Saturday, January 1, 2011

Moonwalking, Race schedule and goals for 2011 because I wanna be different.....

Happy New Year!!!! Mine went entirely different than planned but super fun just the same! Yes-I just looked through the camera and there will be NO pictures posted of this evening......Sad fact is all I was drinking was San Pellegrino with a lime (water that makes you look like your not a party pooper) and still ended up in an elf hat, with 50 strings of beads around my neck doing the moonwalk (I'm quite good at this by the way-ha!) I actually laid in bed until 8:41 this morning. I NEVER sleep past 5:30 am-this was quite a treat!!!

On to more important things! I know, you've just been on the edge of your seats in anticipation of my 2011 race schedule......ummmmm yeah-but here it is anyway!

Race Schedule 2011-So far

March 12-Twin Cities 100% Irish for a Day 10 mile

May 21-Fargo Half Marathon

June 18-Grandma's Marathon

July 1-Firecracker 5K

August 20- Oxcart Run 10K

September 12-Dick Beardsley Half Marathon

October 2-Twin Cities Marathon

I will likely run a couple more local 5K's yet to be determined. The one 5K on my list is a family 4th of July weekend tradition. It is only 2 weeks after my June marathon so I'm not sure how I will feel and I want to run at least one 5K hard. I really want to be smart about recovering properly this time around as I just could not deal with another major injury. I decided on the Twin Cities Marathon in the fall since it's easy travel and we're planning for an extensive trip including the Boston marathon in 2012. Initially, I had planned on NYC this fall but this trip was going to be with my sister and she didn't qualify. No doubt she will soon so that will have to wait until possibly next year!

OK-my goals. Well, I do have some dream lifetime acheivement goals as well as more present realistic goals although I get very apprehensive to put them out there.....I'm essentially a chicken sh*t. As for the present, my biggest goal is to PR in every race distance this year. I don't need to PR in every race, but every distance. Bottom line is if I don't PR, I'm going to run another race the same distance until I do. So, I HATE the 10K. PR the first one and I can be done for the year. Don't PR and I have to run another one.....Simple. OK-this little breakdown is long and likely of very little interest but I'm putting it on paper for my own reference so bear with me.

5K- my current PR 21:20(6:51) is from July 2009. I ran this a week after a half marathon that I finished in 1:42. I didn't wear a watch but at mile one they shouted 6:15. This would mean the next 2.1 miles were over 7:15. Umm-can we say crash and burn-ha.....I haven't run another 5K since (except with my daughter). I've beaten this time in training so I know I can better this. Dream goal-sub 20 but I won't lose ANY sleep if I don't get it this year.

10K-I've only ever run one. PR 45:15 (7:15). This was 6 weeks before the Twin Cities Marathon in 2009 so I was in pretty good shape. The conditions were awful and I've also beaten this time in training so again I know a PR is attainable. I don't even have a dream goal for this distance yet or potentially ever..... 6 miles all out-BLECHHHH! Who enjoys this stuff....

10 mile- Again only ever run one during my Boston training. 1:12:56 (7:17) I ran it during a 63 mile week a month out from Boston. My legs were a bit tired but I gave this race a good effort. This is kind of a tough distance to gauge pace for me. How to start fast enough but not too fast... I'm going to stick with simply the PR for a goal this time around in this distance as well (which may even be a stretch). It's my first race since injury and I don't want to start the year disheartened (isn't that just the sappiest excuse and easy out-I'm very good at that)

Half Marathon- PR 1:37:10. (RR here) I ran this 4 weeks after the Twin Cities Marathon (3:25) and before I began my Boston training. Good effort but I had a little mishap around mile 10. A month after Boston I ran a HM in Fargo. In a nutshell, it was the WORST race of my life. RR here. I punished myself a bit for this and surprisingly broke my hip on the Thursday following the race....Anyway, I will likely make the September half my goal race. I will have to reevaluate as the training gets closer but without a doubt I want to be below 1:35. Dream goal sub 1:30 but that won't happen this year (if it ever happens) and I'm OK with that.

Marathon-My PR in Boston (3:18:37). This is my FAVORITE distance. I also have the biggest dreams for this distance. I'm not sure that I'm ready to put those out there yet, possibly because I wonder at times if they are even realistic.... At times I've wondered if I waited too long to even ATTEMPT to acheive those dreams. I'm 35, no spring chicken. I have to say starting this blog was the best thing ever for my confidence in this area though. I have taken GREAT inspiration from many many people but specifically 3 women who are ALL older than me and have totally killed their training and races as of late! Dream goal-take a guess!

In closing to this ridiculously long uninteresting post, I love this response from Amanda on a previous comment I made to her. "I used to be afraid of failure big time. But now I'm getting better at realizing that some dreams come true and some change and that is okay. :)" I don't know what the future holds for me with running or with life in general! For now, my dreams are my dreams and I'm going to work as hard as I can to acheive them. If they change......

20 comments:

Running and living said...

Love your goals I I honestly believe that you can accomplish them. I think your race goals are spot on - the faster you get at a short distance, the faster you'll get in the marathon. The marathon is really just keeping the pace for a bit longer... I completely agree with the age thing...I have also wondered why didn't I start training and racing earlier in life? But it is what it is, and will make the best of it. I, too, used to set only goals that I knew I could achieve. But I tell you, it is so liberating and human to be able to say, I tried, I did not get it this time, but I'll try again. If I need to give up speed for wisdom, I'll do it any time:) Happy New Year!

Kate said...

What a race schedule! I have no doubt you will achieve your PR goals. It sounds like you are already there in training!!

Happy 2011!!

ajh said...

Great goals. I wonder what your marathon goal is that you are holding close to your chest for now! I bet you can do it!

dawn @ running the dawn said...

now i'm completely behind! ugh. i would love to sit down and figure out my year...but already i feel like that's a long way off...

so i'll live through you and your plans and goals. i love the races that you're doing. looks like a great blend of all different kinds of distances and places. so fun!!!

The Hungry Runner Girl said...

I need pics from last night:) I bet you were the life of the party even though you were sober:) I really have been wondering about your race schedule this year!! I LOVE your PR for each distance idea....brilliant! Girl you are going to get those time! 3:18 on BOSTONS course is crazy. How about you just email me your big goals because I am picturing you and me doing a downhill course (like St. George or something) and getting a sub 3. Want to? K! Loved this post as always! Glad you got to sleep in a little!

Detroit Runner(Jeff) said...

I'd really like to run the Grandma's race someday.

Julie said...

Happy New Year Jenn! I will see you at the TC marathon this year! Let's for sure plan a meet up sometime:)

You are so darn fast!?! I am in awe of your PRs....your half marathon time is amazing! I am still waiting for my 1:50...the longer I go the slower I am:) Hopefully this year I can take a few minutes off of both my half and full PRs.

Good luck with all of your training this year! Cheers to 2011!

Lisa said...

Sounds like an incredibly fun time last night! So glad you were able to indulge a little and sleep in, too! Your race calendar looks great and I look forward to following you as you train! Good luck with all your goals!

Love the comment by Amanda, too - thanks so much for sharing it!

Suzy said...

GL with all the goals you have for 2011!

Melissa said...

Good luck with all of your goals. I think you will nail them!!!

Melissa said...

Good luck with all of your goals. I think you will nail them!!!

Christina said...

You inspire me to want to be better and faster and I'm glad you're not in my age group because you would totally whip my butt. When you do get to be in my age group you'll continue to be the envy of everyone around you.

Here's to an awesome 2011.

ThE MidLiFe CrUiSeR said...

THAT'S your race schedule?!?!? WOW! That would be more like my WISH list :) You are such an inspiration ...seriously! I need to get my booty out running more often. I also need to make running goals. Thanks for reminding me!

Oh, and also thanks for stopping by my blog :) I like making new blog friends!! Especially ones that keep me motivated.

Nellie
http://midlifecruiser.blogspot.com

Nathan said...

I am looking at your post and thinking, "What? She runs a 3:18? I think she can KILL the 10K and 1:30 is NOT unrealistic for the half. Neither are any of the other goals- though I do see you forgot to mention marathon specifics ;) ...

DREAM BIG. I am with Amanda on this.

I predict some major PR's with a comeback.

XLMIC said...

Putting forth the intention is the first and biggest step. You WILL live your dream. Just keep your eye on the prize (that being PRs all around). Best wishes for a wildly successful 2011!

ShutUpandRun said...

I am not just saying this. You have incredible grit and determination. I have no doubt you can do whatever it is you are dreaming to do. You were born to run, girl, it's obvious.

middleagedrunner said...

Exciting race schedule! Sounds like you're ready to kick some major booty...
You know, I think women in the 35-39 age range are the fastest out there. Dangerously fast, as in I cringe to see them more than the high school kids! (I'm 31, middleaged and glad to think that I might not have yet peaked!)

Lauren said...

Ambitious goals but i think you can do it!

Lindsay said...

is your 26.2 dream like mine? i would love to sub-3... course right now i'd love to sub-3:30 to begin with, lol. i'd also like to go sub-1:30 in the half like you, and we have the exact same 10k PR! 10k's do suck. 5k's suck, but they are shorter and half's are a more manageable pace. 10k's, suck. :)

Amanda@runninghood said...

wow, what a post. I'm so glad I found some time to sit down tonight to read blogs. I still need to read your most recent but this was amazing...YOU. ARE. AMAZING! Wow! Fast! And what?! you get up at 5:30...ouch! I can't function that early! But I do remember having to do that when I had to teach and ge the kids to child care before work. So nice to see my name at the end of this! :) thanks and glad you liked my words. You are truly one of the people I am inspired by the most. Good luck to you in 2011! I'm excited to see you GO GO GO!