Tuesday, March 29, 2011

Click your heels & Get to work!

"I don't think you can become an outstanding runner 
unless you get a certain amount of enjoyment out of the suffering.
You have to enjoy absorbing it, controlling it and - ultimately - overcoming it."  
~Derek Clayton in The Masters of the Marathon
I love the Runner's World Quote of the Day!


If you missed my post over the weekend, this week is one of REFOCUS and RESET.  I've upped my goal (from a 2:05 to a sub-2), revamped the training schedule... and added in a race!!  Yeah, I'm just plain crazy... or else I enjoy that suffering that Derek Clayton mentions above.

So here's what my next five weeks look like.  Yes, I'm kinda obsessive-compulsive over planning and filling in a calendar.  My poor hubby...



So I'm feeling pretty good right now... read into that as "ready" or maybe even "cocky."  But whatever,  I've decided to add in an early Half-Marathon in the schedule.  Say hello Oshkosh!!  It's not really crazy impulsive... I have valid reasons, right?

• After reviewing details for the Illinois Half, I realized the races have staggered starts this year, with full marathon and 10K taking off 10-30 minutes before the Half-Marathon.  Not sure how this will play out, but I immediately think of all the walkers that are automatically in front of me.  It's never easy getting around them and certainly not ideal for conserving energy for a PR...

• The Oshkosh Half-Marathon is fairly cheap entry even last minute like this, small in size, and on my hometown turf.  I always seem to run well on the old stompin' ground. 

• None of my family can make the Illinois Half.  Hubby has to work which means kiddos will go to grandmas.   Not that it's a deal-breaker, but mentally it's motivating to have cheerleaders.  In Oshkosh, I'll have free overnight housing, plus the whole gang there to cheer me on and celebrate when I hit that sub-2.

So I've pretty much made the decision.  The only thing that would alter the early Half is if Wisconsin has a mid-April snowstorm... It is completely possible there!  So with less than three weeks of training until the Half, time to click my heels and get to work...
Do you think I'm crazy to move race day up 2 weeks???

THE GOOD WORD according to Mr. Scale... 
I've been participating in a Biggest Loser contest for the last 12 weeks.  Today was final weigh-in day.  I lost -18.2 lbs total for a 9.9% weight loss.  Hopefully it will be enough to score a money prize tonight!  Not quite there yet, but I'll keep pushing... Hoping to hit 145 by the first day of summer!!

MARK YOUR CALENDAR!
Super excited to announce a virtual race for Easter week... Sign up now for The Jelly Bean!!
Lining up some cool sponsors and prizes right now!
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10 comments:

  1. kimertMarch 29, 2011 at 12:39 PM

    Thanks for sharing the quote!
    Congrats on the weight loss!!!
    And yay, I am totally marking my calendar for the Jelly Bean!

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  2. Diet Coke and a LemonMarch 29, 2011 at 12:58 PM

    Your post makes me laugh because when I try to read your calendar it looks like mumbo jumbo to me. I'm such a rookie still haha

    ReplyDelete
  3. UnknownMarch 29, 2011 at 4:09 PM

    I think you are ready (and smart) to move up your race date. I just feel it's important to pick one of them as THE race and the other as a training race or bonus. I found it difficult to "PR attempt" halfs so close together.
    Good luck! Are you going to become a Half Fanatic too?

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  4. Little Miss RunshineMarch 29, 2011 at 8:05 PM

    Wow congrats on the weight loss!!!
    You are well organized and planned, so I think you know what your body can handle....LIKE THE HALF! :)

    ReplyDelete
  5. AnonymousMarch 29, 2011 at 8:12 PM

    Excellent quote!!
    Congrats on the weight loss, I've been trying to lose 10 pounds for 8 yrs! UGH!!!!!!

    As for the half.. you know inside when you are ready and what you can do!

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  6. The CooksMarch 29, 2011 at 9:15 PM

    It's a great route, remember Oshkosh has not a single hill in it, excluding garbage hill but you're not sledding! :) Hope to see you there.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Jess @ Blonde PonytailMarch 29, 2011 at 11:45 PM

    CONGRATS Jess +18 lbs is outstanding! You obviously have balanced weight loss AND training which is tough to do! Very!

    Sub 2 all the way!!

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  8. ashleyMarch 29, 2011 at 11:58 PM

    i did the same thing with my first half (moving the date up) cause i could never commit to a certain race. i love detailed training charts too!

    ReplyDelete
  9. SarahMarch 30, 2011 at 12:20 AM

    Congrats on your weight loss! Awesome!

    Oshkosh is directly across the lake from me! Enjoy that race! But you're right. A snowstorm in April is totally possible. :l Hope not!

    Sarah
    TheWeatheredWord.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  10. runnergirl trainingMarch 30, 2011 at 1:38 AM

    Congrats on your weight loss progress!!

    ReplyDelete

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