It’s been about a month.
I type that, and I have trouble believing it. It’s been about a month since I last ran.
The last time I ran, I ran 26.2 miles. I wasn’t in the best spirit. I wasn’t in as good shape and I would have hoped. It was cold. It was threatening to rain or maybe even snow. There were moments in my second marathon when I felt like quitting. There were miles where I swore I would never run a marathon again, and maybe even never run again. In the end I set a PR by just under 3 minutes. It was a PR but it didn’t change my mood.
So I took time off.
I decided a month would be a great time to continue with my other fitness passion – barre (more on that later). I decided I was going to reassess what disappointed me about my second marathon. I took notes. I wrote down impressions and observations on everything from my training regimen, to what I ate, to what I wore to how I felt. I realized I love running, and I just need to find a way to make it fun again. I need a new challenge that will provide me with the results I know I can acheive. So, I came up with a plan.
My major race in 2013 will be a half marathon and perhaps a few 10 milers. I’d like to work on speed, and really push myself mentally and physically. This is the year to get fast. This is the year to eat well. This is the year to become a lean, mean running machine.
It all begins today…about a month after I last ran. It’s Election Day when people flock to the polls to have their voices heard. I voted early this morning. I waited in a line for well over an hour. This evening I will ease up to another line – the starting line. Tonight I begin training to become the runner I know I can be. I know it won’t be easy, but I know it will be worth it.
Fit For The Finish Line 
Your body and mind needed that time off – good for you for listening to it! What sort of training are you doing for speed? I’ve done some various fartleks and interval circuits, and I really hate them, but I do realize that they help. I want to work on speed too… so I’d love to hear more about what you are doing! ❤
I have mainly done tempo runs and pace runs in the past. I’ll probably stick to that this month. After that, I hope to integrate some 400s and 200s at 5K pace…but before I get there I need to build up my base to avoid injury. Do not want to go there again!