Remember when I announced I was taking a short break from running this summer?
Sure, I didn’t stop running altogether, but I seriouly downgraded my mileage and ran when and how I felt like … no plans, no requirements, no feeling like I had to do it.
So over the last 4-6 weeks, I ran, maybe, 8 miles a week. Sometimes I did speedwork and intervals, sometimes I did tempo runs, and sometimes I did a leisurely jog. And slowly I began to remember what it is I enjoy about running in the first place.
Because somehow, along the way, I began to view running as a job, a chore, content for my blog, rather than something I do for me.
And it’s funny. After a few weeks of this strategy, I began to fantasize about racing. I am an ambassador for the ZOOMA Half Marathon in Cape Cod in late September, but I started researching other fall races to add to my calendar (more to come on that).
I started to miss those long — and sometimes painful — runs, that feeling of accomplishment after running 9 or 10 or 11 miles.
I think I’m ready to jump back in.
And so last week I unofficially kicked off training for ZOOMA. I’m still trying to determine what my goals are for that race, which may be determined by what other races I am adding to my October schedule, but I don’t think I’m as concerned with PRs this time around.
I think, instead, I want to run a smart race and — most importantly — have fun … regardless of what time is on the clock as I cross the finish line.
So that brings me to my training plan.
I usually create and post my half marathon training plans here (Run to Remember 2013 and 2014, Baystate), which I hang on my refrigerator and follow to the letter, but I’m not going to do that this time around.
Instead, I’m loosely following the Runner’s World Smart Coach Plus app, which only has you running three times a week. Unfortunately, it’s a 16-week plan, so I’m jumping in halfway through, and I’ve had to adjust the long runs (I did 8.5 on Sunday instead of the 9 they recommended, knowing I hadn’t run more than 5 miles in at least a month), but I really like their interval and tempo runs.
Training is going to be a little tricky this month, thanks to a planned weekend camping trip and at least one weekend when I’ll be on my own with the kiddos and will need to find a babysitter so I can go out for a long run. But I’m trying to be a little less Type A and more go-with-the-flow about it as I remind myself, again, that this is supposed to be fun (at least some of the time!).
I’ll keep you posted on my progress and will let you know if I end up adding anything else to my fall schedule (maybe a second half marathon? Hmmmm.)
Kaella (KaellaOnTheRun) says
Good luck with your training! I’m training for my 4th half this September. I have a plan I made up (based on other plans I did) and it’s hard to believe I’m half way done! Some plans I follow every single run perfectly but, because it’s summer and I have a toddler who likes to keep me on my toes, I’m just doing my best with this one and fitting in runs when I can!