Monday, August 15, 2011

Taper Week and New Goals

I didn't get much of a chance to rest from my King's Peak trip.  I have the Hobble Creek Half Marathon this weekend.  This last week of training included my last long run.

I did a 12 miler on Saturday.  It was really a different type of long run for me.  The first few miles were rough.  It could have been due to many factors including, 5 hours of sleep, not the best meal the night before, and being a little wore out.  But I made it!  It helps being dropped off 12 miles away from home and the only way to get back is to put the miles in. :) The middle part of the run went well.  Even though the last few were a little rough as well, I was getting close to home and knew I could make it.  I have found that these long runs are not just important to build up mileage, but also to train how to do nutrition and hydration as well.

This week is a taper week.  It came at a good time.  I need to back off a bit anyway.  The weeks of training and a ton of other stuff going on has wore me down a bit.  I felt pretty good on my four miler today.  I tried not to push too hard and just kept it at a pace that was comfortable.  As a result I was able to finish strong which is always a good feeling.

Now on to another important subject.  Now that I have completed my Three Peak Challenge, I need to have a new goal.  I have given this much thought.  I have toyed with the idea of doing a marathon.  But with training for two half-marathons, I realize that I am pushing myself running longer distances at the weight that I am at now.  If I want to complete a marathon, I need to get down to my goal weight.  So here is my next challenge and the steps I need to take to get there.

Goal - Complete the Ogden Marathon on May 19th, 2011.


Steps I need to take to make it happen.

  1. Get to 175 lbs by December 31st.  If I am not, I cannot run in the marathon.
  2. Sign up for the Marathon.  If I am on track on November 1st weight wise, I will sign up.  If not, I can't sign up until I am on track.
  3. Start 18 week training on January 16th.
  4. Track everything that I eat from September - December.  This has worked every time I have done it in the past.  It's a bit of a pain, but it works.
  5. Stay accountable on this blog.  I will post my weight and progress each week until I hit by weight goal and am signed up for the marathon.
It seems funny to me that I am preventing myself from running or signing up for the marathon unless I am where I need to be.  Almost like a punishment!  But I really would like to try.  If I am not on track, it will be a miserable experience for me and I don't want that to happen.

Getting this written out, has gotten me even more excited about my plan.  I am going to do this!

Hang in there and I will too!


4 comments:

  1. If anyone can do it, it'll be you. You have proven that you can set the goals you have acheived. I think it is a great idea to give you the insentive to loose the rest of your weight. I have to do that as well. I too have decieded I need to be a little more strick with my diet. I was starting to slip as in eating too much and eating too much sugar again. So I am going to do better as well. I love you and am proud of what you have done so far. Keep it up dad.

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  2. You can do this Bruce. I know you can, I have faith in you. Lots and lots of faith.
    I won't be going anywhere's, just to my regular blog that will incorperate my health blog so I'll be around to see what you're up too and how things are going and maybe you can pop in once in awhile to see how I'm doing.
    Take care and have a safe and blessed week. Good luck!!

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  3. You are an inspiration to me, Bruce. Please keep it up!

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  4. Like your goals. Seem reasonable. I know that my weight loss this summer is due to the fact that I am tracking my food. It was eye opening and necessary.

    Your mileage chart is amazing! have a great weekend! Michele

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