"When I do the best I can with what I have, then I have won my race." Jay Foonberg



Thursday, March 31, 2016

Mileage is the Name of the Game

I entered a 100-Mile Challenge in January and shortly thereafter saw another challenge of 1,000 miles for the year.  So, I hopped on those trains and left the station.  The first quarter is "down" and I am feeling pleased with my progress.  Yes, I said QUARTER!  Here are the numbers:

January - 112.43
February - 114.62
March - 122.58

For a year-to-date total, this adds up to be 349.63 miles for three months.  I am very realistic and at times feel pessimistic; in saying this, that I do know things will come up and change your well-planned schedule.  It could be weather [and yes, if it's bad enough I don't even want to get out and go to the gym], illness, injury, company, special events and sometimes you just don't "feel like" doing anything and need some extra rest.  Don't give up!  Do what you can and it will all pan out for the good.

Yes, I've felt good this quarter and, yes, I've been injured and struggled to get back "up" again.  But I haven't quit!  Regardless of how hard things can get, how discouraged I get with my progress or ability or how much I want to quit, I now have a base to work on and history to prove that I can do this!  No, Sireee, Bob...I will NOT quit!! 

This week I began a month of personal training for the first time ever.  I'm doing it with two other ladies [to keep the cost down].  These ladies have been doing this for about 3 years.  I feel like such a sissy as I have so much to work on and learn and get up to "speed".  Some weight exercises, core and balance exercises and all-around ab workouts have been good.  I'm learning machines I've not known how to use as well as new exercises using free weights, balls, kettleballs and other equipment.  Regardless of how awful I am at this time, pushing on is the game in this arena.  Thanks, Pam, for good routines!  And, your patience with me!  I will be stronger at the end of the month and looking forward to new and exciting things at the Y. 

I'll share this but am not ready to be accountable to it yet.  I do a spin class once a week...I know, I know...many of you, and probably most, do several classes a week but I love to run and that's where all my effort basically goes.  Anyway, the first part of the year when I started spin, I had a real hard time.  My endurance was awful!!  And, standing up was almost impossible and I wanted to quit big-time due to discouragement.  I hung in there and after talking with Pam she asked if I ran before class and I said yes; she suggested running 1-2 miles or none and see if I could do the class better.  So I dropped my mileage and after a few more classes I was able to stand and do the class as instructed.  Soon I started my running before class again but very easy.  Doing a couple of miles didn't seem to bother me.  Well...to make a long story short...NOT...I stayed with it.  Now, I run 2 miles before class and 2 afterward, working on endurance and mileage in spin class.  This week, I ran my usual 2 miles before class at a decent pace, did class [achieving 21.6 miles], and ran another 2 miles afterward at a very good pace.  I felt really good throughout and strong.  Back to the first sentence of this paragraph.  If things keep going well and I get a little confidence, I'd like to do my first duathlon this year.  I think I can do this and that it is an achievable goal.  We'll see..........

So for now, I'm "banking" as many miles as I can, to meet my monthly and yearly goal.  Actually, I had no idea that I could do 100 miles a month and it's been three months down.  This builds my confidence and assurance that it can be done.  I am eager to get out and add more miles. 

Whatever you are doing, do it with all you have.  Do NOT compare yourself with others or it will be easy to get discouraged, quit or put yourself down.  There is only one YOU...be the best YOU can be.

Until next time get out and

Run 4 It

1 comment:

Broken Vessels said...

Thanks for posting this. Seeing your mileage is encouraging. I ran a half marathon in November and after that got a very bad chest cold. I only managed 20 miles all of December. It has been a struggle to get back to where I was. I have gotten back over 50 miles in march and hopefully will eclipse 55-60 in April. Keep moving. Maybe I will see you at the races.

2019 Races

  • 05/11/19...9.38 mile Good Life Ride
  • 04/13/19...Raven 5k
  • Dec. 15 - Mar. 8 2019...175 Mile Challenge
  • 02/16/19...Sweetheart 5k
  • 01/19/19...Casio Bridge 5k...DND

2018 Races

12/09/18...MS Gulf Coast Half Marathon
12/01/18...Honeybee 5k (cancelled-weather)
11/17/18...Seville Quarter Turkey Trot 5k
11/11/18...Battleship 12k
10/20/18...Hope Haven Run for Hope 5k
10/13/18...Shrimp Festival 5k
09/29/18...Don McCloskey 5k
09/01/18...Bloody Mary 5k
01/27/18...Casino Bridge 5k

Through December...200 Mile Fall Challenge
Through August...175 Mile Spring Challenge
Through June...150 Mile Spring Challenge

2018 Goals

Bike 500 miles.
Improve gear shifting.
Strength training 2 hours/week.
Run 600 miles.
Improve running without walking.
No processed sugar 75% of time.
Improve positive thinking.
NEVER give up!

2017 Races

  • 12/10/17...MS Coast Half
  • 12/09/17...MS Coast 5k
  • 11/25/17...Kaiser Half
  • 11/18/17...Wild Turkey Trot 5k
  • 11/11/17...Rotary Oyster 5k
  • 10/14/17...Shrimp Festival 10k
  • 02/18/17...Sea Turtle Half
  • 02/04/17...Double Bridge 15k
  • 01/29/17...Big Beach Half

2017 Bike Rides

  • 10/01/17...Southern Magnolia Ride [25.85]
  • 05/13/17...Good Life Ride [26]

Series

  • MS Coast Double Down...5k & Half
  • Run The Beach...3 Half's

2017 Goals

  • Back-to-Back Races [Done]
  • 3 Half Marathons [Done +1]
  • 1,000 Miles-No
  • First Half Marathon Series [3 Done]
  • Work on core/strength 2-3 times a week-No
  • Lose 25 pounds-No
  • NEVER give up! YES!!
  • Control/Eliminate refined sugars-Good

2016 Races

  • 10/15/16...Shrimp Festival 5k
  • 05/30/16...Fiesta Five Flags 5k
  • 03/19/16...Azalea Trail 10k
  • 03/13/16...St. Pat's Leprechaun 5k
  • 03/05/16...Bay to Breakfast 12k...1st trail race
  • 02/20/16...Sea Turtle Half
  • 02/13/16...Double Bridge 15k

2016 Goals

  • Run 1,000 miles-Done
  • Bike 300 miles
  • Half Marathon-Done
  • Eat fruit daily
  • Push through the hard times-Done
  • Cut back on refined sugar

2015 Races

  • 12/19/15...Make It To The Line 4 Miler
  • 11/21/15...Wild Turkey Trot 5k
  • 11/14/15...Oyster 5k
  • 10/10/15...Shrimp Festival 5k
  • 05/30/15...PHind a Cure-W/D
  • 05/02/15...Fiesta Five Flags 5k
  • 04/18/15...Zydeco 5k - W/D
  • 04/??/15...Virtual Remember the Fallen 5k
  • 04/??/15...Virtual Boston Strong 5k
  • 04/11/15...Magnolia 5k
  • 03/28/15...Azalea Trail 10k
  • 03/07/15...Circle K 5k
  • 03/01/15...Gulf Coast Lulu's 10k
  • 02/28/15...Sweetheart 5k
  • 02/07/15...Double Bridge 15k

2015 Goals

  • 1 Half Marathon
  • Eat fruit daily
  • Overlook past failures
  • Push through the hard times/things

2014 Races

  • 12/06/14...St. Jude's Half Marathon
  • 08/16/14...Pinky 5k Virtual
  • 08/15/14...Howl @ the Moon 10k Virtual
  • 02/15/14...Sweetheart 5k
  • 02/01/14...Double Bridge 15k

2014 Goals

  • 1 Half Marathon
  • 700 Running Miles
  • Strengthen my Upper Body
  • Recuperate, Recover, Renew
  • Get active in WW
  • Eat Fruit Daily
  • Start Clean Eating
  • Begin Eliminating Sugar from Diet

2013 Races

11-30-13...Stennis 5k
11-23-13...Turkey Trot 5k
11-08-13...Run For The Kids Virtual Half [St. Jude's]
10-12-13...Shrimp Festival 5k
09-22-13...Talladega Half
07-04-13...Wesson 2 Miles
06-29-13...Emz Liverpalooza 5k
05-18-13...Pursuit of Fun 5k
04-20-13..Warrior Dash
04-07-13...Gulf Coast Half-Pensacola
03-23-13...Azalea Trail 10k
03-10-13...Leprechaun 5k
02-24-13...NOLA Marathon
02-02-13...Double Bridge 15k-Pensacola
01-13-13....Gulf Coast Half-Lulu's

2013 Goals

  • 3 Half Marathons-Done-Plus 1
  • 1 Marathon-Done
  • 1000 Running Miles-No, due to RC Tendonitis & Broken Shoulder
  • Eat fruit daily-A little aggressive but better
  • Maintain weight in 130's-Did NOT happen!

2012 Races

12-08-12...FloraBama Jingle Bell 5k
11-24-12...Jingle Bell 10k
11-17-12...Turkey Trot 5k
10-27-12...Jazz Half
10-20-12...OS Rotary 5k
10-13-12...Race for Grace 5k
09-29-12...5k For Katlyn
07-04-12...Wesson 2 Mile
04-15-12...Gulf Coast Half...[Withdrew-bronchitis]
04-14-12...Diversity Dash 5k
03-24-12...Azalea Trail 10k
03-03-12...MS50 20k...[Withdrew-bronchitis]
02-25-12...Kids Need Heroes 5k
02-11-12...Sweetheart 5k
02-04-12..Double Bridge 15k
01-14-12...Pensacola Half



2012 Goals

  • 1 Full Marathon-Marine Corp filled up
  • 3 Half Marathons-2 Down-Sick had to drop 2
  • 20 Miles-Wkly Mileage-Bronchitis kept me from this
  • Cross Training 2x Week-Poor Commitment
  • Weekly Weights W/O-Again Poor Commitment

2011 Races

  • 11-26-11...Kaiser Half
  • 11-19-11...Turkey Trot 5k
  • 11-11-11...Thumbs Up for Bill 5k
  • 11-05-11...Senior Bowl 10k
  • 10-22-11...Running the Streets 5k
  • 10-15-11...Shrimp Festival 10k
  • 10-08-11...Mullet Run 5k
  • 09-24-11...Waiting for a Cure 8k
  • 09-05-11...Labor Your Legs 5k
  • 07-04-11...Wesson 2 Miles
  • 06-04-11...Bay Fest 5k
  • 05-14-11...Stargazer 5k
  • 04-30-11...Fiesta 5 Flags 5k
  • 04-16-11...St. Benedict's 5k
  • 04-10-11...Gulf Coast Half
  • 03-26-11...Azalea Trail 10k
  • 03-19-11...St. Patrick's 5k
  • 03-05-11...Eco 5k
  • 02-13-11...Mardi Gras Marathon

Secrets to Running a 5k

Here is an excellent site for those who have thought about running a 5k race but just hadn't made that move yet. There's tips, directions and even a section on what to wear. If you have never run a race, you are missing out on a lot of fun. You will have support from most everyone you meet. Now for the site...click here to change your life and get started!

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