So, what's next?

I’ve taken sometime off from hard training the past two months. Bloomsday was my last race that I actually set a time goal for. It was an amazing experience to run with the Elite Women at this race. In fact, it was quite intimidating just because most of these women are pro runners or college athletes. And... I’m just a mom that runs for her sanity who has very little years of experience. I was also in no decent shape or an athlete in high school. So, I definitely felt out of my comfort zone and discouraged as a running competitor from the start. I truly believe I need to have more confidence in what I am capable of. Seamus says, he knows I’m a much faster runner than I currently am. That I just haven’t found my SPEED yet and once I figure it out he believes I’m going to just fly. What a husband to have such confidence in me! Those are some pretty encouraging words. After Bloomsday, I felt relieved to be done with training and quite excited to take time to rest. I worked so hard at training in the winter and early spring that I felt over-trained... On a positive note, I finished this race with a $250 prize money win! That night after the race, I looked up my final results and saw that I placed as the top 4th WA State Female. I was amazed to see my name on that list! That was unexpected. 

So, what’s next? Well, I will be competing in a Master's (30 yrs+) 5000m race at a USATF certified Track and Field Event on July 26th. So, with that in mind I will take time to really focus on building strength and improving my speed. However, I am learning that as I continue to work on speed it gets harder to cut off running time. What I would call tough running days in the past are now my easy days of running. 

Goals for the 2018 Fall Season:

1. Strength train 3 times per week.

2. Speed train 1-2 times per week with speed training drills. I absolutely LOVE doing SPEED TRAINING DRILLS! They are tough and were once a weakness of mine. I’ve grown to enjoy them.

3. 5K trial run once a month at home. From my experience, trial 5K running has helped improve my 5K speed tremendously. This is that #1 speed, key workout that I love-hate.
4. Train, eat, sleep and rest like an athlete. I need to find that inner confidence that I am an ATHLETE. I don't eat or train as hard as I do to lose weight or look good in a swimsuit. That is a great goal for some but I do it because I am working on my running performance. The end, goal result is to improve my racing times or this Running Journey of mine. I also try to be a great role model for my own children and others. Set a goal and go for it! It just takes discipline, dedication, hard work and most importantly, mental toughness. 

I'm excited for this new training plan that I have began and am looking forward to racing on a track very soon! In the past few months, I have learned that my best distance for racing is the 5K. This is the distance that I have seen the most progress in cutting time. Therefore, I am convinced that this is where I have the most potential at. I've set a long term goal for this distance and that is to someday be able to run less than 5 minute miles for 3.1 miles consistently. It will take time to get there but I believe that I can do it.

Life Changes

In the past month, life has been extra busy. My little family is going through some major life changes. But...good changes.  Seamus has made the decision to farm part-time and has accepted a 5th grade job for the upcoming school year. I'm looking forward to this because we will be working in the same building and will be on the same work schedule. Well, most of the time, except for busy farming times.
We've realized that it's important to take time to live in the moment.  So, we want to give our children the opportunity to see different places and make new experiences. Yesterday, we took our first family day trip to the Walla Walla Whitman Mission. We made great memories sharing history, taking notes and earning a Whitman Mission Ranger Badge. To finish off the trip, we spoiled ourselves with a lunch date and ice cream shop visit. We had such a great time that I am excited for the next family day trip.