99 Excuses, but a virtual 5k ain't one

The last time I trained properly for, and  ran a 5k (dressed as a super hero no less), I PR'd at 28:58.

(insert happy dance and pancakes)



 It's almost hard to fathom that was almost a year ago (I began running two years ago).  

Time flies. Slacking (whilst training) persists. 

Ok, its an epidemic, don't get too close.

Ugh.

Ever since the stress fracture that would never heal I've been too chicken to, afraid of, stalling for -- nothing. 

My leg is -- fine.  

My brain hasn't quite got the memo, and my rear had grown quite accustomed to couch surfing/snacking.

Honesty hurts. 

Plus my mom says I have a "flair for the dramatics." 

Whatever.

The struggle is real.

With 2014 speeding by and my first full marathon approaching, it is high time I get my shitake mushroom together and make (and fight like hell for) REAL goals. 

My race (times) record this year has been -- lackluster.

I have no one to blame but myself.

So, I signed up for a few races prior to 26.2 in order to get me ready: physically, mentally, and emotionally. 

Full race calendar -------------->

Enter (my first) Virtual 5k, the brilliant (link up) brain child of  Desiree + Jenny. You should totally join in too!

You can also follow along on Instagram, hashtag #DJV5K 



Add in a wedding (weekend) to plan, another international trip, and you know life -- I've got my hands full.

Jesus take the wheel.

Like any good perfectionist, I got to work setting a game plan. 

Run 5/week (total)
Speed
Easy - 2
Hills/Tempo
Long

Cross Train 5-6/week + plank daily

WEEK 1: 31 Mi

Mon Jun 30 Easy Run Dist: 6 Mi @11:36 Wed Jul 2 Tempo Run Dist: 7 Mi, inc Warm; 5 Mi @ 10:09; Cool Thu Jul 3 Easy Run Dist: 6 Mi @11:36 Sat Jul 5 Long Run Dist: 12 Mi @11:36

WEEK 2: 32 Mi

Mon Jul 7 Easy Run Dist: 6 Mi @11:34 Wed Jul 9 Speedwork Dist: 6 Mi, inc Warm; 3x1600 in 9:22 w/800 jogs; Cool Thu Jul 10 Easy Run Dist: 6 Mi @11:34 Sat Jul 12 Long Run Dist: 14 Mi @11:34

WEEK 3: 33 Mi

Mon Jul 14 Easy Run Dist: 5 Mi @11:31 Wed Jul 16 Tempo Run Dist: 7 Mi, inc Warm; 5 Mi @ 10:05; Cool Thu Jul 17 Easy Run Dist: 5 Mi @11:31 Sat Jul 19 Long Run Dist: 16 Mi @11:31

WEEK 4: 26 Mi

Mon Jul 21 Easy Run Dist: 7 Mi @11:29 Wed Jul 23 Easy Run Dist: 6 Mi @11:29 Thu Jul 24 Easy Run Dist: 6 Mi @11:29 Sat Jul 26 Easy Run Dist: 7 Mi @11:29

WEEK 5: 35 Mi

Mon Jul 28 Easy Run Dist: 5 Mi @11:29 Wed Jul 30 Tempo Run Dist: 7 Mi, inc Warm; 5 Mi @ 10:03; Cool Thu Jul 31 Easy Run Dist: 5 Mi @11:29 Sat Aug 2 Long Run Dist: 18 Mi @11:29

WEEK 6: 36 Mi

Mon Aug 4 Easy Run Dist: 5 Mi @11:27 Wed Aug 6 Speedwork Dist: 6 Mi, inc Warm; 3x1600 in 9:16 w/800 jogs; Cool Thu Aug 7 Easy Run Dist: 5 Mi @11:27 Sat Aug 9 Long Run Dist: 20 Mi @11:27

WEEK 7: 37 Mi

Mon Aug 11 Easy Run Dist: 7 Mi @11:25 Wed Aug 13 Tempo Run Dist: 7 Mi, inc Warm; 5 Mi @ 9:58; Cool Thu Aug 14 Easy Run Dist: 7 Mi @11:25 Sat Aug 16 Long Run Dist: 16 Mi @11:25

WEEK 8: 29 Mi

Mon Aug 18 Easy Run Dist: 7 Mi @11:23 Wed Aug 20 Easy Run Dist: 7 Mi @11:23 Thu Aug 21 Easy Run Dist: 7 Mi @11:23 Sat Aug 23 Easy Run Dist: 8 Mi @11:23

WEEK 9: 38 Mi

Mon Aug 25 Easy Run Dist: 6 Mi @11:23 Wed Aug 27 Tempo Run Dist: 7 Mi, inc Warm; 5 Mi @ 9:56; Cool Thu Aug 28 Easy Run Dist: 5 Mi @11:23 Sat Aug 30 Long Run Dist: 20 Mi @11:23

WEEK 10: 40 Mi

Mon Sep 1 Easy Run Dist: 9 Mi @11:21 Wed Sep 3 Speedwork Dist: 7 Mi, inc Warm; 4x1600 in 9:10 w/800 jogs; Cool Thu Sep 4 Easy Run Dist: 8 Mi @11:21 Sat Sep 6 Long Run Dist: 16 Mi @11:21

WEEK 11: 41 Mi

Mon Sep 8 Easy Run Dist: 7 Mi @11:19 Wed Sep 10 Tempo Run Dist: 7 Mi, inc Warm; 5 Mi @ 9:52; Cool Thu Sep 11 Easy Run Dist: 7 Mi @11:19 Sat Sep 13 Long Run Dist: 20 Mi @11:19

WEEK 12: 32 Mi

Mon Sep 15 Easy Run Dist: 8 Mi @11:16 Wed Sep 17 Easy Run Dist: 8 Mi @11:16 Thu Sep 18 Easy Run Dist: 8 Mi @11:16 Sat Sep 20 Easy Run Dist: 8 Mi @11:16

WEEK 13: 42 Mi

Mon Sep 22 Easy Run Dist: 8 Mi @11:16 Wed Sep 24 Tempo Run Dist: 7 Mi, inc Warm; 5 Mi @ 9:50; Cool Thu Sep 25 Easy Run Dist: 7 Mi @11:16 Sat Sep 27 Long Run Dist: 20 Mi @11:16

WEEK 14: 23 Mi

Mon Sep 29 Easy Run Dist: 2 Mi @11:14 Wed Oct 1 Speedwork Dist: 7 Mi, inc Warm; 4x1600 in 9:05 w/800 jogs; Cool Thu Oct 2 Easy Run Dist: 2 Mi @11:14 Sat Oct 4 Long Run Dist: 12 Mi @11:14

WEEK 15: 22 Mi

Mon Oct 6 Easy Run Dist: 5 Mi @11:13 Wed Oct 8 Tempo Run Dist: 5 Mi, inc Warm; 3 Mi @ 9:36; Cool Thu Oct 9 Easy Run Dist: 4 Mi @11:13 Sat Oct 11 Long Run Dist: 8 Mi @11:13

WEEK 16: 36 Mi

Tue Oct 14 Easy Run Dist: 3 Mi @11:13 Wed Oct 15 Speedwork Dist: 4 Mi, inc Warm; 2x1600 in 9:03 w/800 jogs; Cool Fri Oct 17 Easy Run Dist: 3 Mi @11:13 Sun Oct 19 Marathon Race Day 26.2 Mi @10:12 Time: 4:27:18

(training plan via Runner's World Smart Coach -- its FREE!!)

Easy enough, no? Granted I've got a super OCD version of all this in excel to track all my life via running/fitness/and shoe mileage, but no one wants to see all that drama.  If you do, email me and I'll send you a copy and declare you my best friend. 



Thankfully I now have a treadmill, "whom I absolutely adore!" so really I have the tools for success. Without leaving home and putting on clean clothes, which requires actually doing laundry.

I digress.

There is not one dang reason why I can't hit some goals. Hard.

Goals: 

5k: 28:00

13.1: (a) 2:15, (b) 2:20

26.2: Cross the finish line, upright, and smiling. 

Here's to happy dancing at the finish!

What are your race goals for (the remainder of) 2014?

Have you ever ran a full marathon? 

What's your favorite race distance?

More importantly, what is your favorite post race food?