What's Next v.3.05

I mean there's always a next, and a next....lord only knows what will come after this 'next'.

Secret is though, this has been 'what's next' since probably January when the idea popped into my head while running mindless miles on the treadmill(while it was stupid cold outside). I've always been a runner who uses visualization, and it works really well for me during training to keep me focused. While plodding away on the hamster-whizzle, I caught myself day dreaming about a race, one that I knew was going to be  just what I needed.

Boston!

No, not Boston.

.............

.....................................

............

Rochester.

What? 

Yeah. (*crickets*)

Rochester Marathon. Not Boston, Chicago, Disney, and not some fabulous European race with wine...ROCHESTER.

There I was training for Boston, and all I could think about was cruising down the canal path and demolishing a course that once ate me alive. 

I told a few people my plans but for the most part kept it pretty low, until recently. Every training run I did, sure I was thinking about Boston but I was also thinking ahead to Rochester. 

I want Rochester bad, like really bad. I ran the race in 2011(my second marathon), I went in under-prepared and somehow held steady pace until 21 when the wheels didn't just fall off...they fell off and rolled away. Those last few miles were a death march complete with tears, swearing, complete breakdowns and legs that just gave the eff up.

Lets just say these were early on in the race. 

Here I am 2.5 years later, and I'm finally ready to take that on again. Since then, I have run 6 more marathons and dropped my time 28 minutes. But more than the time difference; I'm simply a stronger, smarter and more driven runner. Rochester has been the elephant sitting on my chest for a long time, it's time I get strong enough to kick Dumbo off of me. (I'm totally fighting the urge to create a meme of me running with cartoon Dumbo on my back.... someone get on that please). 

I do have races between now and then but my focus is 100% on Rochester and getting to that start line as prepared as possible and the finish line as fast as possible. 

So what's the plan? Well that is probably the most loaded question of all time, but the simplest way to say it is....back to basics. I have some kick ass guidance going into this cycle and that will help push me AND hold me accountable for my training. My miles will be going up, easy days being taken easier and hard days pushing double. I will also be doing more specific training for my goals, both running and in the gym. Something I have really lacked is strict focus on ONE goal. I have always been training for multiple things at once, and right now that just won't work. Time to get down to business and have my heart and head where they belong...on the run.

After CIM in December, I wrote about how 2014 was the year of trying to be more well rounded and also focusing on triathlons more. This is really where the biggest changes are going to be seen as the year progresses. My goals are drastically different than they were before, and my race schedule is going to be changing to go with it. This is for many reasons, but mainly so I can focus on my top priorities.

So September 21, 2014 is my next marathon and I couldn't be more excited for it. It's my hometown course, one that I know very well (and have the advantage of training on it constantly), and will be easy to have friends and family come support. Last fall was a great marathon season for me, but my motivation was purely time driven. This fall I want the time AND the race, go big or go home right?

Hometown Races: Love or Hate?

I really like travelling for races but I think getting redemption at Rochester this year will really help me move forward.

Anyone else already decided on their fall goal race?