Change of direction

If you haven't already noticed, I've been blogging less about training recently and more about my so called life. The training is there, but it's more sporadic and falls victim to wedding planning and work exhaustion more than I'd like to admit.

I'm at a good point now to reassess and make a plan for the rest of the season -- what I want to do and how.

I know I'd like to continue to race. That's a given. Sprints would be a good way to keep me honest, especially since the only Oly's around here seem to be on wedding designated weekend. (And there are sooo many wedding designated weekends!)

But I'm also thinking of adding a different goal as a primary one. I want to improve on my running and safely build up to a solid weekly mileage. I also want to tone up and lose some weight before the wedding. Nothing drastic, just so my back and arms are nice and tight and I can feel comfortable in my wedding dress.

(Which is soooo pretty. I tried it on again yesterday for my FMIL, and I really, really like it. I'm having an issue since it doesn't really match the heiloom pearls or my mother's ring that I intend to wear, but I'll figure that all out later. For now, I'm just happy it's the right dress for me. The ivory version that's mineallmine is due in October 10th. Sqeeeeeel!)

So, I'm in the process of putting together a plan to keep my swimming and biking in line for sprint distance races, as well as build my running efforts. I find that running is the best weight loss bang for my buck, and I miss having higher mileage each week. So, a Sprint distance run-focused plan. I'll return to the ball of hell in the basement and the Elf's strength circuits to build my upper body and core.

If anybody is interested, I can (figure out somehow to) post my spreadsheet here so you can see my plan and progress.

I think there should be some goals involved, to keep me on my toes. Right? Here are the one's I've thought through so far...

August:

• Meet at least 80% of my training sessions (frequency) *
  
• Work up to 25 pushups (continuous) and 50 pushups (in one day)
• Hit a 5k in 33:36 minutes (10:30 pace)
• Run 4 x week (min) **
  
• Lose 5 lbs weight (160 lbs) ***
  

September:

• Meet at least 80% of my training sessions (frequency)
• Work up to 50 pushups (continuous) and 100 pushups (in one day)
• Hit a 5k in 32:00 minutes (10:00 pace)
• Run 4 x week (min)
• Lose 5 additional lbs weight (155 lbs)

October:

• Meet at least 80% of my training sessions (frequency)
• Maintain pushups goal
• Hit a 5k with mile splits all under 10:00 pace
• Run 4 x week (min)
• Lose 5 additional lbs weight (150 lbs)

November:

• Maintain pushups goal
• Run at least 3 x week
• Maintain weight loss (150)
• Stay healthy for the November 22nd Big Day.

I'll keep y'all updated on the plan this week. It's almost done, but I need a little time to work on it tonight, just to get the kinks out.

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* I struggle with consistency, so this is a biggie for me.
** Rest weeks will be shorter, easier runs. But the frequency will stay the same. I think it helps with my knee health to keep the frequency, but dial down the intensity and duration. Time off from running at all seems to hurt my knee, rather than help.
*** I'm currently at 165, and have been here pretty consistently for a long time.