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Back to Basics-Goals for Part II of 2012



Now that nursing school is over, I can actually take some time and  actually train for the Baltimore Half Marathon in October.  I am excited and already registered as part of the Frederick/Baltimore Double/Double.  I have done Baltimore 4 times with all my times 2:11, 2:17, 2:20 and 2:30.  No need to lie. All running records are public.  I am very honest about my running.  I was happy with those results back then and would be happy with any of them now. 

 Nursing school took an over toll on my fitness.  I know what it takes to train for the Half and am excited about using the time to get to the Baltimore finish line happy and healthy.  I will start with a 5k and work my way up to the Half by October.  Life will still be hectic.  I still have to study for the National Board Nursing Exam and will start my first nursing job in July, but NOTHING can be as insane as nursing school with the shear lack of sleep, bizarre schedules with studying and exams.  No Excuses. I am proud of all I accomplished over the past two years. My last half marathon before nursing school was Chicago 13.1 in 2:27.  When I started nursing school all my times were considerably slower and my running was less enjoyable.  However,  I managed to run a few 5ks, 2 half marathons, lots of fun runs and started cycling while in nursing school. I even did my first duathlon.   I met many wonderful people along my journey and hope to meet more.  I have maintained a little of my fitness from before, but truly need to get back is shape with strength, flexibility and endurance/cardiovascular.  

Yesterday, I took my first strength training class in a while and thought I would DIE-I didn't.  I appreciated the biofeedback.  Now I know what I need to work on.  I have a baseline.  The journey back will be long, but I know I can do it.   I have my heart rate monitor, target zones input in the Garmin, running journal (work on food timing) and plan to feel better during my runs rather than just getting them over with.  

Goals Part II of 2012:

 
I know goals should be SMART-Specific, Measurable, Accountable, Realistic and Time-Oriented. No argument about it.  My goals are more qualitative than quantitative. (Nothing crazy..I am not going to be able to run like the Kenyans by the end of this year...LOL)
  • Increase strength training and hill training to two session per week
  • Feel better running between 13-15 miles (Qualitative)
  • Run up to 20 miles by time Half Marathon come for  psychological/mental confidence to prep for marathon next year.
  • Conquer race anxiety (more on this later, but I suspect this is the cause of my tummy issues)
  • Use 5Ks and 10Ks to practice race conditions for the Baltimore Half* (One 5K per month until October)
  • Build conditioning for first Sprint Tri with swim coach. (This will be accomplished with private coaching.  I can only swim 50-100 meters now and need to build endurance by end of August to 500 meters)
  • Stay injury free and run for fitness and fun (Most important)
  • Continue to meet wonderful people through fitness (Very Important)
  • *Dates and Times for goal races will be forthcoming. (Real life kicks in when you work rotating nursing schedule, but there are doable goals.*
Time Oriented & Realistic
  • Run 5K between 31-27 min (my best time is @23 min) by end of 2012 (Last 5k was May 5, 2012 at 33:07)
  • Run 10k between 1:02-1:06 ( my best time was 55 min) by end of 2012
  • Run 10 miler between 1:30-1:43 (best time was 1:30) by end of 2012
  • Run 13.1 sub-2:30-best time was 2:00 by end of 2012
Continue
  • Positive attitude about life 
  • Healthy eating vegetarian diet, low fat, high carb, plant based protein diet
  • Great BP/HR/Weight/BMI results from physical on May 10th
Improve
  • Try to run with others when I can
  • Strength training
  • Perceived Exertion training
 
And the journey continues.......

~Stayfit & Stay Happy

Stacy
 

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