"You are the person who has to decide. Whether you'll do it or toss it aside; you are the person who makes up your mind. Whether you'll lead or will linger behind. Whether you'll try for the goal that's afar. Or just be contented to stay where you are." Edgar A. Guest
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A fun run with family!
Since last September, when I ran my first marathon, I have continued to run races and have been enjoying a wonderfully long injury-free stretch! I am so grateful...really, really grateful (please don't think I'm tempting you, injury gods).
For those who don't know, I started running a little over three years ago at the age of 50. The main goal initially was to improve my cardio to help with my severe asthma. I completed my first half-marathon in May 2010 in 2h21m?s (there's a point to why I'm giving you my finish time). I then went on to complete two more half-marathons that year, then again the next May (for each one of those, I had registered for the marathon, but injury prevented me from completing my training). I finally ran my first (and only so far) marathon in September 2011. Since then, I have run three more half-marathons with my last one being in September 2012 in 2h17m55s!
So, six half-marathons and one marathon later, my time has improved by a grand total of 3 minutes and some seconds. Now, I admit that my training program has been more of a maintenance type program. I was running 3 to 4 days a week and using time instead of kms, which means that I never had that much mileage under my belt. Still, I figured that not being injured and being able to actually get through almost all the runs in my program should have helped a little more than a 2 minute PR (last race). I guess not. I know I'm 53 and a half years old and that most people lose speed at my age, they don't improve. But, since I just started not so long ago, I thought I'd still have a bit of room to grow, right?
Therefore, now that my body seems to have adapted to running and is not so easily injured, I have decided that I am going to try and ease out of my comfort zone (not somewhere I especially like to visit) and try to aim for a PR. I have found this great program that is geared towards this exact goal. However, it requires me to run 5 or 6 days a week. Therefore, over the last four weeks, I have been running more often in order to prepare my body for this new program. So far, it's going well :)
My training program starts the week of November 18th and lasts 23 weeks. I am registered for the Scotiabank half-marathon on April 28th, 2013 in Montreal and best of all...my daughter is now a runner and will be training (not the same program) to complete her first ever half-marathon at this same race!!! I'm super excited!
I'm hoping that by following a more intensive program, as well as joining the gym again (giving me access to a treadmill on those icy freezing days) and encouraging me to do more core work, will allow me to reach my goal of a true half-marathon PR.
So, that's why I'm back...as with the marathon, I want to keep a journal of my journey towards this new goal. We'll see how it goes!
Cheers!
11 comments:
So nice to see you back! Good luck with your goal. I have found that as much as I hate them a speed day works well for helping me meet a goal. My program I use when I use one does speed workouts one week and tempo the other. I have reduced my running to 4 days a week and that seems fine. (I'm busy biking and swimming these days!)
Anne!!! Quelle bonne nouvelle!!! Je ne connais pas ce programme, j'espere que ca va etre un un succes pour le demi a Mtl!!! Good to have you back here!!!
Welcome back. It's great to hear that you're still running and you have a great goal. It'll be good to follow along with your training.
Awesome Anne! I've been following you on Daily Mile as well as I could with my non-French knowledge. This is very exciting and also that your daughter will be running the race as well. Welcome back!
Nice to see you back! Sounds like a great goal, and can't wait to follow you through it.
The program I used was similar to Andrea's. I do think that the speedwork days really impact your overall pace. They're fun, too...it's not so bad to run fast when it's only for 1/2 mi to a mile!
Welcome back! Can't wait to cheer when you hit that goal! :)
Anne it's so good to have you back! All the best with your new goal. Can't wait to follow your journey!
I am a lifelong asthmatic myself and actually began running in response to an asthma attack. Even after 32 marathons, 40 triathlons and 30 years of endurance sports, I still have it and take meds for it. Must be my "thorn in the flesh to keep me humble." I wish you the best in your journey. It is a geat life, isn't it?
marvin
http://milesofthejourney.blogspot.com/
So funny, because I was just thinking about you because of the running and asthma, which is what I've been dealing with right now! The doctor just put me on prednisone, and it has helped. Of course, I pay attention to my asthma triggers, but you know how it is, asthma happens. Anyway, I'm glad to be reading about your training again!
HUGS
It's great to hear you are back running and you have planned to reach a new goal! We, people who are over 50, can improve slightly :)
Glad to hear about your daughter's first half marathon ... next year you will be with her on the starting line.
I'm so glad that you let me know that you are back! Even better that your running and life is going so well. Can't wait to catch up on the story!
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