Rapid Shift of Focus

I made a decision this morning that caused a rapid shift in my training focus.  I’m now officially registered to run the VIA Lehigh Valley Half Marathon on Sunday September 7^th.   As in…only seven short weeks away (and I'm away on vacation one of those weeks!).  I wasn't planning to run a half this year, so aside from the trail runs this week I haven’t run more than three miles since last year.  BUT, someone pretty important to me asked if I was interested in running it, so away I’ll go. I've done three halfs already, so at least I know what to expect. I just need to shift focus and train hard.  The good news? The course has a net elevation drop! I’m somewhat familiar with the area; it should be a pretty nice race.  I’m kind of excited!

I found a six week training plan here that looks pretty doable. I've adapted it for seven and I'm planning to do two XT days (either upper and lower body lifts or a lift day and a functional training class) and only one rest day. The days may shift around some depending on what I decide to do there. I was going to post a version without highlights and notes, but I thought it was important to show that life happens and sometimes you need to adapt and adjust.

I’m going to need to shift my nutrition focus too; get away from the lower carb and higher protein, at least on run days.  Need that fuel!  The nice thing is that this will help me drop off body fat in a hurry (running always leans me down quickly) so once I can REALLY focus on my lifting I should start seeing some major gains!

I don't do trail running...And then I did.

I've been running for somewhere around six years now. Not long after I picked it up I went to our local rail-trail for a run.  HATED.IT. I was flat out miserable.  It was too hard, everything hurt, just rotten all around.  So I decided that I hated trail running and would never again do it. Whenever I'd run some sort of obstacle 5k that would take me off of paved road I was pissed.  I would let it ocmpletely ruin my race.  Well...that all changed yesterday.

After being stuck in a boring business meeting (on a beautiful day in a room with no windows), I decided to go for a run.  The meeting was at an environmental preserve, so there was a lake right there and people told me there were "walking paths."  I was expecting nice paved paths around the lake...imagine my surprise when there was a teeny bit of pavement followed by some very rough trail.  I'm talking rocks, grass, tree roots, that kinda thing.  I got that familiar feeling of dread, but I was so tired of being cooped up indoors that I decided to go for it anyway.  Shockingly enough, I liked it!! I liked it so much that I went for another run today after we finished up!

See, I liked it! Look how happy!

See folks, this just goes to show that attitude--and positive thinking--is everything. Had I let my negative experiences and thoughts take over I would have missed out on two great runs!  Part of the trail I ran went across a dam. What a cool experience!  I saw some truly beautiful sights including lovely lake views and even some deer just chillin' in their natural habitat.  And I got some much needed sunshine and cardio while pushing my body--these were the longest runs I've done in 2014! I feel happy and refreshed and ready to take on the world. 

Let's all make a pact to never say never, and to always give things a second chance.  (Crap, I guess that means I have to try skiing again...)