Friday, August 9, 2013

Progress is encouraging

44 DAYS TO GO!!


After last weeks 18 miler I was on top of the world and subsequently began questioning everything. It's such a weird place to be- really happy and lacking confidence all at the same time regarding the same thing.

Am I doing enough?

Simple answer: Yes. absolutely.

I have 100% trust in my Coach, Britt. Last year, the training plan she created for me yielded a 25 minute PR! With her plan, I know I am doing exactly what I need to be successful and most important: remain injury free by not over training.

Will I hit my goal?

Simple answer: Absolutely. (See above)

As long as the temperatures are as close to "ideal" as possible, I see no reason not to surpass my goal.

What shoes/outfit/nutrition will I use for race day?

Simple answer: I already know but need to embrace it.

Newton Distance shoes. Currently they have 150 miles and will probably have 260+ by Fox Valley. Should I buy a new pair for the race?


Outfit. I just bought it- as long as its more than 40 degrees at the start, I'm set.

Nutrition. Over the next 6 weeks I'll hammer down pre race breakfast. Other than that, I know what works for me during the race.

Why am I training for a Boston Qualifying time? #FVMBQorBUST!

Simple answer: Because I want to run it a 2nd time, this time as a qualifier.


I watched my Daad fulfill his lifelong dream to BQ back at Rock n Roll Arizona 2010, and in 2011 (by an extraordinary turn of events) I got to run Boston with him. The Boston Marathon is not my final destination, but instead a pit stop on the way to other goals, both running and non running.


The day my Daad got his BQ.

Ive come a long way.

To quell my lack of confidence, I took a look at my athlinks results recently.

5k


St Paddys Day Dash, March 2010

5k PR (May 2013) 22:13 7:09/mile
5k (July 2008) 27:10 8:44/mile
A difference of 5 minutes.

It's crazy to think that all my PRs (from 5k-Marathon) have a faster pace than 8:44/mile currently)


Half Marathon


My "1st" 13.1- San Jose RnR

Half PR (6/2013) 1:46:09 8:06/mile
"1st Half" (10/2008) 2:09:51 9:54/mile

I've taken nearly 24 minutes off of my half marathon time. I know that number will fall even more when I can do a race with "good" conditions.



Marathon
PR Marathon (9/2012) 3:40:18 8:24/mile

1st marathon 11/2002 5:26:06 12:26/mile

Ive taken 1 hour 45 minutes off of my 26.2 time!


The first marathon I trained for- Nike Womens Marathon 2010, San Francisco where I ran a 4:30.

I didnt train at all for that race in 2002. But I have take off over 50 minutes from the Nike Womens marathon I did in 2010, which I trained for.


To see how much progress I've made in a few short years is encouraging and I know I've got a long way to go before I hit a plateau.

In all aspects of my life I strive for excellence even though I know I will never be the worlds best [fill in the blank]. I love the thrill of the challenge and satisfaction of achieving more than I thought possible.


Progress is so freaking encouraging.

- xaar

27 comments:

  1. This is a great post. I really like looking back over my races and seeing where I've improved too. And it's also awesome knowing that there's more to come.

    I spotted you on your long run last week coming over the river after Navy Pier (I'm guessing it was toward the end of your run) - you looked super strong! You should definitely be feeling positive about FVM.

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    1. Thank you:) you should have said hi! Although I should have said hi because I was 90% sure I recognized you too.

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  2. YES YES YES! I have no doubt that you're on your way to your BQ. It's GOING to happen. And then we're going to drink ALL THE BEERS to celebrate! :)

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    1. AbsoFreakingLutely! Beers in 6 weeks. Yes ma'am! :)

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  3. you are rocking your training and I'm glad to know that you are feeling awesome during this training cycle! I'm so excited to hear all about Fox Valley in a little over a month and how you killed it! :)

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    1. Thank you! I hope to have a great day in September :)

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  4. Awesome girl!! You are killing it!!! Gotta love athlinks! Constant reminder of how far we've come!! :)

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    1. Yes! It's great (especially when in a funk) to look back and see the progress that was easily forgotten. :) thank you for the encouragement :)

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  5. Yay! I love your analysis. Three PRs in less than a year. Nice. The data says it all: You are well on your way to the BQ!

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    1. Thank you :) technically 5 PRs... Shamrock 8k and soldier field 10 too this year ;)

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  6. I can't wait to see you at Fox Valley! I love Coach Britt..I only reap her free coaching in our walk to run program..but she helped me run 30 minutes without stopping!! And she thinks V makes our runs more fun *lmao*

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    1. Can't wait to see you again too! You're doing wonderfully with your training and V is kicking butt too!!

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  7. Awesome!! it's fun to see how far we've come. And I'm curious to see where else we go!

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    1. Yes! For us, the sky is the limit.. Ok well maybe not entirely true, but we have a lot of butt kicking years left in us!

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  8. You are going to do amazing things - I just know it! I always love following your training because you work so damn hard and I can't wait to see you OWN that BQ!

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    1. Thank you :) I'm inspired by your love of all those classes you take! I doubt I'd last 10 minutes in those :)

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  9. You have made tremendous progress! I agree with Pete, the data says it all. You will BQ at the Fox Valley marathon.

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  10. It's good to reflect on what you're doing - and you should be able to rock the Fox Valley Marathon! You've got not only the physical training, but the planning down, and the mental stuff going well too!

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    1. Thank you! I tend to over analyze but maybe that's a little good for a marathon? :)

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  11. I love the confidence in this post! I wish we could all embrace the moments where we see our progress and know our skill is from effort, not luck!

    Keep it up!!

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    1. Yes. You are so correct in saying our skill is from effort, not luck. I love that! Must remember that for the future :)

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  12. Your progress isn't only encouraging, it is freaking awesome. You have shaved so much time off of your marathon. I have no doubt in mind that you are going to have a kick as* race in less than 44 days. Love your confidence, determination and desire to succeed. Your confidence in the training will get you far my friend. Great job!

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    1. Thank you lady! I think having confidence is a huge force in these distance events-if we are successful or not. Staying in a good mindset also makes the training a lot more fun for me too :)

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  13. wow! just wow. love your attitude these days. it's inspiring and touches my heart. you have a really beautiful spirit, really draws people in.

    think that those newtons should last through the mary. usually you don't need to consider getting a new pair until the lugs are almost entirely flat with the rest of the sole. but the distance is different since the heel isn't as reinforced as their other models. you should be able to get 500+ miles out of them. some people even go 1000-2000 miles before they need to get a new pair, wear usually depends on overall efficiency. think you'll be good. maybe. hopefully.

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  14. And that is why we blog... or, er.. have athlinks! To look back at our progress, because DAYUM, how inspiring is that?! I am so excited for FVM this year! If that relay trip gets the can, I am SO TOTALLY there. It was a blast watching you last year :)

    How many miles do you normally put on the Newtons? Have you thought about getting another pair to swap out between the two until the race?

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