After my last post, everyone had a lot of great race suggestions. Thank you! They all sound like so much fun, it’s hard to pick which ones to run. I have to admit that I’m kind of enjoying this pause in my schedule. Ever since I signed up for my first marathon, I’ve had at least one marathon on my schedule. This is the first time in over 2 years that I haven’t been registered for a race. Once a big race is on the calendar, it eliminates so many other choices. Having just about every race as a possibility makes for fun daydreaming.
Even if I don’t get into NYC Marathon 2010, I’ve made up my mind that I will do a fall marathon in 2010. Besides planning races between now and then, I have a few things I need to work on to get ready for marathon training next summer. Here are the big ones:
- Strength training. I’m already strength training a couple times a week, but I need to train more specifically to my needs as a runner. My hope is that stronger legs in the spring will decrease the likelihood of injury next summer.
- Improved flexibility. Touching my toes is not even a remote possibility for me. I’m lucky if I can touch below my knees. My stride is abnormally short and my back gets unbearably tight after a run. I’ve been practicing yoga once a week for the last 6 weeks and, although it’s embarrassing, I think it’s helping. I’ve also enlisted the help of a professional for some ART work and I am spending a lot of time each day stretching. Hopefully, devotion to becoming more flexible will keep injury and back pain away.
- Better nutrition. Have I mentioned that I don’t really cook? I am capable of heating, but not really cooking. I just don’t have the patience or the know how. As a result, my whole family is not eating as nutritiously as we should. There have been many runs when I ran out of energy and I know that poor nutrition is to blame. Previous attempts to work on this area have failed miserably, so it’s going to take some solid dedication to improve.
Of course, I also want to keep swimming, training on the bike, and roller skiing/cross country skiing throughout the winter. How am I going to have time to do all of this and keep the house clean, the children cared for, the husband happy and the pets alive? I haven’t figured that part out yet!
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I think you'll do great. You've taken the first step toward a stronger performance, which is to evaluate your areas of improvement. Good luck for a great 2010!
It looks like we have the same plans for the off season
You are going to do great. I love ART, and I have to do some yoga. Good luck!
Sounds like a great plan, Beth. Hope you get in NYC!
Now I don't need to make a plan on what to work on for next year, I'll just use yours!
Good luck on getting in to NYC. Team Flash is planning to participate but Jason hasn't got his golden ticket yet. Maybe next year!
Flexibility is so overrated
sounds like good plans, Beth. All three of those things are on my list too.
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