Thursday, May 15, 2014

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?

20 comments:

  1. I like hometown races :). Especially if you really want to PR, it's neat to know the course, sleep in your own bed, shower in your own shower, etc. I'd love to run a big destination race just to see the city and enjoy it, but I probably wouldn't go into that super time focused. And it's so amazing that you've dropped so many minutes off your marathon since you first did the race too, I bet you'll do even better this time.

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    1. Thanks Amy! Definitely so much to be said about sleeping in own bed etc!!!

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  2. You are going to be ready for this race and I cannot wait to support you. Honestly I cannot wait to see you reach your goal and feel so amazing finishing. You continue to inspire me with your marathons and how much time you knock off each time.

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    1. This coming from the girl who is going throw down a HUGE marathon PR at Wineglass this year! Can't wait to be there for it!

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  3. I am sure you will rock the race and cant wait to hear about it. I have never travelled farther than an hour for a race. Hometown races are nice as you usually know your surroundings and what to expect. But it would be fun to have a race vacation someday.

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    1. Plan ahead for a mini race vacation, start a little savings fund and think about what a good place would be for the family!

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  4. Great goal! This is so exciting! Thinking back on it, I haven't run a hometown marathon yet so Mohawk-Hudson in October will be my first. I'm actually getting pretty excited since I've run the half a bunch of times and know what to expect. It's flat and fast (although I'm not fast!) and my goal is to REALLY follow my 20-week Hanson's plan this time around. No monkey business! I'd love to shave off a few minutes from my 4:15 PR in Philly in 2012.

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    1. Yay, so excited you are doing M-H, I have heard awesome things about it! You are going to do awesome, I'll want to pick your brain afterwards to see how you like the Hanson plan!

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  5. I love that you are going back to a race that wasn't a great experience so that you can crush it this time around!!! Can't wait to hear all about it.
    I prefer races with minimal traveling - one less thing to think about!!

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    1. Definitely less to think about without the travel! Logistically it couldn't get much easier with this one!

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  6. I'm excited for you. My "Rochester" is the Chicago Marathon. It was my first and it was a disaster. I'd love to go back and run it right again one day :) Good luck with your training and discipline getting ready for this race! You will rock it!

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    1. I think we all have a "Rochester" and it's great to be able to go back some day and make a NEW memory for it! :) You should definitely go back to Chicago at some point, redemption is sweet! Thanks for the support!

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  7. I know you'll rock Rochester!!
    I love traveling for races but running through DC is always special. My "Rochester" race is MCM. I will run MCM again one day and I will kick ass!

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    1. Yessss! You will destroy MCM next time around, even though I think you did stellar this past fall!

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  8. I think having a hometown race be your goal, is brilliant. You can do long runs on the course, you can sleep in your own bed, have family and friends cheering you on, and running in your footsteps, and you can easily keep your eating in check. Best of luck to you!

    My goal is Wineglass, of course. This is the longest I've gone without running a marathon, so I expect big things. Time will tell though.

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    1. Wineglass is going to be awesome, cant wait to be there cheering for you!

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  9. I prefer local races so much better than destination races. I love to travel, it's one of my favorite things in the world, but not combined with racing, especially a goal race.
    I love your attitude about training with one main goal in mind, I really need to learn this from you. To me every race is race effort, and that has lead me to a bit of a burnout, especially when racing often.
    I'm hoping to run a winter marathon in January 15, so staying focused on that from September onward will be a must.

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    1. Believe me I am working on the one goal thing, it's hard for me and this is the first time I'm ever really committing to it like that. But I think it will really pay off. What Marathon are you looking at in January?

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  10. I love hometown races! It's always fun to race in similar surroundings. You are gonna ROCK Rochester training! And then you'll show the course who's boss!

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