For those who have been following me, (or real life friends who have been listening to me,) I have been ALL OVER THE PLACE recently. I cannot stop talking about P90X, "training" for the marathon, running, working out with the personal trainer, getting a bike to start training for a sprint tri... etc.
It makes me sound sort of crazy wannabe. It is like I am on this high. I am so excited that I have lost 50 pounds and regained my life back. After all, I was a three season athlete in high school (cross county, basketball, and track). I have always been some sort of athlete. I was never girly-girl - that was my twin sister (who was also an athlete but managed to be girly too).
I had an awesome phone conversation with my sister-in-law Kirsten last night. She is super excited that I am running again and we hope to do the Marine Corps Marathon in October together, perhaps with her Aunt too. After my post yesterday about whether I should be working on more miles or faster times, Kirsten gave me the 411 on marathon training. She has run like 12 of them (update: actually, running #17 this weekend) and became an Iron(wo)man this past November - so she is a self made expert in the field if you know what I mean.
Any who, we talked a lot about P90x and its schedule, my long runs, short runs... and my desire to compete in a sprint tri in August (mind you, I do not even own a bike yet and the only spin class I have taken, I walked away in severe pain).
With all of this, I believe I am just trying to do too much too fast. So, I have decided to focus on the completing P90X which should take me through April, and then start the real training for the marathon in May. I will forgo the sprint tri this August (sorry Momof3 - I will still support you though).
I will still be looking into bikes, actually purchase one and all of the accessories that I will need, but not exactly train for the tri. I am okay with this. My goal for this year is to run a marathon. I will adjust this goal come May with the time I would like to finish in, but for now, my goal for 2010 is to complete the marathon.
I will make it a goal for 2011 to complete a tri. Did I mention, I am okay with this?
Also during my phone conversation with Kirsten, I explained to her my knee aches after my runs. This is the knee that my ACL is completely torn. Heeding her advice, I am just going to verify that it is okay for me to be training for the marathon with my doc. He told me that running did not affect the ACL, but I just want him to be aware of exactly what I am doing and adjust if I need to. I do not want to get injured even more and need immediate surgery like I did in June of 08 when my ACL and meniscus tore.
Finally, thank you blog-experts with your advice about more miles or faster times. I think there was a consensus. I so value your advice! I'll keep you posted on what the doc says and be sure to come back tomorrow: I have a review and a giveaway. Clue: "supporting my girls"!
23 comments:
Jen I'm sooo proud of you! I get your excitement completely and we have our whole lives for all of it! Great goals, way to work through it and decide what to focus on. Thanks for posting my name, I'm actually running marathon #17 this weekend! I'm not an expert but I've learned a lot over the years. And one more thing, what if I don't have any "girls?" LOL (at least not that count)
Can't wait to see how you do on the P90X. My fiance and I did it at the beginning of last year and the results were amazing.
Probably smart not to do too many things at the same time. :) My sister and I have been going back and forth from running Marie Corps and Chicago marathon in the Fall.
Sometimes it's good to take a step back and reset your goals. Just make sure you mix it up every now and then to keep your body challenged. Good luck!
Emily
2010in2010blog.com
It can be so hard to make a decision like that, but its definitely for the better. You won't be burned out when the marathon comes around and you can get more experience for next year's tri.
nice job....everything is falling into place. It is going to be a great year!
It is important to review goals and plans ever so often. I call it spring cleaning. Wait, it is almost spring. I need to check my plans.
Good luck at the dr's tomorrow.
I love your excitement! It is so pure and refreshing!! You are doing a fantastic job! Just listen to your body and focus on your goals, it will all work out!
Wow, your SIL is quite the athlete! Awesome that you have her there for advice and support. And I'm glad you've figured out what is going to be best for you this year!
Sounds like you know what you want to accomplish within the next year or two! It's great to have so many goals! I think you are super smart for checking with your doctor first before training for a marathon! Awesome!
It's so hard sometimes to pace yourself when you get excited about something. It's really good though that you are focusing on one thing at a time, sometimes when we try to do too much we can get burnt out. There are a lot of things I wanted to this year but I realized there just wasn't enough time to do it right. I don't want to short change myself by not dedicating enough time to one thing so my focus is the half and then I want to try for a marathon in the fall. Like you, I want to do a tri but that will have to wait till 2011.
ou weight loss as been incredible - and you look absolutely fab in the black dress!! Keep up the good work!! And keep rocking that P90x!!!
glad you found the answer you were seeking, although I am bummed about the Tri. I was really hoping to meet you there!
Sounds like a great plan! I am happy you are embracing it.
Can you tell me the details of your ACL and meniscus injury and surgery? My hubbs had the same issue and surgery last April and is still in pain. I question what was done. When you have time shellyrm (at) yahoo (dot) com. Thanks!
~sniff~, It's OK, Asthma and the Gift of Running is a therapist so maybe she can help me get through the sadness that we'll not be tri-ing together.
Why not come run RIC marathon instead of the MCM? You knowwwww you want tooooo. (peer pressure via blog post). I'm already registered to run RIC, or else I would consider MCM. So. Just incase MCM fills or something, you can always come run America's Friendliest Marathon right here in the capital of the Confederacy. OH- by the way, RIC finish is all down hill.
MCM is on Halloween this year--the only reason I'm not doing it as the kids would not take kindly to be away for trick or treat.
I find it so interesting how some jump head first into big-time training while others proceed much more cautiously...not that either approach is better or worse. Glad you're finding what works best for you!
I too sometimes pile my plate too high with things I want to do. I think you've made the smart decision to space things out. Nothing wrong with having goals in the future!
My compression tights are CW-X. I don't know how much of a difference the kind makes.
this sounds like a very wise decision. i'm sure it's tough to put it on the back burner and wait another year, but it will pay off - you'll be that much stronger for the tri next year! i have trouble focusing on just 1-2 goals too -- i can get caught up in trying to do everything at once all too often. keeping your goals in check will help keep you from getting stretched too thin (in the bad way) :)
Smart decision. I get excited too and load up everything at once, get burned out, then quit. You are doing the right thing.
Good decision! It's hard only doing one thing at a time, but better than getting burnt out or injured.
that's a tough call, but I think you made the right decision. I think it's great about how gung ho you are about everything!
Sounds like a good decision. It's great to be excited, but don't hurt yourself.
The Marine Corps Marathon is awesome! Totally worth training through the hot summers around here (once anyways...)
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