loop I choose
Thursday: same 4.3 miles I did last Tuesday
Saturday: all the way around the lake (its between 5 and 6 miles)

Will keep you posted!

Spring Break: the second half

Being out of town did have a bit of an impact on the workouts the rest of the week, but all was not lost. I did fit in two more workouts. And the were fun!

Thursday night my twin sister and I took the kids to the YMCA for open swim. It was a blast, but holding up an almost two year old who thinks she can swim is no lazy float in the pool! Then Friday morning, I went with nh sister to the water workouts class she foes three times a week. It wasn't too exhausting, but the natural resistance had my arms feeling it the next day.

The rest of Easter weekend was blessed with family time. And lots of food. I did eat in moderation but am still scared to see the scale in the morning. Turning in early after 5 1/2 hours in the car today, and planning for a productive week.

11.6

That is the number of miles I have done so far this week!

Thankfully, spring break doesn't have me down and lazy.

And it sure manes me wish I could always come and go as I please. But alas, next week will be back to work.

Sunday, Ava and I walked 2.5 miles to the park. Chad met us there and then we all drove to Wal-Mart to get some errands done. After supper, I headed out with A again. We did a 2.8 mile loop. I did some running and some walking. Nothing spectacular but a great way to start the week.

Monday flew by. The morning was windy and cold, so I got to doing some things in the house. After supper, I took A to the park. It was a closer one than on Sunday - just 1 mile there and 1mile back.

Today I again spent the morning packing some things and getting ready for a garage sale. Ran around getting some things done this afternoon but headed out when we got home. I did a total of 4.35 miles. Ran most of the first half in 31 minutes. Walked most of the second due to GI issues in 37 minutes. I was a little disappointed to figure out my pace for the first half when I got home. BUT the running felt great and that is truly what matters. Again, I had A with and I really do feel like the stroller slows my pace. At the same time I think it is good. Overall I think my pace is slower, but I tend to run longer. So it balances itself out.

Super happy with how this week has started out. A and I leave to spend the rest of the week with my parents tomorrow. Hoping to keep up this effort though!!

Planning 4/1-4/7

This week I am off for spring break.

That is either going to make for a good start to April because I don't need to be on a schedule, or I am going to get lazy in the life of no structure and traveling.

Sun 4/1: forecasted temps are near 80. Hoping to get out in the morning, and maybe even take Ava with. I promised her we would go to the park. Thinking we can go to a far away one and kill two birds with one stone if you will ....

Mon 4/2: 3 mile run

Tuesday 4/3: strength train and play outside with Ava.

Wed 4/4: most likely leaving for WI. Will shot for an evening walk to stretch the legs.

Thurs 4/5: 3 mile run

Fri 4/6: enjoy family!

Sat 4/7: 3 mile run before seeing my grandma aunts uncles, and cousins!

April Goals

.Get back to a stricter diet

.Do more strength training (at least two per week)

.RUN! Would like to see 10-15 miles of walking and running per week

.Finish the 5k in 36 minutes or less.

.Lose 5 pounds.


Go big or go home, right?


Here's to new beginnings.