I hereby proclaim 2010 to be
THE YEAR OF JOYFUL RUNNING!
Here’s how my plan is shaping up.
Marathons: Go Big or Go Home
This is the first time I’ve ever planned on 3 in a year, although my chances of getting into NYC are iffy at best.
Boston Marathon. April 19: Cannot believe I’m going. AGAIN!
Chicago Marathon 10/10/10: The rematch. The last time I ran this fantastic race it was fantastically HOT, as in triple digit heat index. It was my first marathon and I vowed I’d never run another one. The time has come to give this one another shot.
New York City Marathon, November 7! (Lottery willing) That’s right folks I’m in the lotto. If I’m not picked this year, at least the clock is ticking, I’ll be guaranteed a spot in 2011 or 2012.
1/2 Marathons: The Final Frontier
As I mentioned in yesterday’s running year in review, I failed to reach my goal of running a 1/2 marathon up to my potential. Will be 2010 finally be the year?
March Madness 1/2, 3/21: This was my first 1/2 ever back in 2007. It’s hellaciously hilly and tough with dicey weather to boot. I was mortified when I showed up for this race and everyone had on a Boston jacket. Who’d ever have thought I’d be sporting the unicorn one day? It is the perfect Boston tune-up though because its layout emulates the Beantown course ie late hills.
Chicago Rock n Roll 1/2 8/1/10: I’ve never done a R&R event and I’d like to. But I choke on the hefty price tag, for some reason I’m ambivalent on this one. Will this be the year I bite the bullet?
Something New
MetLife Duathlon, 6/27: I’ve been riding Blanche the trusty road bike for years now. But I’m still not confident on her. Like really confident. I take her for a spin now and then but nothing really intense. Plus I have no clue when I should be shifting and all that stuff. I’d like to make this the year I become a more accomplished (strong word) cyclist.
TBDs
I am completely up in the air on shorter races at this point. I will fill in the racing roster with some short, hopefully sweet efforts as the spirit moves me.
The Plan
I’ve used the FIRST training plan for all 4 of my marathons so far. In 2010 I plan on using it again but adding a proprietary (ok maybe not so proprietary as I’m going to share it) blend of additional running to hopefully build a little more endurance so I’m not choking and sputtering (as much) in the late miles of long races.
- Instead of being a slug and taking a SRD, I’m going to add a short recovery run the day after my long run.
- I’m toying with the idea of a mid-week longish run (10 miles or so). However where exactly I’ll get the time to do this remains to be seen.
Goals
Have fun
Finally run a 1/2 marathon up to my potential
Have fun
Avoid injury
Did I say have fun?
Disclaimer: The author may very well be a lying sack on this next goal. Consider yourselves warned.
In 2010 I plan to run my marathons for enjoyment, rather than for another BQ. In those agonizing final miles at Columbus last fall in between the swearing, I made mental note after note to myself about how I would never push so hard again. If someone would have whipped out a contract as I passed by, I would have been all over it agreeing never to go for the BQ again. However if by some act of divine intervention a BQ is not agonizingly difficult but enjoyable, I reserve the right to reconsider.
There you have it, lots of it excites me, some it scares the crap out of me, but that’s how goals should be I think. Ok gotta keep plugging away on gift wrapping….have a great day!
wow what a lineup! And great goals 🙂 I'm using the FIRST plan for my next marathon…hoping it gets me closer to Boston 🙂
wow impressive! great plan & goals. i think that goals should scare the crap out of you so youre doing something right there 🙂
Wow, you are going to be one busy lady in 2010!! I love that you are planning on having fun. If not for fun, what is it for?
Wow! You have alot going on! I think your goals rock! Especially the having fun part … I think we all get a little too competitive with ourselves … oh, wait. Maybe that's just me.
As for Rock N Roll – I did the on in VA … and I don't really think it was worth all that $$. If you are dying to try one, I say go for it. If not, then spend your money elsewhere!
Those are some great races for 2010. I love the idea of running Chicago on 10/10/10!
very exciting!!!!!!!!!!!!! that's awesome you will be at boston– i will cheer you on for sure! i need to make some serious signage 🙂
i would like to run more half marathons, and more shorter races. i think racing often is a great way to improve your race times. you can't PR at all of them but i'm sure they are all accomplishing something.
2010 here we come…
I am amazed at your plans. I can't WAIT to read all about these races!
oooh! some big plans!
What a great plan! I am using the FIRST plan as well. A bunch of friends ran the R&R Chicago race last year and loved it. Happy Holidays!
Wow Chicago is ON 10/10/10!! That is so cool! I have been loving the past few years of dates with all the same numbers! Looks like fun! Hope you get into NYC!
Ooo, can I have a year of joyful running too! I want to run Chicago as well 🙂 And try FIRST. I need to stick to only running 3x a week, no matter how sad that makes me. I will have to live through your running schedule!
Wow! A big year ahead!! I also have the 1/2 Rock n Roll in Chicago on my calendar for 2010! Maybe I will see you there! It is a hefty price, but I'm using it as an excuse to go back to my hometown and see some friends and family! Good luck! Can't wait to hear if you got into the NYC!!!
WOW! That is a lot of marathoning! Go Girl!! I hope to complete my first in October, but will be looking to you for inspiration! Way to go!
You are going to be busy! I've only planned on 2 races in 2010 so far. The rest is up in the air. Love that you say that your goals should be a little scary. I totally agree!
You have a fantastic year planned!! Will keep my fingers crossed that you get into NYC! That would be amazing!
it's going to be a great year girl! good luck on the du. i've got plenty of tri's planned for next year, but i haven't stepped into the du yet.
Those are some great races, you're going to have an awesome year! I'll be with you in Boston and am thinking most likely Chicago, too. You can always try to qualify for NYC also with your half marathon – I missed it by 11 seconds this year :(. Have a GREAT holiday and I look forward to sharing your journey in 2010!
i love your goals/race brainstorming! i'm definitely one of those people who has to see how the schedule plays out before officially deciding, but i make a (long) list of races and cross off a few of them here and there.
AMAZING! I am so inspired to run more runs in 2010!