Goals for 2011.

After exclusively fun running all fall (after the Towpath 10K), I've been thinking a lot about what I might want to accomplish in 2011 w/r/t running, and have come up with some varied goals (per a Runner's World article's recommendation):

1. Skinny jeans by March.  I've lost about 12 lb. since June (aided by a recent stomach flu).  I think eating vegan has finally caught up with me, and switching medications might be helping, too.  I'm not quite into my smallest clothes, but all my recently (within the last year) purchased clothing is too big.  I want to see if I can get back into those jeans.  If I can't by this time next year, they're out of here, along with every other slightly-too-small item of clothing (except maybe my blue silk BR cocktail dress, just in case).

2. Get my half-marathon time down to under two hours.  My PR (from 2009) is 2:09, run while on antibiotics after a patchy six weeks of training.  Given a goal and the last six months of prep-work, I think I can do it.  If I run the half in Cleveland again this May, I don't have to do much distance work in advance versus a full, which is ideal for winter-training (i.e., no very long runs in the cold and snow and/or no very long runs on the (beloved) T-mill).  And if I don't make my goal time, then I can train all summer and into the fall for a faster time at a fall race.

3.  Run 100 miles each month.  I think this is a manageable training load.  I work half-time (with a reasonably predictable schedule), live conveniently close to some very runnable trails and courses, and have a gym membership (when the garage gets too cold and/or for cross-training).  I have no excuses.

4.  Run a full marathon.  This would be the icing on the cake (and I'd probably only do it if I meet my half-marathon goal in May).  There are so many lovely fall courses and places that I'm sure I can find a race that suits me.

Soooo....some of these are long shots, but I think I can do it if I screw up my courage and motivation.  Running with the club girls (though we're on hiatus and so I only see one or two regularly) has been a real boon, and I've been blessed with some seriously amazing gear this fall.  The pieces are falling into place for a great running year.

*image is from runningwarehouse.com, which is where I purchased that lovely item above.  So far, major props to the site for their immediate delivery and very inexpensive prices!

Updates (now that I have company!).

Did my old favorite five-miler in my mom's neighborhood yesterday on my way home from work.  I felt every single footfall...just so much effort to get through it and took 65 minutes when it used to take 45-50.  The legs felt fine, the weather was lovely, but my heart (quite possibly literally) wasn't in it.  I think I bonked due to nutrition issues.  I think WHAT I eat, and how much, seems right.  I'm working on the WHEN.

I am registered for the Towpath Half on 10.10.10, and am "training" to that end (my plan is to do it under 2:30, and upon completion, will reward myself with a Brooks Nightlife Jacket!). I've logged a few longer runs (7-9 miles) with the Turtles, and am sticking to an adapted training schedule from Runner's World and including lifting (ideally 3x weekly) and swimming (2-3x weekly).  A swimmer dude at my gym let me try his SwiMP3 player and I just ordered one for myself!  I love being in the pool as a means of increasing fitness without adding miles.  But I think I need to get serious about form and effort to reap those benefits.

Reading Brendan Brazier's Thrive: The Vegan Nutrition Guide to Optimal Performance in Sports and Life, and revisiting Matt Fitzgerald's Brain Training for Runners.  Also trying to get through Terry Laughlin's Total Immersion video and books (about the swimming form and all that).

My weight finally dipped a few pounds, so I'm down about 4-5 lb. total.  Most of my clothes fit better by now (scale be damned!), and I'm still hoping to legitimately fit into my skinniest jeans by Christmas.  Then maybe the Cleveland full in 2011?  Any joiners?

Success.

Tonight's 400 calories in 38:00 on the (beloved) T-mill was a success.  I barely noticed that I was even running.  It was still about 80 degrees, but the heat barely registered.  I've been blaming everything on hydration (and stepped up water consumption; I at least a liter of seltzer a day before I run (or bed if I'm taking a day off)) and the heat.  What I changed today was eating a snack about a half hour to 45 minutes before my run, which is terribly unusual for me (I like to run on an empty stomach or at least wait two hours after eating).  Could this be the lynch pin in my summer training?

I'm still calorie conscious as I've dropped exactly ZERO lb. these few weeks (while running 12-ish miles and netting about 1400- 1800 calories daily).  The birth control won't be out of my system (or even begun to be flushed) for another month, so maybe it's still affecting my metabolism.  I've taken to checking my body fat percentage a few times a week to see if my muscle mass is increasing.  So far, just establishing a baseline (about 30%).

Will put in paperwork to the gym tomorrow!  I hope it goes smoothly (as the membership is for us, but the funds are from a parental unit whose last name no longer matches mine), smoothly enough for an afternoon swim before dinner with the Spanish teacher!

New shorts!

Chatted with the guy ringing me up and distracted him to the point that he gave me 20% off the whole thing (two pairs of shorts), instead of the single item listed on the coupon!  Woo!

I got a size up from a pair I own (boo!  But it will make me feel more confident running on the streets- or with a local running club I may join- if I have nice-fitting, no muffin-top-y shorts).  They are Nike and have a pseudo-compression boy short (not just bun cover lining) inside.  I also picked up the Nike Pro compression shorts in black with a long, 7" inseam (and a larger size).  I have the bun shorts in red for under my tights and hiking pants- I use them exclusively as running UNDERpants (am no Kara Goucher) and love the fit and feel.*  Gear-related, too: purchased updated RoadID, with husband's info (new) and on a shoe pouch!

Anyway, 400 calories in 43 minutes felt easy today.  I may have to drop down to 40 minutes and see how I do tomorrow!

As a side note, some of this audience may be aware that after nine years of vegetarianism, I have become entirely vegan in my dietary choices as of this year (while working on the rest).  So far, I feel great!  I can get comparable protein and calcium to cow's milk from soy, almond, or rice milk; seitan has a whopping 22 grams of protein per serving (and I love it!), etc.  I'm eating almost all my own cooking and preparing everything from scratch, whole food style.  We keep Boca burgers and fake nuggets on hand in case there's no time to cook, but at least 80% of what I eat is my own cooking (or fruits, veggies, nuts, etc.).  Here was my post-run snack/meal:

 
A half cup of oatmeal (dry), made with water in the microwave.  Before I nuked it, I tossed in a handful of frozen strawberries and a tablespoon-ish of chia seeds, which are supposed to be awesome for you.  I munched on some raw almonds while it cooked.  Should be around 430 calories (ha!) and about 10 g. protein, plus some much-needed fat (crucial for injury prevention, I read).  Pretty good, no?  It took my gross calorie intake today to just under 1800, netting me about 1400, which is in the healthy zone!

*I can link to these, I think, if anyone wants me to.  Or photograph myself in them?