2018 Running Predictions

While the new year has been in swing for a few weeks now, I feel like my year is still first starting.  I kicked off the new year running 4 races in 4 days in Disney as a part of the Dopey Challenge, and now I am taking some time off to recover from surgery.  Since I'm forced to take the extra time off (which is probably not the worst thing in the world, considering I finished Ironman 70.3 Maine in late August, Philly Marathon in late November, and now Dopey in early January), it's a great time to sit back and try and set some new goals for the coming year.

Marathon PR or ER

Guys, I was so close to this in 2017.  Currently, my marathon PR is 4:26 from 2013, but my half marathon PR of 1:56 is from last fall, so I know I can at least edge closer to the 4 hour mark.  When I was training for the Philly Marathon, I was using NYRR's Virtual Trainer program.  The selling point of this training plan to me is that the plan is dynamic, meaning as you input your training runs, the program adjusts your mileage, and predicts your marathon time.  At end of the program, it predicted a 4:05-4:10 finish for me.  While I thought that was a little ambitious the program was on drugs for thinking I can run a marathon that fast, I did feel confident that I would be able to smash my old PR.  Unfortunately, Mother Nature had other plans for me on race day.  Winds were gusting at over 50 mph, and I had to run into crazy headwinds for the majority of the race, which of course made the race that much more difficult. I finished in 4:29, which is still my second best marathon time, but not the time I thought i was capable of running.  I also managed to run the marathon during Dopey in 4:31 - which is my 3rd fastest time - which I think is pretty promising considering I ran a 5K, 10K, and half marathon consecutively the days before, plus walked an additional 8-10 miles a day in theme parks. 26.2 in 2018 - I am coming for you!

Ready to run Philly!

Get My Nutritional Act Together

From late 2014 until mid 2016, I sort of let my weight slowly get a bit out of control.  I would never say I was overweight per say, but my weight was the highest it's ever been in my life.   Most of my clothes did not fit well, my running was really suffering,  and I just did not feel good about myself.  Training for my first half 70.3 helped snapped me out of it that (have you seen how unforgiving those tri suits are?!) along with very diligently tracking my food using My Fitness Pal and cutting back on my wine.  I sort of let that slide in second half of 2017, and while i haven't gained back all the weight, I have gained back a decent amount.  I'm hoping to find that balance this year between not having to track every little crumb I eat on an app for the rest of my life, but still being able to look and feel good.

Right before Ironman 70.3 Atlantic City, where I felt best

Find a Strength Training Program I Can Stick With

Ask me to bike or run for 3 hours at a time - sure, no problem.  Ask me to lift a few weights for 20-30 minutes, and I can't seem to get it done.  Strength training is something I always seem to struggle with.  I generally do not enjoy it, I do not feel like I know what I am doing, and I don't think I am very good at it (although in full disclosure, I am not a great runner or triathlete either, and that hasn't seemed to stop me, either!) But I do understand the important of weight lifting for overall fitness and in maintaining my weight, so I need to figure something out.  I am hoping to find a class or two that I enjoy enough to be able to incorporate into my weekly routine.

What are you hoping to achieve this next year? I'm linking up with the lovely ladies on Tuesdays on The Run