Do you do New Year’s resolutions?

I usually don’t, but I do have goals that I’ve been working on with my running.

The new year is a perfect time to reflect on those and map out a plan to reach them.

For 2020 I’ve decided to only run one marathon. Training for Chicago was hard to do consistently over the summer. Looking at my stats for the months leading up to the Buffalo marathon in May vs. Chicago showed me I was MUCH more prepared pace and mileage-wise for Buffalo.

My times at both confirmed this. I PR’d at Buffalo with a 4:09 and ran my slowest time at Chicago at 4:18.

I did have to stop and go to the bathroom at mile 3, which I’ve never done before and that took up a good 7 minutes. It was also difficult to get myself in the zone because I kept coming up to a crowd of runners and by the time I could get past them and break away I would come upon another crowd.

My goal for that race was to just have fun, and I definitely did. It was a great race! So I’m not complaining about the race or even my time.

It was just interesting to look at my workout stats in comparing the two.

I will probably run it again sometime in the future…but I don’t want to train every summer for a Fall marathon.

This year I will be running the Flying Pig in Cincinnati. This marathon takes place on May 3. I have a brother-in-law and his family that live there, so we will be combining family fun with running.

I also want to pursue more opportunities to put my coaches training to use. You can help me with that one!

The questions I get from readers usually go into a post or YouTube video, but I also personally answer any question via email.

Do you want to become a runner?

If your resolution is to become a runner, here are some steps to take.

1. Running shoes can make or break your resolve. Get yourself to a running store. Being able to interact with someone who can help you get the right fit and feel is important. Check the post list below and read the one on running shoes.
2. Do you need a treadmill? If you are reading this at posting, we are entering the holiday season…good time to ask for one and find deals! This is also the time of year that gym memberships are signed up for in earnest. Decide if you will need a treadmill (or access to one) or if you will need to get some warm running clothes.
3. Now what? When you are just starting out, a great place is a Couch to 5k plan. I will be putting together one of my own soon, but you can find them all over the internet. Just make sure the plan is from somewhere reputable. This one is a good one. The RRCA (Road Runners Club of America) has a sample 10 week running program and gives you more than just the outline. It includes tips and resources. This is the same association I had my coaches training with. See if there are any running clubs in your area on this website and think seriously about joining one!
4. Check out some of these posts for more beginner tools:
   Running By Time Not Mileage
   Explaining Different Running Workouts
   Using An App for Run/Walk
   Becoming A Runner
   Choosing a Running Shoe
   

Do you want to run a specific race?

Are you looking to cover a race distance you haven’t before, or run a faster time in a race you have?

I find for me the best thing is to go ahead and sign up. I would not have been ready for the marathon had I not signed up for one LOOOONNNGGG before I ran anything over a 13.1 miles.

The training for any race is out there. From “Couch to…whatever” to advanced training for ultra’s (anything over 26.2 miles). You can buy books, train with online coaches, find free stuff on websites.

Do your research for what you want to accomplish. If you are trying to finish a marathon, your training will be different than if you are trying to time qualify for a “big” marathon like Chicago, NY or Boston.

If you ARE trying to time qualify for something (usually a marathon) MAKE SURE the race you are running is one that is accepted as a qualifier for the goal race. It does you no good to run the Smiley Town Marathon (not, as far as I know, a real marathon) if it isn’t on the list of qualifying races.

When looking at training, you want to be sure it is from a reputable source.

There are all kinds of websites touting training. You open yourself up to injury and disappointment if the training isn’t sound.

I have used The Everything Running book and Advanced Running for my marathon training.

There is also an app for Hal Higdon’s training. I used his Novice 1 plan for my first half YEARS ago…before there were apps!

With any training, if you find that it is too much…ADJUST it. Taking a few days off if you are feeling like the training is injuring you can mean the difference between getting to your race or having to DNS (did not start).

If it is really too much, find a different program.

Are you resolved to get faster?

The body is an amazing thing, and the how’s and why’s behind what they do can sometimes be crazy.

Before I had coaching training, I just would not believe anyone who said that to get faster I had to slow down.

I ran every run in competition with my last one. If it was what I considered a “bad” run, I would go out much sooner than I should have and run as hard as I could.

Now I know that rest and recovery is just as important to getting better. Especially as an over 50 year old runner, I have found that allowing my body some rest gets me so much stronger.

When I ran the Buffalo Marathon in May I had to jump into training for Chicago pretty quickly. I did not allow my body to recover as much as I should have. It was a good month before I felt like I was even close to getting back into a good running groove.

Then I ran Chicago and right after that we went on a sailing trip around St. Lucia/St. Vincent and I had no choice but to sit on my butt. This was a 6 person catamaran…not a cruise ship with a gym.

When I got back on land and started running after having 2 weeks off it was nothing short of amazing.

I felt GREAT. My paces were fast, my legs were fresh.

I write my own training now, and I follow the RRCA recommendation of 2 weeks of build up and 1 week of “back off”. This allows my body to recover before I up the volume or intensity a bit.

And I add that slowly and little by little.

After listening to a podcast with Pete Magill, I really “got it”. I highly recommend you listen to this on your next run and maybe you will be inspired to rest and recover to get faster!

Do You Have Other Running Goals?

I wrote an article a few months ago on having A, B and C goals for your running.

If you don’t really do “resolutions” but have goals (more like what I do), the A, B, C post can help you formulate those goals for a realistic look at what you want to do in the next year.

Any specific goals or resolutions you have for 2020? Let me know if I can help you reach them! I answer every email. I promise I am not trying to sell you anything. My goal is to help spread the love of running to as many people as I can, no strings attached!