Setting goals helps us make our dreams reality.
Happy New Year friends! Have you made any New Year's running resolutions for 2021? I've set a list of goals for myself and, it's time to get back out there and have fun! I'd bet we're all anxious to race in person after 2020. After the lockdown went into effect, my new job got cut and so I found myself with ample time to train. During my downtime this year, I took the plunge and registered for my first 50k race. That's approximately 31 miles, for anyone just getting familiar with ultra-running distances. Ultras can be 50 miles, 100k, 100 miles, and so forth—it'll be my longest run so far so right now, I feel like I must be crazy!
I spent nearly 3 years wondering if I could race farther than the half marathon distance. With every half marathon I completed, I tried to imagine running double the distance, but I never had the confidence to actually attempt the marathon. Well in 2019, I decided enough with the self-doubt; it was time to set a goal to run my first marathon. I trained for and completed the Rock 'n' Roll Marathon in Las Vegas. I wasn't sure if I'd be one-and-done after the marathon, or if I'd catch the bug! Well, I guess I caught the bug because now I'm diving head-first into training for my first ultramarathon. Actually, I was scheduled to run my first 50k last August, but due to Covid cancellations (stay safe everyone) and some nagging lower leg tightness, I chose to defer the race from August to March to reassess my training. With proper preparation, I’ll hopefully complete my first ultramarathon this March (or "super marathon" as my brother likes to call it) in Lovell Canyon, near Las Vegas and I’m both excited and really nervous!
I intend to plot out my training to generally look like this:
Sunday- weight training, full body and biking or easy treadmill running.
Monday- easy running, or rest day if needed.
Tuesday- this is usually my long run day.
Wednesday- weight training upper body, walking, biking, or rest depending on my long run intensity.
Thursday- easy running with weight training.
Friday- moderate longer run, and core work with my husband.
Saturday- hill run and speed work.
I've been listening to my body more this time around and I've added additional strength training, more stretching, yoga, chiropractic care and massage to my routine to help keep any muscle tightness at bay. The benefits of the added strength training workouts are slowly, but surely, paying off as well! Yay muscles!
For me, this journey is about making progress, developing good habits and learning from my setbacks. More than anything, I'm trying to remember to just have fun! I want to experience the joy of finishing my first 50k injury free, so please wish me luck!
I'd love to hear what keeps you running. What are your 2021 running goals and resolutions?
What brings joy to your running?
Thanks so much for reading and stay healthy.
Opmerkingen