How the Off Season Began
This year, 2018, started off slow for me to say the least. I had big plans for PR’s this year, and don’t get me wrong, it’s still not too late for me to start trying now. The back story begins in May of last year and my running journey “ended” in the beginning of October 2017….but we know that the “ended” part isn’t quite true.
Last spring, I knew that I would be headed to the Wineglass Marathon in NY to setup at the expo with RUSEEN Reflective Apparel. So I decided I would run the race since I would be there anyways. I trained for months prior to the race on October 1st, 2017 (I did have a couple vacations / road trips in there where I slacked a bit). The marathon went well but I was tired of running after all my training. After the race I told myself I could stop running for a little while and take a break. Well that “little while” turned into five and a half months! I honestly didn’t realize how long it was until I just counted. I’m in a bit of shock, no wonder I got so out of shape!
My 2018 Running Journey Begins
So now we’re back to the first of the year where the story really begins for my 2018 running journey. At the first of the year I told myself I needed to start getting back into running. All I needed to do was put on my reflective running gear and get out for some 3ish mile runs 3-4 times a week. Well that didn’t happen often at all. I hate the cold, and here in PA it’s pretty nippy in the winter. When I did get out I would wear my reflective vest so that I could take off my neck warmer and put it in my vest pocket. That’s right, I like to overdress so I’m not frozen the entire run.
By this point I’m pretty sure you can tell I’ve been off to a rough start. Thankfully my good friend Courtney was in the exact same boat. Finally, she decided on the first day of Spring to start running again. She told me two days after she started running so I jumped on board. Now we are about a month in and I already feel more energized and not so much like a slug.
Getting Back On Track
Two days after I started running I reached out to someone on facebook who was no longer able to run, and she gave me her bib for a local 5k called the Yuengling Lager Jogger in Pottsville, PA. Now I’m looking for a good opportunity to pay it forward because I am so thankful, and she was so generous! The race is April 21st, the day after my birthday! Signing up for this race was a brilliant idea because now I need to continue to train since it’s an incredibly hilly run (and there is beer at the finish! 😋).
I now run 5 to 6 times a week. Getting out 6 times a week can be difficult because I’m traveling for RUSEEN. The weeks I travel tend to be the weeks that I only get out 5 days. At least the expo is kind of a workout. I’ll tell you, it can be tiring standing on my feet all day selling reflective running apparel to athletes. However I always enjoy the expo’s, it’s fun talking to all of our great customers!
Runs Keep Coming My Way
Two weekends ago I was in DC for the Cherry Blossom 10 Miler. The week before the race my uncle (who was entered for the race) got injured and he offered me his race bib since he knew I would be in DC anyways. I took it and ran with a friend that I don’t get to see too often. We had a fun day and it was the perfect opportunity to get in a 10 mile training run.
My friend Ashley broke 9 min miles! I was really proud of her and happy that I could help push her to run her second best 10 miler. It was my first time running the Cherry Blossom 10 miler and I would definitely consider running it again. The weather ended up being way better than expected and the cherry blossoms were at their peak, it was beautiful! I told Ashley next year we can run it with the elite runners, 😁haha. They looked great and just as speedy as always, I’m definitely a little jealous.
Just Keep Running
Now I just need to continue my training and start some workouts on the track. I feel good knowing that I have a base to work from and I’ll only get faster from this point forward. I will continue to update you on my spring and summer running. Check our facebook after April 21st for a picture of me after my first 5k of the year. I’m really looking forward to my “birthday” race. I always enjoy doing a fun one on my birthday or right around it.
One last thing, I want some opinions. Whether you’re a runner or not, it doesn’t matter to me. I hope to run a 5k & 10k PR this year. Here is the big question, should I or should I not count my 18:20 5k? I did run that fast, I can’t believe it myself! The course was not short, but it was all downhill. I mean I could have tucked up into a ball and rolled down the hill that fast, 😅lol. Before that my PR was 19:44. So should my goal be to break 19:44 or 18:20? I will not be running the same race to try and break the 18:20 PR because that race was painful, and I had to spend my winnings on the chiropractor afterwards. I’d like some feedback / comments to hear what others think my PR goal should be. Please and thank you in advance!