Happy Monday and the start of another week! I last left you with the fact that I was struggling through last week. I was able to hold it together until Saturday. I crashed and burned on Saturday and Sunday. I didn't do TOO much damage, but it did result in the scale going in the wrong direction today.
Weigh in for this week.....+1.6 lbs. Not great, but still a net loss of 2 lbs since refocusing so I'm over it. The good news is that I did still workout 5 days last week, with several of those workouts lasting 45 minutes to an hour. I really feel like I'm back when it comes to my activity level so that makes me happy.
As I also mentioned in my
last post, I've already started adding back in run intervals during my walks. Last week I built back up to a 2/2 interval and completed 4 miles in 62 minutes (yes, it is VERY slow...I realize). Today I got on the treadmill and did 2/1 intervals. I was able to finish 4.15 miles in 60 minutes so a nice improvement from Friday (the last time I ran).
Last week it started to dawn on me that perhaps I could actually still handle participating in one event during the Cleveland Marathon. I have done this race the last 2 years (the half marathon both times) and was planning to do the half marathon again this year. Then
January happened and that all came crumbling down. My illness took so much out of me, that I didn't even think the 10k would be a viable option. However, now that I've resumed my activity I'm thinking I might be able to do the 10k.
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| 2011 |
It would obviously be slow. But, really, this isn't that much different than usual for me. Last summer when I completed my first
Olympic distance triathlon, I completed the run portion (a 10k) in 1:35:31. My best (and only other) 10k time is 1:17:xx and I would be targeting around 1:30:xx for this 10k as my first race back. The race is 3 weeks from yesterday. I ran/walked 4 miles both Friday and today. That means I only have to build up 2 more miles in the next 3 weeks. I think I can totally do that considering I've built from 0 to 4 miles in 2 weeks. I mean, I really just started exercising again 2 weeks ago. In those 2 weeks I went from walking a 5k in 60 minutes to run/walking over 4 miles in those same 60 minutes. I have been pleasantly surprised at how easily the fitness is coming back. Sure, I'm slow...but I've always been slow. I will likely continue to be slow until this weight comes off and I'm actually starting to be OK with that. At least I'm doing it.
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| 2012 |
What's the worst that could happen?? I don't finish for some reason. I don't really see that happening. Since the 10k is part of the half and full marathons, I don't even think there is a time cut-off, but even if there is it would usually be around a 16 min/mile....that would be just under 1:40. I truly believe that if I could do a full marathon at less than a 15 min/mile, I can do this 10k in less than a 16 m/m. Yes, I'm bigger than I want to be, but I'm only 7lbs more than when I completed the half marathon in Cleveland 2 years ago. I crossed that finish line in 2:56:33 (13:28 m/m).
The more I write, the more I think my decision is made. I guess only time will tell. You'll have to wait until May 19th to find out what I decided!
But, tell me your thoughts....should I do the 10k in 3 weeks??
One question comes to mind....is there an opportunity to do something shorter...perhaps a 5K first?
ReplyDeleteWhere I applaud your desire to get back into the race world, my concern is, again, perhaps it's too much too soon. But then, as a mom, it's my job to worry a little. I'd feel better if the date was just a couple of weeks further out.
That said, I'm glad that you are back in the routine of getting regular exercise! It's not easy after a long hiatus. Keep up the good work.
Mom,
DeleteI KNEW you would be the one to suggest that! :) The 5k associated with the Cleveland Marathon in on Saturday and that doesn't work for me for several reasons...1) the kids have baseball/softball and soccer games 2) a big reason why I want to do THIS 10k is to still be a part of a race I've done the last 2 years, to do the 5k on the day before will take that away. Ok, so maybe just 2 reasons. A third reason though is that I really don't care for the 5k distance. But that's besides the point really. This is why it's been a hard decision for me. I agree - if the race were a few more weeks away (or if I had gotten back on track earlier) than it'd be no question. I could skip this one and do something else in a few weeks, but this race MEANS more to me. Anyway, I think I can do it and too much too soon is my M.O., isn't it?!?!?! ;)
So will I see you at the finish line???
You KNOW how I LOVE that particular day downtown [it being CWRU graduation day as well, making parking a nightmare] but I suppose I can drive to Jeni's and take the rapid. Let me know when you plan to finish :-)
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