Week 3 Recap

Man....this is tough!! I feel a bit defeated, exhausted, loved, stronger, inspired, and more driven to push through! THIS IS HARD WORK! I do not want anyone to think otherwise! It takes so much desire, internal drive, and cheering to keep me going. There are a few people out there that really make this possible, family being #1!! My husband and kids are so supportive of this dream and motivate me when my levels begin to drop. The thing about these wonderful people around me is they get it!!! They know I WANT THIS,  and when my head begins to drop and my confidence runs low there they are. They can't do it for me (and oh man some days I wish they could) but they cheer me on and push me to achieve my dreams. It wouldn't matter if it was a run, to climb a mountain, or paint a picture. They love me and support me chasing a dream. What is life without a dream? It doesn't mean you are tied to it but it means you push when its hard, you overcome obstacles, and you show yourself that you can do all things! I have overcome some crazy obstacles in my life and imagine that there will be many more in the future, but what happens when you push through and put in hard work to achieve something is you know that no matter what obstacles lie before you they are just things that build strength, character, and inspire others.

The PLAN:
Speed: 400@618, 600@620, 800@624, 1000@628, 1200@632
Tempo Run @743
Long Run 17 miles
XT days x2

Downfalls:
Ahhhh speed better but not hitting the mark yet :)
Baseball tourney kinda messed with schedule this week


Highlights:
OYB did some serious speed and improved from last week (only 15-20 seconds off each of these times above!!!)
Tempo run hitting 8's easily now!
Long run 15 mi was at my last MP so not to shabby for now
Ran a 730 mile and didn't feel I was going to die!

Overall feelings this week:
I FEEL STRONGER!!
I feel a bit faster and more confident (only a little right now)
I am still ready to push, fight, and work hard to make this goal happen!!

We all need dreams and I am thankful for those of you around me that "like my posts", follow this blog, and text me about how it went! You give me strength when you may not realize. I found endurance and I hope that each of you out there can find your inner drive!  You can do anything you put the work into folks. I am proof! :)

So for now I will just.....

KEEP MOVING FORWARD AND KEEP CHASING BOSTON

 

 

Week 2 Recap

Week 2 is done and now in the books. I think fear is still lingering at this point but more wondering if my body is capable of this crazy time goal I have put on myself. I think you really have to stay mentally focused on this target and YOU really need to want it. It can't be for someone else YOU need to remember all the reasons you are out there on those days that seem to be filled with excuses.

The PLAN:
Speed 4x800s at 624
tempo 7mi at 800
15mi long run
Plus 2 xt days

Downfalls:
still not at this speed level for week 2
went camping this weekend so traded the long run (which I know I can do) for a LONG bike
CRAMPS :( BOOOOOO

Highlights:
I KICKED BUTT AND DID A 4X800 WORKOUT AT 653 (BEST SPRINT SPEED EVER!!)
Got a great 18.5 mi bike in
extra 5k after speed
extra sprints after easy run this week

Overall feeling this week:
Still on the fence about this thing. I feel a tiny bit more confident but only a few seconds gained so far.

KEEP MOVING FORWARD AND KEEP CHASING BOSTON!!!

 

 

Week 1 Recap

Well week 1 had it's ups and its downs....

Fear and self doubt are filling my head this week. I can't do this. Why do I even care or want to do this? Running is JUST a hobby...why bother (Yes, lots of people say this about what I do all the time)? WHY????

Well,here is why.....I CAN! I am able to run when so many can't. Running is soooo much more than a hobby. It is difficult to even begin to explain to someone who does not know what complete inner peace feels like. This is how I feel each time I head out in the morning. Inner peace comes from many things but for me it is found right here. I think, I pray, I reflect, I plan, and I let go of all my struggles when my feet hit the pavement. It is much more than a hobby and has taken me through some of the most difficult trials I have ever endured as of yet. It is what holds my crazy world together many days.

So, marathon is done and second is now a memory too....what next!? Yep Boston it is!! To know that I just recently took off 40 minutes off my time in only 6 months blows my mind. I have a LONG HARD road ahead over the next 16 weeks. I have to take off another 36 minutes to get well enough under my age group qualifying time that I can even go next year. Official time I am shooting for is 3:30! omg just typing that scares me.
FEAR...such a wasted emotion! I guess that brings me to my main purpose for this Boston Dream. I want to show anyone that reads this but mostly myself that FEAR is pointless! We are capable of ANYTHING if we work hard! It never happens overnight...we would not really care about it if it came that easy. I am documenting this trip to show you that you can do it! You just need a goal, a plan, and someone to help cheer you on as you struggle. you will struggle. I will struggle, but I know I have a support system of wonderful people who cheer me on this journey. It really is about the journey not the race. The race is the destination, but how I get there...that is the best part!!

so... week 1 workouts:

Speed: 3x1600m sprints at 7:02
Long Run 13 miles
Tempo Run 5 miles

Highlights:
-RAN MY FIRST 7:02 MINUTE MILE!!! (I have not done this since high school and even then I think it was slower!) 
-NOT ONLY 1 7 MINUTE MILE BUT 2 1/2
-Long Run pace picked up a few seconds

Downfalls:
-Only got 2 1/2 of the mile sprints done...the last was too much
Tempo run didn't really go as planned only 2 miles not 5

Overall feelings this week:
SCARED
EXCITED
IN A RUSH TO BE THERE LOL :)

Well that is it for now week 1 down and in the past. Beginnings are always scary but I am hopeful that this journey will teach me even more about myself than I think it will. Have a great day and make it count because you never know when that time clock will be over!

KEEP MOVING FORWARD AND KEEP CHASING BOSTON!!

The Journey Begins

Each journey begins with one small step!!!
This blog will document my journey to qualify for the Boston Marathon ideally in 16 weeks! I will post the good, the bad, and the ugly truth of this adventure. Life is more about the journey than the destination anyway. Its going to be a ride!!