So as I mentioned in my last post, winter runs were going to be interesting....and boy have they ever! Old man winter has been quite harsh in Ohio and to say that I'm sick of the white fluffy stuff is an understatement indeed! I'd say something about moving south, but by the sounds of things even the south has had a harsh winter, if not harsher, than ours. But I have faith...I heard bird chirping out my window yesterday and have smelled quite a few skunks roaming around so Spring is definitely around the corner....right??
So yes running has been interesting...last month I did several runs at the track at Kids America and even buckled to using my mother in law's treadmill. Now I'm sure I've mentioned before my disdain for the treadmill...in fact I lovingly call it the dreadmill...I dread running on that thing...it's just so boring!! But with our harsh weather conditions the dreadmill and I have moved on to a love/hate relationship. I've learned that I really like the treadmill when I'm doing interval training...so much easier to keep track of how far and how fast I'm going so it does make it a little fun. But trust me, The treadmill know the feeling I have for him and there have been a few times when the treadmill kicked my tush...I think just as a way to get even for my disdain for him...but regardless, we have learned to get along and that is a good thing because this winter has been brutal! And I've only used the KA track a few times...it's just such a short track and its usually as cold in there as it is outside...it just hurts my hip too much to keep going in a circle like that for very long, so yes the treadmill and I are learning to play nice.
Though thankfully this week has been a little better weather wise. All my runs so far have been outdoors and how glorious it has been!! Even stepping in ice cold puddles and dodging ice patches...running outdoors will always be my run of choice. So I'm about 6 weeks into my half marathon training and things are going well so far. I'm using this new training plan by Run The Edge which was created by Adam Goucher (husband of famous runner Kara Goucher) and Tim Catalano. I'm using the Ultimate 13.1 plan and I like it...it's kind of fun and cute for an ADD mind like mine. The only drawback for me is that they base their runs on time, not distance. So for instance if it says to do a 60 minute run...for some that mean a 7-8 mile run while for me it means maybe about 6 miles since I'm (cough cough) older and I'm just not all that fast. And if you are going to run a long distance race it's all about getting those miles in....so I may have to tweek this a little but overall it seems like a good program.
So I'm sure you have been frustrated these last several months wondering what my running plans for 2014 are....ok, maybe not, but honestly you haven't missed anything yet. I have no plans until the end of March and then running season will officially be in full gear. So the first race I have planned is the Lady Tutu 5K on March 29th. This is the same race I ran in August, however different venue and I'll not only be running it with my sister, but my aunt is joining us as well. Praying it's not too cold that day! Then I have plans to run the First Step 5K/10K on April 5th...I'll be signing up for the 10K since that will work great with my half training. I do this one every year as it helps those who are victims to domestic violence and bullying. Then of course I will be running for the 2nd year in a row, the Capital City Half Marathon. I absolutely love this half....I don't know what it is but I love running in Columbus and this race is very well organized. If you are looking for a good half marathon, this one is it. Looking forward to running it again. Then my only obstacle race so far this year is the Indian Mud Run. I love this course! Now I may be biased and honestly I haven't done any other obstacle courses, but I have seen what other obstacle courses have and the thing I love most about this course is that is mostly a natural trail course going through the woods. Yes there are plenty of man made obstacles to add to the fun, but the course itself without the obstacles (which I like to run throughout the summer) is tough enough. It's a great little course. Then the last race I plan to run (though I haven't signed up yet) is The Emerald City Half Marathon. This race is also in the Columbus area and I'll be honest...I'm totally doing this one for the bling. They have really cute Shamrock looking medals and the hubby has already told me that I'm doing this race. The only trepidation I have is that it being in August...August is hot...August is humid...and 13.1 miles is long. So we shall see if I commit to it, but that's the plan so far.
So that's it for my running plans for 2014 so far. I've kind of scaled it back a little this year compared to last year, but we shall see what the year holds. I will probably throw a few other races in the mix once info becomes available like the MDA 5K I do every August and the Feed The Need 5K/10K...and I will probably do the Hot Chocolate Run again...but again we shall see what 2014 holds. Until then, this is it.
So what are your running plans for 2014??
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