Can't believe it is 2013, a year where my oldest daughter is turning 10 and I am already one month into Around the Bay training. Crazy. I thought I would share an update on my goals for the year and the training so far.
So I have been reading that most runners (I have finally become somewhat comfortable with calling myself a runner) should state two main goals for the year so here goes.
Goal number one was an easy one and one that I stated last year. To run the ATB race again and improve my time but most importantly improve my experience. Last year was such a tough experience with the cramping and such but looking back I don't believe I was where I should be in terms of training. This year I will be.
Goal number two is the "big" one. Sunday, October 13 - the Chicago Marathon. Let's do it. I have been on the fence on doing a marathon but that little voice inside my head has been telling me to do it, and if I am going to do it let's go big with 45,000 people. The training program I am in now is amazing in that so many people have ran a marathon (most mulitiple) and the runs we are doing are totally giving me confidence that I can do it. Registration is in February and last year sold out in 6 days so I will be online the day it goes live. 42.2 kms should be fun and if all goes well the deep dish pizza after will be even better.
Those are the two "big" goals for the year. There are certainly other races I want to run including the Bunny run with the girls on Easter weekend, the Toronto 10km in April, a yet to be determined half marathon in May, the Toronto 10 miler in August are a few that I am thinking of. Should be a busy year but for sure the focus in on the ATB and (fingers crossed) Chicago.
As for the training program with the group, all that I can say is wow. Seriously wow. I have been through 3 long runs (up to 19km) which also include one minute hard pushes built into the runs, my first hill training which showed me I really didn't train on hills last year, and my first interval training session which showed me I really didn't do intervals last year. December alone I put in over 160kms (or around 110 more kms that last year). The monthly challenges add to the program to say the least. The support is awesome and even though you are running with someone who has run 5, 10 or 35 marathons, you don't feel out of place. We are averaging four runs per week, which will increase soon but so far the legs still feel great so let's go!!!!
