Where to go from Here

I've been thinking a ton (okay, constantly) lately about my running goals for the next year. I know that I've come a long way since I started running regularly in 2008, but I also know I'd like to get better, faster. In 2010, I focused on adding a marathon to my race schedule and pushing the distance. 2011 was supposed to be my triathlon year, but due to tendonitis from cycling that didn't happen. So what is in store for 2012?

First, the highlights of 2011. I ran more half marathons than in the previous years, and I finally felt comfortable with the distance. I lost the crazy anxiety and truly enjoyed the races, and I took my PR from 2:21 to 2:10. I'll consider that a personal victory! I started training to swim and bike, and even though I missed the triathlon I am very happy with my progress and that I got over my I-can't-swim-at-all mentality. I signed up for a full marathon and backed off to a half, again due to the tendonitis, and that was tough to do but definitely necessary. Overall, this was a good year for me despite how discouraged I felt when I got hurt in August.

Now on to 2012. Should I focus on getting faster in the half? Pushing the distance to a marathon again? Faster, shorter distances? Triathlons? There are so many choices. Lately, I've been itching for a marathon redo, and I'm starting with the Big Sur 21-miler during the April marathon weekend. Kevin and I have wanted to do this one, and we are planning to treat it more like a fun sightseeing/training run than a time goal. I registered for a Duathlon in March, and I'm planning to do a triathlon with my training group at Integrate Performance Fitness. Biking, and especially the interval and lactic threshold training we do, has really improved my ability to pick up my running pace and I'm not ready to give that up.

I'm hoping to get back down to my half marathon PR this spring and to do another marathon. So far the race schedule is shaping up to include:

South Bay Sprint Duathlon - March 11, 2012
Santa Cruz Half Marathon - April 1, 2012
Big Sur 21-miler - April 29, 2012
San Francisco 1st Half Marathon - July 29, 2012

Now I'm contemplating my fall schedule and hope to include another fall marathon. I'm attached to the idea of running the California International Marathon in December, although this one means I have to miss my work holiday party (and I LOVE my work holiday party.) Maybe Santa Barbara in November, or Portland in October? I'm still deciding on my goals and races for 2012, but comment with any suggestions!




Comments

  1. Wow, you cut 11 minutes off of your half mary time? That's amazing! I definitely think you should go for the tri! I'm also here in Cali (Carlsbad) and we are so lucky to have races year-round. Good luck in 2012!

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  2. Good job with the half improvement, yah!

    You asked what a blog gift exchange is...I'm the wrong person (too much stuff in my life already to need more).

    Basically a bunch of people agree to buy running related gifts for each other. Somebody (in the case of the comment you read it would be Jill over at runwithjill.blogspot.com) organizes who is giving to whom.

    In the case of her exchange I think it's already closed but you now know for next year! 8)

    I can (obviously) recommend CIM for your next marathon. Santa Barbara I'm told has a nasty hill to the finish. (UGH). Portland is 'ok' but not a very pretty course from what I've heard.

    I would also heartily recommend Long Beach in October..it has only one hill at about mile 17 (and not very big), good crowd support too!

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  3. Thanks Paul! I appreciate the recommendations too. I have a feeling it'll be CIM, even if I miss the work holiday party.

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  4. I'm racing in South Bay Duathlon and SF Marathon also! Good luck :) Maybe I will see you out there

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  5. Wow, that's a huge jump on your half PR! That's amazing! I say shoot for a great marathon in 2012 and/or possibly a tri.

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  6. Looks like you have a super exciting race season planned! Awesome :)

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