Sunday, July 21, 2013

What's Next?

One of the biggest questions I have been getting lately is....
what's next?

It's been a hell of a year so far. Some familiar things (5k, 5k, 5k, 5k15k, 13.1, 26.2), sprinkled with some new things (30k,  A Relay, A Duathlon, Sprint triathlon, and Half-Iron distance triathlon). This has kept me busy, and anything but bored. 

I really feel like mixing things up this year has been really good for me both mentally and physically. My recovery time is quicker than before, I generally feel stronger and in better shape than before and mentally my stress-control has been amazing. 

As of this point, I have one more "big" goal race this year. Wineglass Marathon. This doesn't mean I am not running other races, actually I have 5 races between now and then (See Races, Paces & Places) and that might go up one more. It's no secret I love racing I actually used to race much more but I have gotten smarter about planning them over the years. But Wineglass is the goal, a PR would be anything less than 3:21.
I have a tentative plan I will be following, but as always it is subject to change- I don't do cookie cutter training plans. I believe in adapting as necessary, to how I feel, to what my schedule is like and to just life in general. This works for me, very well actually....BUT I'd like to stick as closely to this plan as possible, I believe it will give me the best results. 

The plan itself is a combination of a few different plans. The concocted plan has a base from Advanced Marathoning, some additions from Run Faster, Running Tough as well as some personal favorite workouts of my own.

It's  pretty straight forward; my miles are going to be higher than I have done for my previous 5 marathons, and there will be more "pace specific" runs/workouts which will help me build a stronger Marathon Pace base. I also plan on keeping up with the cross training, I noticed a significant difference in my running while triathlon training-- the cross training was making me able to put more miles in, without the damage to the body.

Is there a plan for after Wineglass? Yes, to have FUN! I'll run plenty of races I am sure of all distances but more than anything I am looking forward to a few months of running without a reason (aka not officially training). I have a few races in mind but nothing too crazy, this will give me time to focus on other things (like road tripping with Heather to watch Hollie kick butt at NYC).  I think that will make for a really relaxed few months, and then hit Boston training hard when the time is right!

As for triathlons--I may do another smaller one this year, and I may not. I'm not leaning one way or another, I simply just don't know if there will be time. 

To answer a question I have gotten a lot this past week, yes I will be doing another half-iron distance triathlon and yes I will be doing a full Ironman- NEXT YEAR. The plan right now is Musselman 70.3 again, and Ironman Cozumel in the late fall of next year. This has been the plan for a while, and I see no reason to change it. Although part of me has considered an earlier IM, as I like the thought of having at least one IM in my maiden name. Something about hearing "Laura Anderson you are an Ironman", although if Cozumel is the first one I do, I will be more than happy hearing my married name as well (we get married in September of next year). 


What about you, WHAT'S NEXT?

Do you share ALL of your goals?




23 comments:

  1. Good luck with training for wineglass. Like you, I'm not into solid, concrete training plans. For one, many of the ones for marathons or half marathons don't build in cross training or take that into account (big difference in doing a restorative yoga class as your cross training and doing CrossFit... lol. Or any of your swim/bike training which is obviously tough on the body too). And yeah- there's life in there, like running and working out for fun and the enjoyment of it :).

    Good luck with Musselman if you do it again, hopefully it will be even better next year since you'll know a lot about it :)

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    1. You gotta be able to go with the flow, following plans too rigidly can take the fun out of it, and can seriously impact your body if you don't listen to it!

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  2. I LOVE your goal graphic! I'll be running Wineglass (albeit at least 30 minutes slower than you) and am looking forward to hopefully meeting in person?? It's going to be such a fun race!

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    1. Thank you, I was super proud of myself for that one LOL!!

      I'm so excited you are doing Wineglass (how did I now know this sooner!), we definitely will have to meet up in person:)

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  3. I love having room for flexibility in my marathon training, too. You've had an awesome year, and I have no doubt you have a sub 3:20 in you!!

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  4. Good luck with all of your training!! I am also flexible with my training plans, life gets so busy that you have to be flexible.

    I am currently training for MCM. It's my firt marathon so I don't have any other races planned. I share most of my goal. It helps me keep myself accountable.

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    1. You are going to do awesome at MCM, so pumped for you!!!

      Sharing goals definitely does help hold you accountable (which is why I share 2/3 of my goals for races). I always like to keep my A goal to myself, it gives me a little control I guess.

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  5. I'm not sure what is next for me. I have to get my eating under control to reach my goals. All the junk food is doing me in! No, I don't share most of my goals for the reason just stated.

    Wow! You are quite the accomplished runner. Can't wait to hear about the wedding. September is not that far off!

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    1. I seriously need to have a reality check with my junk food, it's been much worse than normal lately!

      Wedding planning is crazy, the wedding is now a little over 13 months away (September of next year), and I know it is going to fly by!

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  6. Yay! Sounds like a good plan to me!

    I'm with you, I train my way, and what works for me! People seem to get too wrapped up in following plans exactly.

    I usually don't tell everybody my goal, though I do share it with some people.

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    1. I feel like if I get trapped in the plan so deeply that I lose the fun and excitement of training. And races are fabulous, I love them but you need to enjoy training too!

      I don't tell everyone ALL my goals, there are a select few who know my A goals but that's about it. I think its good to not have everyone know everything :)

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  7. I'm not sure why. you have ANY other racing. other than triathlon. Once you go tri, you can't go bye-bye... well I can't think of anything that really rhymes well...
    JUST kidding I actually blurted out yesterday on a run with my dad that I'd consider the Philly marathon in November, which would be two months after my half-iron, but that is just STUPID talk.

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    1. you could TOTALLY do Philly after your 70.3, your endurance will be high and have a great base from 70.3 training! That is not stupid talk!! Don't sell your fabulous self short!

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  8. I know you are going to achieve under 3:20 at least! I cannot wait and to be inspired by how your training goes this summer and into fall. It's so hard to believe wineglass is only 11 weeks away...we were hanging out 11 weeks ago. Hell, our 20 miler was 3 months ago! (WTF!)

    I think your plan sounds completely concrete and you are right to go with the flow. No need to stress yourself out getting to a certain mile point and I truly think cross training is so beneficial for the body too.

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  9. I have no idea what's next for me but I hope it includes some running! I definitely noticed a difference in my strength when I started taking spin and swimming a TON. Actually, I really liked the changes I saw in my body and I did feel stronger! Cross-training is really important and since you're not pounding away, it definitely helps your body recover! I can't wait to see you kick ass at wine glass!!

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    1. You definitely have running and many other amazing things in your future....recovery and beyond!:)

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  10. You did awesome in your 70.3! So proud of you! I'm sure you'll do great in your marathon! As for my goals, don't really have any right now. I just need to get my mo-jo back first. As for next year though, I'd really like to do St. George 70.3 and Boise 70.3, but don't know if I'll be able to afford it.

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    1. Thank you Ara! Sometimes focusing on the mojo is a good thing, take some time for yourself and dive into those 70.3's next year! Start saving!!(I know I am saving for IM!)

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  11. Does the Wineglass Marathon involve stopping and drinking wine along the way? I'm guessing not if your goal is 3:21...

    Next for me is the Niagara Falls 10K, then a potential half early next year. Honestly, I never thought I could do long races, but reading your blog has made me even want to aspire to do a triathlon. I think it's just amazing, and you deserve a chance to just run as much or as little as you want!

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    1. Wineglass does not involve that BUT there is a marathon in France that is on my bucket list that has fruit and wine at each water stop (basically you walk this thing and are drunk at finish).

      Niagara Falls is such a great race, I did the half last year and it finishes in same place as the 10k, great views and just awesome atmosphere you will love it!

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  12. Wow. You have such big amazing goals and I know you will crush them. I too share goals. I do it because it helps me stay accountable.

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    1. Thanks Abby!! Gonna take some work but I will get there! Accountability is a big reason I share MOST of my goals (but not all)

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