Hey Everyone!
It’s been a long time since I’ve been running hard and training for anything specific. My last race, the Route 66 Marathon, was a bit of a flop largely because I walked to the starting line severely undertrained and a bit burnt out from my ultra. I am once again back on my feet and I am determined to get to a May marathon with some better training under my belt.
You may notice that I have not really committed to a specific marathon yet. Unfortunately, I will likely be unable to for a while. Frank and I are looking to move from Kansas and we are not really sure where we will be come May, but I am training to run a race on May 21, the day of the Colfax marathon. I will plan to run Colfax if I am still in Kansas, or if I am driving distance from Denver. I want to run a half marathon some time in March, but unfortunately, I am unable to say where or when it will be yet. It’s hard training without specifics, and it’s very hard living with so many unknowns in my future. I feel like I cannot commit to anything beyond about two weeks since we could hear back from somewhere at any time and we would have to be ready to go.
One thing is for sure, we are looking to move out west. I have spent my entire life in the flatlands of the US, and we have been looking to get to the mountains. The western half of the US is huge, so I feel confident (and hopeful) that something will turn up soon.
Looking ahead into the unknown of 2017, I do have a few goals that I believe are attainable.
- PR my marathon
I honestly don’t care if it’s by 2 freaking seconds, I just want a PR. I will train for a 3:50 time, but come race day, I will be happy with anything that is a PR.
- Run a sub 1:45 half marathon
Ok, this one is a little more specific. My last half was 1:47 and it was very comfortable. I was in one of my favorite places in the world, Estes Park, and I hope to go back there for that sub-1:45 in August. I definitely think this is within my abilities, but I will need to work for it.
- Run a 50-miler
Last year I ran a 50K, and I can honestly tell you that it was the hardest thing I’ve ever done. However, those last few miles made everything worth it. I ran through the trails of Omaha with a giant smile of my face, so excited to be an ultra runner. Well, my new goal is to run a 50-miler, which I am hoping to do in the fall.
This week I will be getting back to my usual training updates, yoga posts, and random other things that make there way on to my blog. Thanks for being patient and waiting for me to be ready to train hard again.
And of course, here’s a picture of my favorite fur-ball.
How do you deal with unknowns? Does change stress you out (it stresses me out)?
She Runs the Wasatch 
I hope you get the life stuff figured out and have some certainty soon. I heard a saying once that goes “I like change…it’s the transitions that get me.” That’s how I feel. I’m a homebody and the process of uprooting is very stressful for me. Fingers crossed you get some info soon!
I think your goals are great and definitely within reach. Just take it one day a time! I thought you said last month you were having issues with your back…is that doing better now?
PS: Canyonlands!!!
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Me too. Life is a little crazy right now. I might be getting some answers this week, and once I know, I can let you know about Canyonlands. I would love to run it and things could very well make that possible, but at the moment, I just don’t know.
I have a herniated disc, which is probably still a problem. I haven’t gotten any symptoms from it lately, but that does not mean that it is healed. Fortunately, running is not making it worse, so I can run through it. I just have trouble running when my legs are feeling tingly.
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Wow that is a lot of unknowns! I don’t blame you for wanting to move out West! 🙂 You know our love for CO… You have specific, measurable goals for your running this year. I’m excited to follow along as you reach them!
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I love CO too and I would LOVE to move there. I have tons of friends in the Denver/Boulder area, so that would be a perfect place for me. Unfortunately, at the moment, we don’t have any leads in that area. I am waiting to hear from one this week, so if all goes well (fingers crossed), I might have more information soon.
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Moving is one of the most stressful things you can do! We’ve lived in 4 states so far, and since this is not where we plan to retire . . . although I don’t see us moving anytime soon.
I will be happy to leave NY, but sad to leave the friends I’ve made here.
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Yeah, I have the same problem. I’ve lived in 3 states now, and I always make a lot of friends and then have to move. It’s hard to have lasting relationships when you are not in one place for very long.
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Well, we lived in TX for 17 years. Yes, leaving there was hard. Leaving VT? Couldn’t wait to get out of there!
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That cat is absolutely adorable!
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I know! Right?! She’s perfect. 🙂
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Exciting that I ran across your blog – we are on the same goals for this year!! Love to find people who run the same pace as me. Unknowns really throw me off. I felt like I was in limbo for a while when I first got married and my husband and I lived in different cities, due to work opportunities. I really just wanted to get a plan, and get something solidified. Moving out West? It is so beautiful out there!!
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