January 2nd

Yesterday's poor race performance was hopefully just a bad day.  Today's run was much better.  Ran 9.25 miles in a 8:50 pace with the last 2 miles the fastest.  I even did hill repeats at the end.  Felt fresh and comfortable the entire time.

Wicked Frosty Four

Ran the Wicked Frosty Four this morning.  Race time temps were in the low 20s with a feel like temp in the teens with a bit of wind.  Cool temps for sure but I was actually more concerned with overdressing. Felt good before the race but I've been fighting a bit of a runny nose.  Jogged the approximate mile to the start of the race and began to worry that I indeed had overdressed.  Met up with my friend and got to the start line.  First mile I felt great.  Took off from my friend and ran it in 7:11. Mile 2-7:39.  However 2 miles in I felt like I couldn't breathe.  My nose was definitely running and it felt like someone was squeezing my lungs.  Pace started to drop. Should have stopped to catch my breathe and blow my nose but my pride wouldn't let me because no one else was.  I know stupid mistake.  2.5 miles in and approaching a midsize hill my friend passed me.  This really took the wind out of my sails.  I wanted to keep up with her but I just couldn't.  My lungs were definitely hurting.  Finished in 31 minutes (almost 2 minutes slower than last year's time.) Finished with a slower pace than I did running a 5 mile race just a few weeks ago on almost the same course.  Feel depressed and hope that this is not a sign of things to come.  Hoping my less than stellar finish is due to the cold air, my having a cold and probably going out a little too fast.  I'm committed more now than ever to work as hard as I can the next few months and not to worry about others. 

Yesterday I had my first official personal training session. We worked on my back which is incredibly weak, my core and my quads.  I can't wait until I start seeing results.

December 30th

I'll be running the Sugarloaf Marathon in May.  This will be my 4th marathon.  My first was the Country Music Marathon way back in 2006.  Due to circumstances out of my control, I was not able to finish to the best of my ability. Finished in 4hrs 49 minutes. I was able to hike the next day with little discomfort so I knew I didn't put forth my best effort and as a result  I've always regretted that time.  Fast forward to April 2013 and the events at the Boston Marathon.  People would ask me what my time was at the marathon and I would tell them but I always felt it really wasn't MY time because I'm capable of so much better.  Realizing life is too short and I can't live with regrets I decided to sign up for another marathon.  The one that I knew would totally motivate me to follow through with training was Disney.  Signed up in April and completed it in January 2014 in a time of 3:47:49 (which included stopping to take pictures with some of the characters.)  My goal was under 4hrs and I was so thrilled that I met that goal plus some.  I loved every minute of it and I looked forward to signing up for another one.  Immediately signed up for the Maine Coast Marathon and ran that one in 3 hrs 42 minutes.  It was a rogue hot day and I went out way too fast even though I knew much better.  Missed qualifying for Boston by 2 minutes.  It was supposed to be my practice marathon but it still stings quite a bit.   Signed up for the Mohawk Hudson in October but decided not to run because I needed a break.  My break involved basically NO running in August and September.  I'm back to running, started taking boot camp classes again, and rearing to go.